What do you think?
Rate this book
Gertie's Leap to Greatness
Gertie Reece Foy is 100% Not-From-Concentrate awesome. She has a daddy who works on an oil rig, a great-aunt who always finds the lowest prices at the Piggly Wiggly, and two loyal best friends. So when her absent mother decides to move away from their small town, Gertie sets out on her greatest mission yet: becoming the best fifth grader in the universe to show her mother exactly what she'll be leaving behind. There's just one problem: Seat-stealing new girl Mary Sue Spivey wants to be the best fifth grader, too. And there is simply not enough room at the top for the two of them.
256 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 4, 2016
31 people are currently reading
2462 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 438 reviews
August 30, 2015
Sometimes you read a book and it reminds you of why children's literature not only matters, but is vital to the lives of young readers.
May 10, 2016
Everything you have heard about this book is true.
And more.
I was in love with Gertie before 20 pgs had gone by.
My heart felt for her.
I often wanted to give her a hug.
She made me laugh and smile.
You will want to read this book. You will want to read this book out loud. You will want to pass this book on to readers.
And more.
I was in love with Gertie before 20 pgs had gone by.
My heart felt for her.
I often wanted to give her a hug.
She made me laugh and smile.
You will want to read this book. You will want to read this book out loud. You will want to pass this book on to readers.
October 24, 2016
Oh Gertie...I had such high hopes for you and that this would be the feel-good book of the year, but I just have so many questions. Why is your name Gertie (and the other kids Jean, Roy, Mary Sue, etc.) like it's the 1950s, yet there are cell phones? How is it that your mother "abandoned" you, yet only moved THREE MILES away and you still never see each other? Why are the other kids SO mean to you and why is there NO adult intervention? And most importantly, if this book is called "Gertie's Leap to Greatness" where was this s0-called "leap" to greatness? I didn't see it. Gertie intentionally hurt several of those closest to her during her quest for greatness and there was never any apology, any lesson learned or any real resolution. Unfortunately, I realize this may be reality for some kids, but there was just far too much cruelty in this story for me to be able to recommend with good conscience.
June 24, 2017
I will here admit that when I saw Jillian Tamaki named as the illustrator of this book I thought it was a graphic novel and was really looking forward to reading it. When I discovered it's a novel with a few illustrations, I was disappointed. But, I gave it a read anyway. And...I found it pretty disappointing. I think with a bit more context, a touch more humor, and maybe a bit more growing self-awareness on Gertie's part, I might have appreciated it more. Also, I didn't think the conflict between the wealthier "outsider" whose family comes to promote nature conservation vs. the local family with father supporting the family by working on an oil rig got explored or resolved fully. I think the topic deserves a bit more care and sensitivity. What did I like about this book? A non-traditional family. A complex girl protagonist who is learning as she goes. Meditations on the messy nature of family and friendship and just being human.
August 3, 2020
با اینکه کتاب برای دبستانیها نوشته شده، واقعا جذاب و پرکششه و منِ بزرگسال رو صفحهبهصفحه دنبال خودش کشوند. شخصیتپردازیها خیلی عالی هستن و آدم راحت با شخصیتها همذاتپنداری میکنه. پنج ستاره ندادم بهش، چون بهنظرم قسمتهای آخر کتاب رو میشد خیلی عالیتر درآورد. جای خالی بعضی اتفاقها واقعاً حس میشد و همینطور اندکی شتابزدگی در جمعکردن داستان.ـ
October 14, 2016
Thank you to NetGalley and Farrar, Strauss & Giroux (BYR) for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Well oh dear. I truly wish I could give this a higher rating but unfortunately this really missed the mark for me. Now obviously this is a middle-grade book so one could argue I'm not the right audience for this and I would not quarrel with that assessment. I actually would be interested to hear an opinion from the the age range for which this is written. To start, I thought this was a book written in the 1950's - it was only when it is mentioned about a child having a cell phone that I realized it was supposed to be modern day. And this left me puzzled. All the children's names are so outdated as to be noticeable and jarring: Gertrude, Junior, Jean, Roy and Mary Sue are all the main players here. There is also some contest regarding summer speeches which also felt strangely antiquated, unfair and strangely subjective. Almost the whole time I'm reading this book I'm wondering if California is so progressive (and my children's school in particular) because I had to do some serious suspension of belief that Mary Sue (and eventually the other kids) would get away with the level of cruelty and bullying they subject Gertie to. An exclusionary club (complete with picketing students and publicity on school grounds) that attacked a fellow student's family? Umm, no. A school secretary that favors some students and visibly hands them chocolates when they deliver a note? Umm, no. A school play with a starring role that is gender specific? Umm, no. Add in an unhealthy dose of precociousness and a mother who abandons her child but lives in the same town and starts a new one and it was just too over the top for me. Of course there is a happy ending here but it is too little, too late. There is an unnecessary amount of school-sanctioned oppression that it sucked what little joy there was in the book. I do think the author will find a niche with this heroine - it has some shades of Jerry Spinelli in there and I did admire Gertie's resilience in the face of overwhelming sadness but unfortunately Gertie was just not my cup of tea.
