The Great Gilly Hopkins is a rare bird: a 1970s classic that doesn't feel like it's covered in dust. Gilly is angry, manipulative, and brilliant—a combination that still resonates with kids who feel like the world is stacked against them. It’s a tough read in spots, particularly because Gilly uses prejudice as a weapon, but the payoff is a profound lesson in what family actually looks like.

If your kid is tired of 'perfect' protagonists and wants something with real emotional teeth, this is the one. It’s a great bridge into more mature YA literature because it treats the reader like someone who can handle a story where not every problem is solved with a hug.