The Great Gilly Hopkins

 Novel by Katherine Paterson.

This is a book about a toughened foster kid who is changed by the unconditional love of a foster mother. Some readers might be concerned about Gilly’s defects (racist ideas, swearing, etc) being emulated, but I don’t think her behavior is portrayed as anything to aspire to. Instead, I think the messages of growth and change, love and forgiveness, courage and kindness, and hope and healing, ring true, even with the bittersweet ending.