Well oh dear. I truly wish I could give this a higher rating but unfortunately this really missed the mark for me. Now obviously this is a middle-grade book so one could argue I'm not the right audience for this and I would not quarrel with that assessment. I actually would be interested to hear an opinion from the the age range for which this is written. To start, I thought this was a book written in the 1950's - it was only when it is mentioned about a child having a cell phone that I realized it was supposed to be modern day. And this left me puzzled. All the children's names are so outdated as to be noticeable and jarring: Gertrude, Junior, Jean, Roy and Mary Sue are all the main players here. There is also some contest regarding summer speeches which also felt strangely antiquated, unfair and strangely subjective. Almost the whole time I'm reading this book I'm wondering if California is so progressive (and my children's school in particular) because I had to do some serious suspension of belief that Mary Sue (and eventually the other kids) would get away with the level of cruelty and bullying they subject Gertie to. An exclusionary club (complete with picketing students and publicity on school grounds) that attacked a fellow student's family? Umm, no. A school secretary that favors some students and visibly hands them chocolates when they deliver a note? Umm, no. A school play with a starring role that is gender specific? Umm, no. Add in an unhealthy dose of precociousness and a mother who abandons her child but lives in the same town and starts a new one and it was just too over the top for me. Of course there is a happy ending here but it is too little, too late. There is an unnecessary amount of school-sanctioned oppression that it sucked what little joy there was in the book. I do think the author will find a niche with this heroine - it has some shades of Jerry Spinelli in there and I did admire Gertie's resilience in the face of overwhelming sadness but unfortunately Gertie was just not my cup of tea.
February 29, 2016
I read Gertie all in one day yesterday! Couldn't put it down. I was fighting for her, and for a while was disgusted with her teacher, until later in the book. The teacher in me just did not like her rivals! It is a very special book, and the ending left me wanting more Gertie! Fabulous! 5 stars!
September 20, 2016
Originally posted at Log Cabin Library
Opening Line: "The bullfrog was only half dead, which was perfect."
Gertie's Leap to Greatness reads like a classic story with a memorable main character, strong messages, and has the same appeal of a Ramona Quimby book. I can see this as a class read along. One of my favorite scenes was Gertie's reaction to her Aunt serving peas for dinner, the very same reaction I would have had at her age. What makes it most fun are the black and white illustrations by Jillian Tamaki. While reading, I really couldn't help feeling for poor Gertie, she struck me as a very lonely girl. Like Gertie, I was trying to understand why her mother left in the first place, and those feelings that Gertie had of not feeling like she wasn't important enough for her mother, really made me want to give her a really big hug. The sad thing is there are kids out there now who probably desperately want that love and affection and can relate to much of what Gertie felt too. This passage of Gertie trying to process what it felt like for her mother living with them before she moved out really touched me " being with them was like wearing a pair of shoes that were too tight. You could limp along for a while, but your feet would just hurt more and more until you were sure that if you walked one step further in those shoes, they'd squeeze your toes off." The loneliness that Gertie must have felt being in the same town as her mother, seeing her house, even running into each other once in awhile. And now her mother was getting ready to get remarried and move away. I really came to dislike Gertie's mother. At least Gertie had her Aunt Rae at home, who always seemed to look out for her. Gertie is such a smart, lovely little girl and her optimistic personality really seems to shine through. She's the first to point out when her father tries to explain that her mother left because she wasn't happy , that "although sometimes she isn't happy about going to school, she still has to go and she's never happy about going to church, but Aunt Rae makes her go." A character that I won't soon forget. Ultimately the story is less about the reasons why Gertie's mom left and more about Gertie's realization that she doesn't need to prove anything to her mother. That she is good enough just the way she is, and she is "gleaming with greatness." Overall, a very lovely story and I look forward to seeing what Kate Beasley writes next.
*I received an E-ARC from the publisher via Edelweiss Above the Treeline*
Opening Line: "The bullfrog was only half dead, which was perfect."
Gertie's Leap to Greatness reads like a classic story with a memorable main character, strong messages, and has the same appeal of a Ramona Quimby book. I can see this as a class read along. One of my favorite scenes was Gertie's reaction to her Aunt serving peas for dinner, the very same reaction I would have had at her age. What makes it most fun are the black and white illustrations by Jillian Tamaki. While reading, I really couldn't help feeling for poor Gertie, she struck me as a very lonely girl. Like Gertie, I was trying to understand why her mother left in the first place, and those feelings that Gertie had of not feeling like she wasn't important enough for her mother, really made me want to give her a really big hug. The sad thing is there are kids out there now who probably desperately want that love and affection and can relate to much of what Gertie felt too. This passage of Gertie trying to process what it felt like for her mother living with them before she moved out really touched me " being with them was like wearing a pair of shoes that were too tight. You could limp along for a while, but your feet would just hurt more and more until you were sure that if you walked one step further in those shoes, they'd squeeze your toes off." The loneliness that Gertie must have felt being in the same town as her mother, seeing her house, even running into each other once in awhile. And now her mother was getting ready to get remarried and move away. I really came to dislike Gertie's mother. At least Gertie had her Aunt Rae at home, who always seemed to look out for her. Gertie is such a smart, lovely little girl and her optimistic personality really seems to shine through. She's the first to point out when her father tries to explain that her mother left because she wasn't happy , that "although sometimes she isn't happy about going to school, she still has to go and she's never happy about going to church, but Aunt Rae makes her go." A character that I won't soon forget. Ultimately the story is less about the reasons why Gertie's mom left and more about Gertie's realization that she doesn't need to prove anything to her mother. That she is good enough just the way she is, and she is "gleaming with greatness." Overall, a very lovely story and I look forward to seeing what Kate Beasley writes next.
