The film is based on the novel of the same name by author Katherine Paterson. The protagonist of the film is Gilly Hopkins, an extremely stubborn little girl. She has a mother that she had never met, and had to move from house to house foster mother of another foster mother. The story begins when Gilly knew that she was about to be moved to a new home, so she caused enough trouble. Then she met a woman named Maime Trotter, a woman who wants to become a mother that Gilly need. While Gilly strenuous quarrel, Trotter must prove to be a good relationship can be of benefit to both. The film is a story about the human significance and motherhood.