*I received an E-ARC from the publisher via Edelweiss Above the Treeline*
March 27, 2016
Gertie has a mission. And her missions always work out. But this one, her plan to get her absent mother to notice that Gertie is “one hundred percent not-from-concentrate awesome,” is not going so well. The new girl, Mary Sue, seems to outshine ( and outsmart) Gertie in almost everything. And her mother still seems to be keen on moving away.
First, Gertie. Oh, Gertie! Gertie has so much gumption and realness--Beasley has created a character so endearing and tangible, she’s sure to live on in the pantheon of of kid lit heroines--Ramona, Matilda, Harriet, Anne, Pippi, etc., etc. She’s a little weird, she’s determined, and her heart is larger than even she realizes. You, dear reader, will love her.
Gertie’s fight to become the “best fifth-grader in the universe” overlays her deeper longing to bring her mother back where she thinks she belongs--back with Gertie and her father. The profound cruelty Gertie encounters from her fellow students on her quest--bullying catalyzed by Mary Sue and intensified as more students (all too easily) join in--is heartbreaking in its accuracy. Beasley deftly explores the subtle unkindnesses that can break children down, utilizing perfectly quirky humor and a brave little protagonist to keep the story from getting to heavy to bear.
Gertie’s Leap to Greatness shows, with whip-smart prose, that often, a journey to greatness happens not in one, huge, dramatic surge, but in tiny little steps from one little triumph to another, leading you right back to the wonderful, unique person you’ve been all along. Mission accomplished.
First, Gertie. Oh, Gertie! Gertie has so much gumption and realness--Beasley has created a character so endearing and tangible, she’s sure to live on in the pantheon of of kid lit heroines--Ramona, Matilda, Harriet, Anne, Pippi, etc., etc. She’s a little weird, she’s determined, and her heart is larger than even she realizes. You, dear reader, will love her.
Gertie’s fight to become the “best fifth-grader in the universe” overlays her deeper longing to bring her mother back where she thinks she belongs--back with Gertie and her father. The profound cruelty Gertie encounters from her fellow students on her quest--bullying catalyzed by Mary Sue and intensified as more students (all too easily) join in--is heartbreaking in its accuracy. Beasley deftly explores the subtle unkindnesses that can break children down, utilizing perfectly quirky humor and a brave little protagonist to keep the story from getting to heavy to bear.
Gertie’s Leap to Greatness shows, with whip-smart prose, that often, a journey to greatness happens not in one, huge, dramatic surge, but in tiny little steps from one little triumph to another, leading you right back to the wonderful, unique person you’ve been all along. Mission accomplished.
June 26, 2016
I LOVED THIS BOOK! It was so stinking adorable! I grew up with Beverly Cleary's Ramona series and Judy Blum's Fudge series so this book totally took me back to my 10 year old self. Gertie is a determined, adventurous, stubborn, fifth grader. She lives with her aunt because her dad works on an oil rig and can only come home a few days at a time. Gertie's mom left when she was a baby and believes if she is the best fifth grader in the whole class, her mom will have to take her back. However, on the first day of school, there is a new girl who threatens to become the best fifth grader. Her name is Mary Sue and she moved from California because her dad is making a movie. What ensues is a rivalry between the two of them. I love Gertie's determination to accomplish all of her goals even when it seems the whole fifth grade class is against her. There are some laugh out loud moments and adorable illustrations in this book as well. This is Ms. Beasley's debut novel and it sounds like it will be a series. I definitely look forward to more of her books.
February 6, 2017
Oh, Gertie. This book broke my heart into a million wee pieces. It's really a wonderful book, though.
Gertie wants to be the best fifth grader that ever lived. We begin the book with Gertie creating her "what I did on my summer vacation" story. By her fifth grade year she was well aware that these stories were a competition, and Gertie needed to be the best! Gertie didn't count on there being a new girl in class this year - a new girl from California who knows movie stars.
Gertie's Leap to Greatness follows Gertie's fifth grade year and her struggle to be the best.
This book is adorable and horrible all at the same time. Kids can be so cruel to one another, and growing up is such a struggle. By the time I learned why Gertie needed to be so great, I was just a mess of broken pieces.
This is the type of children's literature that stands the test of time. I saw elements of my own childhood in the pages. I saw some of the struggles my own children are going through in school with their teachers and their peers. If you are looking for an excellent book for your kids or you happen to be like me and you've never outgrown reading kid lit, there's a lot to experience in this one little book.
3.5 stars
Gertie wants to be the best fifth grader that ever lived. We begin the book with Gertie creating her "what I did on my summer vacation" story. By her fifth grade year she was well aware that these stories were a competition, and Gertie needed to be the best! Gertie didn't count on there being a new girl in class this year - a new girl from California who knows movie stars.
Gertie's Leap to Greatness follows Gertie's fifth grade year and her struggle to be the best.
This book is adorable and horrible all at the same time. Kids can be so cruel to one another, and growing up is such a struggle. By the time I learned why Gertie needed to be so great, I was just a mess of broken pieces.
This is the type of children's literature that stands the test of time. I saw elements of my own childhood in the pages. I saw some of the struggles my own children are going through in school with their teachers and their peers. If you are looking for an excellent book for your kids or you happen to be like me and you've never outgrown reading kid lit, there's a lot to experience in this one little book.
3.5 stars
February 13, 2025
LEAP? I think not. Also the name??? What??
‘I never get to see my mom’ SHE LIVES LIKE 3 BLOCKS AWAY FROM YOU?? WHAT DO YOU MEAN????
‘I never get to see my mom’ SHE LIVES LIKE 3 BLOCKS AWAY FROM YOU?? WHAT DO YOU MEAN????
August 23, 2019
Es un libro hermoso 😭❤️
Al principio no esperaba mucho, pero conforme fue avanzando, Gertie se ganó mi corazón.
Es un libro con una historia y mensaje hermosos que debe ser leído por todos ✨
Al principio no esperaba mucho, pero conforme fue avanzando, Gertie se ganó mi corazón.
Es un libro con una historia y mensaje hermosos que debe ser leído por todos ✨
August 20, 2016
4 1/2 stars for me, but worthy of rounding up (loved all except one thing--more about that later). Gertie, oh dear, dear Gertie, I want to hug you and then pull you back from me and laugh at your delightful passion and purpose and attitude, but then I want to pull you in again for a long tight hug to help make up a teensy bit for all those hugs you never got from your mom. You are such a joyous, flawed character who makes me laugh out loud and who breaks my heart all at the same time. Gertie Reece Foy, I love you!
And author, Kate Beasley, how do you expect me to believe this is your debut book. No way! The only way to explain it is that you must have been an author in an earlier life of yours (that's my explanation and I'm sticking to it!). I have not read a book with more KID APPEAL in a long time--you hit a home run with KID APPEAL! The voice of your book is so strong--which is even more surprising since you told it in 3rd, not 1st person. Your language is fresh and vibrant--I found myself rereading phrases and sentences for the pure joy and wisdom of the language (zombie frogs, Junior Jr., one of those people who acted nicer when the teacher was watching). Your opening line, "The bullfrog was only half dead, which was perfect." is, well, . . . perfect! Gertie is such a great character (see paragraph #1 above). You build tension and conflict as you make me root for Gertie. For example, when Gertie sneaks into Mary Sue's party (uninvited & unwelcome), I want to shout, "No, Gertie, no! Don't do it! Turn back!" but then another part of me is peeking through my hands that are covering my face while I hold my breath and anticipate with glee the Gertie chaos that is about to ensue. Bravo, Ms. Beasley, bravo! And, it's a given, that I expect many more Gertie sequels.
My one disappointment in this book was the ending. Gertie is an exclamation point character and so I expected an exclamation point ending. But, sadly, it felt more like a whimper--like the air being let out of a balloon, not a big bang balloon pop. I wanted more--more drama, more satisfaction.
Still, GERTIE'S LEAP TO GREATNESS is one of my favorite books of 2016, and I'm putting it on my hope-it-wins-a-Newbery along with WOLF HOLLOW and MAYBE A FOX.
And author, Kate Beasley, how do you expect me to believe this is your debut book. No way! The only way to explain it is that you must have been an author in an earlier life of yours (that's my explanation and I'm sticking to it!). I have not read a book with more KID APPEAL in a long time--you hit a home run with KID APPEAL! The voice of your book is so strong--which is even more surprising since you told it in 3rd, not 1st person. Your language is fresh and vibrant--I found myself rereading phrases and sentences for the pure joy and wisdom of the language (zombie frogs, Junior Jr., one of those people who acted nicer when the teacher was watching). Your opening line, "The bullfrog was only half dead, which was perfect." is, well, . . . perfect! Gertie is such a great character (see paragraph #1 above). You build tension and conflict as you make me root for Gertie. For example, when Gertie sneaks into Mary Sue's party (uninvited & unwelcome), I want to shout, "No, Gertie, no! Don't do it! Turn back!" but then another part of me is peeking through my hands that are covering my face while I hold my breath and anticipate with glee the Gertie chaos that is about to ensue. Bravo, Ms. Beasley, bravo! And, it's a given, that I expect many more Gertie sequels.
My one disappointment in this book was the ending. Gertie is an exclamation point character and so I expected an exclamation point ending. But, sadly, it felt more like a whimper--like the air being let out of a balloon, not a big bang balloon pop. I wanted more--more drama, more satisfaction.
Still, GERTIE'S LEAP TO GREATNESS is one of my favorite books of 2016, and I'm putting it on my hope-it-wins-a-Newbery along with WOLF HOLLOW and MAYBE A FOX.
November 15, 2016
A story that's readable and sweet, but ultimately on the slight side for me.
Positives: I loved the narrative voice and the charming illustrations, which reminded me of TALES OF A FOURTH GRADE NOTHING (and also illustrated several characters as POC, though they're not specifically referred to as such); realistic handling of difficult subjects, especially the mom who abandoned Gertie and Gertie's conflicted feeling about her dad's job on an oil rig; non-nuclear family unit (Gertie lives with her aunt, and her dad is away for his job for long stretches of time); and best of all, the familiar outrages and embarrassments of being in school, including unfair treatment, fixating on another kid who always seems to get her way, not being able to help yourself from doing something wrong, and feeling betrayed by a friend. And Gertie herself, who is not afraid of resuscitating frogs, is just delightful.
Less successful: I was willing to believe in Gertie's unlikely quest to win over her estranged mom, but somehow that never came together convincingly for me until near the end with the play. (Although again, I appreciated how that played out.) Like all kids, Gertie was also selfish at times, but unlike the competitive scenario with Jean, she also rarely listened to Junior, and I don't think that was followed through very well--that is, I don't think she really noticed it. (The Mary Sue lesson was, as expected, a solid one, however.) And although I liked the writing style and dialogue, I think the book and characters start strong but don't finish with as much humor or wisdom or heart as they had the potential to.
So, a quick and enjoyable read, but not something I'd be likely to read again. But I'd check out another book by this author down the road.
An advance copy was provided by the publisher for this review.
Audiobook PS: I listened to about 30 minutes of the audio version and the style of narration was a little too zany for me. But don't let me stop you--I do a lot of audiobook listening at night before bed and generally prefer things a little less exaggerated. I'd guess this is a probably a good audiobook to listen to on a road trip/ or with kids.
Positives: I loved the narrative voice and the charming illustrations, which reminded me of TALES OF A FOURTH GRADE NOTHING (and also illustrated several characters as POC, though they're not specifically referred to as such); realistic handling of difficult subjects, especially the mom who abandoned Gertie and Gertie's conflicted feeling about her dad's job on an oil rig; non-nuclear family unit (Gertie lives with her aunt, and her dad is away for his job for long stretches of time); and best of all, the familiar outrages and embarrassments of being in school, including unfair treatment, fixating on another kid who always seems to get her way, not being able to help yourself from doing something wrong, and feeling betrayed by a friend. And Gertie herself, who is not afraid of resuscitating frogs, is just delightful.
Less successful: I was willing to believe in Gertie's unlikely quest to win over her estranged mom, but somehow that never came together convincingly for me until near the end with the play. (Although again, I appreciated how that played out.) Like all kids, Gertie was also selfish at times, but unlike the competitive scenario with Jean, she also rarely listened to Junior, and I don't think that was followed through very well--that is, I don't think she really noticed it. (The Mary Sue lesson was, as expected, a solid one, however.) And although I liked the writing style and dialogue, I think the book and characters start strong but don't finish with as much humor or wisdom or heart as they had the potential to.
So, a quick and enjoyable read, but not something I'd be likely to read again. But I'd check out another book by this author down the road.
An advance copy was provided by the publisher for this review.
Audiobook PS: I listened to about 30 minutes of the audio version and the style of narration was a little too zany for me. But don't let me stop you--I do a lot of audiobook listening at night before bed and generally prefer things a little less exaggerated. I'd guess this is a probably a good audiobook to listen to on a road trip/ or with kids.
July 17, 2016
I loved this book! I would love to know Gertie! She is such a delightful girl, and I was rooting for her all the way. I look forward to sharing this book with students.
I received an early digital copy from NetGalley.
I received an early digital copy from NetGalley.
July 13, 2016
NOTE: Received as an ARC from Netgalley.
A little Harriet the Spy (especially the school play), a little The Penderwicks, with a dash of Fannie Flagg. I had a little trouble warming up to Gertie, but I think middle graders will like her.
A little Harriet the Spy (especially the school play), a little The Penderwicks, with a dash of Fannie Flagg. I had a little trouble warming up to Gertie, but I think middle graders will like her.
July 20, 2016
If you like Ramona Quimby, you will love Gertie Foy!
October 7, 2016
A delightful debut!
March 12, 2019
Fifth-grader Gertie Reece Foy is determined to make the leap to greatness, thereby winning the attention and admiration of her absent mother in this engaging middle-grade novel from first-time author Kate Beasley. Although raised by her father and her Great-Aunt Rae, Gertie is used to having her mother, the elegant Rachel Collins, who still lives in the same Alabama town that Gertie does, appear as a distant figure in her life. But when a 'For Sale' sign appears outside Rachel's house, Gertie, who has never so much as exchanged a word with this mysterious mother, determines that she will make herself known, and cause the woman who abandoned her to regret leaving her behind. But things rarely go exactly as planned, and Gertie quickly discovers that newcomer Mary Sue Spivey, a transplanted Californian, and the daughter of a filmmaker to boot, is also determined to be the best fifth-grader ever. In the process of fulfilling her "mission," Gertie begins to concentrate so much on what she doesn't have that she starts to forget what she does, alienating friends and family in the process. Will Gertie succeed, or will she discover that there are all kinds of greatness...?
An engaging read, one which boasts an immensely appealing young heroine, Gertie's Leap to Greatness is an admirable debut from Kate Beasley, sister to Cassie Beasley, whose Circus Mirandus is another recent children's book of note. I appreciate the fact that Gertie is, despite her undeniably good qualities - she has a lot of heart, is often quite courageous, and perseveres in the face of numerous setbacks - also a realistically flawed young girl, one who sometimes makes serious mistakes. Some of those mistakes cause heartache, whether it be her temporary estrangement from her best friend Jean, after she displays a lack of awareness of her friend's desires, or the careless words of anger that wound Audrey, the young girl in her aunt's care; but others, such as the chocolate-stealing incident, are quite humorous. The latter had me chuckling quite a bit! I also appreciated the fact that Beasley constructs her bullying sub-plot in such a way - led by Mary Sue, whose mother is an environmental lobbyist, the children target Gertie specially because her father works on an oil rig - that the bullies represent a popular cause with which many young readers would identify. It's really helpful I think, in terms of provoking real thought around issues of political and ethical differences of opinion, and how we react to such differences, to understand that people on "our" side of an issue can also act with intolerance and cruelty. Kudos to Beasley for not taking the more stereotypical route of having her bullies espouse views that are unpopular in the children's literature/children's publishing world, thereby making them doubly 'villains.'
All in all, Gertie's Leap to Greatness is an appealing, well-written story, one I would not hesitate to recommend to middle-grade readers. It's not a masterpiece, as some reviewers seem to think - although her heroine comes alive, I think Beasley could use some work on her secondary characters, who sometimes feel like silhouettes of real people - but it is a very good beginning. I found it remarkably similar to Kate DiCamillo's recent Raymie Nightingale - both stories feature a young Southern girl who is determined to win the attention of an absent parent by being the best at something - which surely augers well for Beasley's continued success and improvement.
An engaging read, one which boasts an immensely appealing young heroine, Gertie's Leap to Greatness is an admirable debut from Kate Beasley, sister to Cassie Beasley, whose Circus Mirandus is another recent children's book of note. I appreciate the fact that Gertie is, despite her undeniably good qualities - she has a lot of heart, is often quite courageous, and perseveres in the face of numerous setbacks - also a realistically flawed young girl, one who sometimes makes serious mistakes. Some of those mistakes cause heartache, whether it be her temporary estrangement from her best friend Jean, after she displays a lack of awareness of her friend's desires, or the careless words of anger that wound Audrey, the young girl in her aunt's care; but others, such as the chocolate-stealing incident, are quite humorous. The latter had me chuckling quite a bit! I also appreciated the fact that Beasley constructs her bullying sub-plot in such a way - led by Mary Sue, whose mother is an environmental lobbyist, the children target Gertie specially because her father works on an oil rig - that the bullies represent a popular cause with which many young readers would identify. It's really helpful I think, in terms of provoking real thought around issues of political and ethical differences of opinion, and how we react to such differences, to understand that people on "our" side of an issue can also act with intolerance and cruelty. Kudos to Beasley for not taking the more stereotypical route of having her bullies espouse views that are unpopular in the children's literature/children's publishing world, thereby making them doubly 'villains.'
All in all, Gertie's Leap to Greatness is an appealing, well-written story, one I would not hesitate to recommend to middle-grade readers. It's not a masterpiece, as some reviewers seem to think - although her heroine comes alive, I think Beasley could use some work on her secondary characters, who sometimes feel like silhouettes of real people - but it is a very good beginning. I found it remarkably similar to Kate DiCamillo's recent Raymie Nightingale - both stories feature a young Southern girl who is determined to win the attention of an absent parent by being the best at something - which surely augers well for Beasley's continued success and improvement.
January 20, 2022
It was a cute story. Gertie was a spunky kid who made lots of mistakes and learned as she went.
There were some issues:
No adult stepped in when Gertie was being physically and verbally bullied. Like, hello??
I didn’t like the teacher character at all. That whole career day thing should not have happened she should’ve known whose parents were coming and what they were going to say before career day.
The environmental club was never resolved. The teacher had a meeting and was basically like “You GUYS! Stop bullying Gertie…or not. I’m not going to do anything.” And she let the students talk back to her??? As the teacher? I’m sorry but the teacher in me is cringing.
So I liked Gertie and her family. I think the story of Gertie learning to accept herself and be happy with the family she has was a good one. I just can’t get past this teacher….she was so bad at her job. HONEY I’m a behavior management coach let me train you 🙏🏻
There were some issues:
No adult stepped in when Gertie was being physically and verbally bullied. Like, hello??
I didn’t like the teacher character at all. That whole career day thing should not have happened she should’ve known whose parents were coming and what they were going to say before career day.
The environmental club was never resolved. The teacher had a meeting and was basically like “You GUYS! Stop bullying Gertie…or not. I’m not going to do anything.” And she let the students talk back to her??? As the teacher? I’m sorry but the teacher in me is cringing.
So I liked Gertie and her family. I think the story of Gertie learning to accept herself and be happy with the family she has was a good one. I just can’t get past this teacher….she was so bad at her job. HONEY I’m a behavior management coach let me train you 🙏🏻
September 26, 2016
Thanks to Net Galley and Kate Beasley, I’ve now met wonderful Gertie Reece Foy who lives with her wise Aunt Rae and her loving father. He’s gone for two weeks before returning for two weeks because he works on an oil rig, but the scenes with him show wisdom, too. Gertie has strength from family, although her mother left them early in Gertie’s life, but still lives in the same town, is about to re-marry and move. Gertie leaps into the story with a bullfrog, certain that this time she will have the “greatest” summer speech on the first day of school. Every student at her school gives those speeches, required stories of summer. As we learn soon, Gertie thinks she isn’t the smartest or the fastest or the tallest, but she knows herself well.
Gertie Reece Foy never gives up. However, each time Gertie has a mission, somehow it seems she must overcome adversity, like that new and pretty Mary Sue that’s moved to town, that one that seems up against all Gertie is aiming to accomplish. The web of fifth grade friendships breaks down because of Mary Sue, and Gertie is hanging on by only one thread, her biggest mission to do the greatest at something, anything. All that’s left of her mother is one locket and briefest of memories while growing up. Gertie wants to be able to do that something so she can go to her mother’s house and let her know she hasn’t been needed at all, because Gertie has become the greatest anyway. No one understands this until she confides in her steadfast friend, Junior, who also never stops being her friend. I’ve been told that if you have one good friend, that is all you need, and it counts a lot in this story. Aunt Rae’s matter-of-fact love counts a lot too, and both together buoy Gertie so she can keep on, sometimes sadly, sometimes desperately. She is not perfect, after all, but wow, she does make her leap to greatness. The book is complex without seeming so. Those young middle graders who read this book might especially cling to Gertie’s secrets, knowing they too have them. And they will see that in spite of everything, there are things that count that perhaps have been overlooked. I loved the characterizations, the hint that every child has a story that calls to us to want to discover more. Kate Beasley shows that she knows fifth graders well.
Gertie Reece Foy never gives up. However, each time Gertie has a mission, somehow it seems she must overcome adversity, like that new and pretty Mary Sue that’s moved to town, that one that seems up against all Gertie is aiming to accomplish. The web of fifth grade friendships breaks down because of Mary Sue, and Gertie is hanging on by only one thread, her biggest mission to do the greatest at something, anything. All that’s left of her mother is one locket and briefest of memories while growing up. Gertie wants to be able to do that something so she can go to her mother’s house and let her know she hasn’t been needed at all, because Gertie has become the greatest anyway. No one understands this until she confides in her steadfast friend, Junior, who also never stops being her friend. I’ve been told that if you have one good friend, that is all you need, and it counts a lot in this story. Aunt Rae’s matter-of-fact love counts a lot too, and both together buoy Gertie so she can keep on, sometimes sadly, sometimes desperately. She is not perfect, after all, but wow, she does make her leap to greatness. The book is complex without seeming so. Those young middle graders who read this book might especially cling to Gertie’s secrets, knowing they too have them. And they will see that in spite of everything, there are things that count that perhaps have been overlooked. I loved the characterizations, the hint that every child has a story that calls to us to want to discover more. Kate Beasley shows that she knows fifth graders well.
October 13, 2016
Review originally posted on Mostly YA Lit:
Note: this review is written by my husband, Evan.
“Don’t be mad at me, it’s just one man’s opinion!”
That’s what Royal Tenenbaum (Gene Hackman) tells his crying adolescent daughter after insulting the play she wrote and produced all by herself, in The Royal Tenenbaums. The line is both hilarious and tragic, because a parent is never just another person.
Fifth grader Gertie knows this all too well. Gertie lives with her aunt, while her mother - for reasons unknown to her - lives in a house on the other side of town, having completely removed herself from Gertie’s life and upbringing.
Gertie’s journey in this book starts when she sees a “For Sale” sign on her mother’s lawn. Suddenly, Gertie makes it her mission to become the best fifth grader ever, because this is her last chance to prove to her mother that she doesn’t need her - she is doing just fine on her own, thank you very much. Oh, and nice job abandoning such an amazing daughter, ya dummy!
At least that’s how Gertie spins it, but it’s obvious to everyone around her that she just wants her mother to be proud of her.
Gertie perfectly captures the contradictions and complexities of being a tween, and she expresses herself in a delightfully creative way. In Gertie’s inner monologue, you would think that she is incredibly confident. She considers herself to be extremely talented and smart - especially when her hair is in a ponytail, thus causing the blood to rush to her head and make her even smarter. But her own view of herself can only get her so far, when that “one person’s opinion” - her Mom’s - is absent.
I can imagine some people finding Gertie’s character annoying, in which case this book might not be for you. But I loved her.
This book also has great illustrations by Jillian Tamaki, a villain you love to hate, and some well-developed side characters (not to mention a zombie frog). But Gertie is truly the star. I was with her on her journey all the way. A fun and emotional read.
Note: this review is written by my husband, Evan.
“Don’t be mad at me, it’s just one man’s opinion!”
That’s what Royal Tenenbaum (Gene Hackman) tells his crying adolescent daughter after insulting the play she wrote and produced all by herself, in The Royal Tenenbaums. The line is both hilarious and tragic, because a parent is never just another person.
Fifth grader Gertie knows this all too well. Gertie lives with her aunt, while her mother - for reasons unknown to her - lives in a house on the other side of town, having completely removed herself from Gertie’s life and upbringing.
Gertie’s journey in this book starts when she sees a “For Sale” sign on her mother’s lawn. Suddenly, Gertie makes it her mission to become the best fifth grader ever, because this is her last chance to prove to her mother that she doesn’t need her - she is doing just fine on her own, thank you very much. Oh, and nice job abandoning such an amazing daughter, ya dummy!
At least that’s how Gertie spins it, but it’s obvious to everyone around her that she just wants her mother to be proud of her.
Gertie perfectly captures the contradictions and complexities of being a tween, and she expresses herself in a delightfully creative way. In Gertie’s inner monologue, you would think that she is incredibly confident. She considers herself to be extremely talented and smart - especially when her hair is in a ponytail, thus causing the blood to rush to her head and make her even smarter. But her own view of herself can only get her so far, when that “one person’s opinion” - her Mom’s - is absent.
I can imagine some people finding Gertie’s character annoying, in which case this book might not be for you. But I loved her.
This book also has great illustrations by Jillian Tamaki, a villain you love to hate, and some well-developed side characters (not to mention a zombie frog). But Gertie is truly the star. I was with her on her journey all the way. A fun and emotional read.
February 18, 2017
It seems to become harder and harder to find books that really fit the audience of kids who have progressed beyond "chapter books" but aren't yet ready for a lot of the heavy content that characterizes so many books that are being described as "middle grade." GERTIE'S LEAP TO GREATNESS, however, will fit that audience pretty well. Sure, Gertie has a fairly heavy problem -- a mother who moved out and seems to be doing her best to pretend that her marriage and her daughter never happened. But Gertie also has very common and relatable problems, like trying to maintain her status in her class when so many people are fascinated with the snooty new girl. Fortunately, Gertie is also a funny kid, with funny friends, and readers will find plenty to laugh at while the problems are being resolved. Granted, it's a pity that the famous resuscitated frog plays a fairly minor role in the story, but Gertie's human friends also provide great support. Particular kudos go to Junior Junior (he's named after his dad, whose given name is Junior), who deserves the Neville Longbottom Award for Best Performance of a Hapless Sidekick in a Less Minor Role Than He Would Really Have Preferred, for his attempted infiltration of the party to which Gertie was pointedly not invited.
Readers will probably also enjoy Tamaki's interior illustrations, although the cover design is a weak point. Gertie is shown very small against the background scene, and in this drawing looks more like a 5 or 6 year old rather than the 5th grader she really is. Having her look so young on the cover will make this book harder to "sell" to readers at the older end of its audience. Still, readers who have enjoyed the gentle Southern humor of Deborah Wiles's Aurora County books will find another welcome companion in Gertie.
Originally reviewed for Netgalley (https://s2.netgalley.com/book/87022/r...)
Readers will probably also enjoy Tamaki's interior illustrations, although the cover design is a weak point. Gertie is shown very small against the background scene, and in this drawing looks more like a 5 or 6 year old rather than the 5th grader she really is. Having her look so young on the cover will make this book harder to "sell" to readers at the older end of its audience. Still, readers who have enjoyed the gentle Southern humor of Deborah Wiles's Aurora County books will find another welcome companion in Gertie.
Originally reviewed for Netgalley (https://s2.netgalley.com/book/87022/r...)
September 28, 2016
Gertie has a mission to become the best fifth grader in the whole world, and when Gertie's starts a mission, she always finishes it. The only problem is that seat-stealing new girl, Mary Sue. it doesn't take long before a full fledged rivalry flares up between Gertie and Mary Sue.
Gertie's character is full of life and personality. From the way she dresses to the way she plans her missions, she is the kind of girl I would have loved to buddy up with as a kid. She has tons of energy and laser sharp tunnel vision when it comes to her mission. Even though she tries and fails several times, she keeps trying and never gives up.
I gave Gertie's Leap to Greatness to Miss K and she loved it. She read the entire book in a couple of hours and had to tell me all about it. I love it when we can both read a book and then discuss it afterwards. It gives us something in common and something to bond over. And this story doled out laughs, tears, and lots of excitement.
Content: Quite a bit of taking the Lord's name in vain.
Source: I received a digital galley of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
My blog: Batch of Books
Gertie's character is full of life and personality. From the way she dresses to the way she plans her missions, she is the kind of girl I would have loved to buddy up with as a kid. She has tons of energy and laser sharp tunnel vision when it comes to her mission. Even though she tries and fails several times, she keeps trying and never gives up.
I gave Gertie's Leap to Greatness to Miss K and she loved it. She read the entire book in a couple of hours and had to tell me all about it. I love it when we can both read a book and then discuss it afterwards. It gives us something in common and something to bond over. And this story doled out laughs, tears, and lots of excitement.
Content: Quite a bit of taking the Lord's name in vain.
Source: I received a digital galley of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
My blog: Batch of Books
did-not-finish
November 5, 2016I just couldn't get into this book. It's trying so hard to be special, but it's just generic, not to mention derivative of books like the Ramona series and Marty McGuire series, and The Higher Power of Lucky. The story must be set in the present-day, since the kids have phones and such at school, but there are other indicators that suggest the setting is historical. Girls wear sticker earrings, for example, which I remember being popular in the late 80s/early 90s, and there is a character who watches The Waltons. Though I guess there are reruns of The Waltons on TV on some stations to this day, I don't understand putting a reference like this in a novel about a contemporary kid. Part of me wondered whether the author (who is 5-6 years younger than I am) just relied on memories of her own childhood to construct Gertie's world. I started reading this because I heard some Newbery buzz, but I'd be surprised now to see it recognized, and I have decided not to bother finishing the story.
December 15, 2016
Truly I would give this a 3.5 if I could. Gertie reminds me of Clementine - she wants so badly to be good at being good, but trouble seems to find her. Gertie's character and her friendship with Junior are laugh-out-loud funny at times, and while this is a much longer book than the Clementine books, it's a quick read. Despite her aunt's school-send off of "give em hell," the book seems to have a perfect audience for 3-4th grade girls. Two things that left me wondering: Why did Gertie's mom leave and totally cut off contact even though she was living in town? And why did the book have a sort of "older" feel to it (1970's or 80's maybe), but yet there is talk of a cell phone and printers?
August 8, 2016
This was a a cute book, and one that would be excellent for middle-grade readers. Gertie is on a mission to be the best fifth-grader in the universe, so that she can show the mother who abandoned her that Gertie does not need her. The problems and behaviors are quite accurate for a bunch of fifth graders, and I enjoyed it from start to finish.
February 21, 2017
Gertie resembles anyone who has ever tried so hard to prove themselves to others. She is the epitome of what it means to be a young person trying to find their place in the world, but what Gertie realizes is being herself all along was the best route to take.
What a fantastic novel reminding children to stay true to who they are. I would recommend again and again to my students.
What a fantastic novel reminding children to stay true to who they are. I would recommend again and again to my students.
October 6, 2016
I love this book's humor, sadness, and it's irreverence. Don't let the cutsie cover fool you--this book has sass!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 438 reviews