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Kate Beasley

Gertie's Leap to Greatness Hardcover – October 4, 2016

by Kate Beasley (Author), Jillian Tamaki (Illustrator)

48 ratings

Editors' pick Best Books Ages 9-12

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Enhance your purchase

"Meet the new Ramona Quimby!" -- Entertainment Weekly

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.

From debut author Kate Beasley, and with illustrations by Caldecott Honor artist Jillian Tamaki, comes a classic tale of hope and homecoming that will empty your heart, then fill it back up again--one laugh at a time.

Reading age

8 - 12 years
Print length

256 pages
Language

English
Grade level

4 - 6
Lexile measure

720L
Dimensions

5.8 x 0.93 x 8.56 inches
Publisher

Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
Publication date

October 4, 2016
ISBN-10

0374302618
ISBN-13

978-0374302610
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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 4–6—A step up in reading level and length from Sara Pennypacker's "Clementine" series, this is the story of Gertie, an unself-conscious and truly determined fifth grader. The first sentence captures the spirit of the book and provides a strong hook: "The bullfrog was only half-dead, which was perfect." Gertie's desire to be great means she must surpass all of her uniquely talented classmates, including the newcomer, Mary Sue Spivey. Gertie is motivated by a need to prove to the mother who left her that she's missing out on the best kid in the world. As a plot device, it is somewhat tired, but Beasley sells it convincingly. Gertie's machinations to always stand out from the crowd are often entertaining and are assisted by deft illustration by Tamaki. There is an environmental standoff caused by Gertie's loyalty to her father, an oil rigger, and Mary Sue's mother, who is against the environmental effects of oil drilling. Though the issue remains unresolved, it offers an ideal opportunity for discussion and reflection. Readers may have met the likes of Gertie before, but her Alabama setting and the mix of interesting friends, foes, and family who surround her all provide charm. VERDICT This classic-feeling narrative about an ambitious young girl with a kind heart, while not wholly original, is sure to resonate with fans of spunky female protagonists.—Carol A. Edwards, formerly at Denver Public Library

Review

"This story is for anyone who has ever wanted to be the greatest fifth grader ever. It’s also for anyone who has never wanted to be the greatest fifth grader ever. In short, grab Gertie’s hand and leap right in. It’s better than the best, smoothest, creamiest chocolates. Oh, good Lord, it is." -Kathi Appelt, Newbery Honor author of The Underneath

"Oh my lord, Gertie Reece Foy! This is a girl you can’t help but root for. I kept losing my place from laughing so hard while reading this book. And more than once, I had to hide my face in my hands and read through my fingers, or I caught myself sniffling. Gertie on a mission is a spectacle that is simply not to be missed." -Kate Milford, New York Times bestselling author of Edgar Award winning novel Greenglass House

"This story if full of fun surprises: zombie bullfrogs, faithful friends, humor, and hope . . . and a fabulous narrator. Not only is Gertie brave enough to see the world through hopeful eyes, but she's bold enough to be her uniquely wonderful self." -Natalie Lloyd, author of A Snicker of Magic

"From the first paragraph, I was Gertie’s fan. Her gumption, her voice, her determination, and her sass jump off the page. Realistic social situations combine with over-the-top personalities to make Gertie’s Leap to Greatness a surefire hit for kids who loved Ramona and Fudge--and who will one day want to be best friends with Scout. If your mission is to discover a funny, heartwarming, relatable, and entertaining middle grade novel, then jump for joy: Your mission is accomplished. Now dive in and see how Gertie does on hers." -Tegan Tigani, Queen Anne Book Company

"Kate Beasley is a writer to watch, as she herself is poised for a leap to greatness with her debut novel." -Mary Brown, Books, Bytes & Beyond

"Look out, world, here comes Gertie Reece Foy! Kate Beasley’s debut novel captures Gertie's story withplenty of wit and understanding." -Cathy Berner, Blue Willow Bookshop

"[Kate Beasley] writes in the spirit of Roald Dahl and Kate DiCamillo with all the spunk and ferocity of a Southern lady, and Gertie’s Leap to Greatness is equal parts Matilda and Because of Winn-Dixie. Heartbreaking and laugh-out-loud funny." -Clara Martin, Lemuria Books

"Gertie is a dynamic, fun, and well-delineated character, like Ramona and Clementine. Be prepared for Gertie to leap into your heart and mind in 2016." -John Schumacher, Ambassador of School Libraries

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR); Illustrated edition (October 4, 2016)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0374302618
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0374302610
Reading age ‏ : ‎ 8 - 12 years
Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 720L
Grade level ‏ : ‎ 4 - 6
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.8 x 0.93 x 8.56 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #1,331,654 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #15,505 in Children's Humor
- #29,287 in Children's Family Life Books (Books)

Customer Reviews:
48 ratings

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Katie Brookins

Leagues Beyond the Rest

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on October 22, 2016

Verified Purchase

I have never read a book that so completely placed me back into my childhood. I’m sure I read books as a child which spoke with such authenticity to how it felt to be me, but as an adult GERTIE'S LEAP TO GREATNESS is leagues beyond the rest. I felt the anxiety of needing approval, not realizing what I was trying to get or why. As an adult, I read the cognitive leaps Gertie sometimes made, the sorts of bounds that adults routinely fail to make but which children make, and make together, in yet another benefit of youth. I felt the anxiety of my turn at reading approaching, of dying to be asked to run an errand for my teacher, of knowing the next day at school would be the worst day of my life. As an adult, that sometimes made this book a little harder to read. I wanted Gertie’s missions—and this is the most driven, spunkiest, most huggable kid I’ve read in ages—to succeed, but my adult self knew that the adults and kids in her life wouldn’t respond the way she was hoping. My maturity made me cringe, but my memories as a similarly motivated kid made me hope and hurt alongside her.

8 people found this helpful

Helpful

P. Parks

Boring and very negative

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on November 14, 2016

Verified Purchase

This book is completely appropriate but it is BORING and NEGATIVE. As an adult I struggled to finish it, but as a parent I like my children to try to finish a book but I know there is no way my child could get through this because it just drags on and on. I will not even ask my child to read this one. The subject matter was just down in the dumps and everything goes wrong and it keeps going wrong. There has to be something positive in Gertie's life, right? Ugh! I do not recommend this book, in fact I plan to donate it to the library.

3 people found this helpful

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chien y chu

Gertie and Mary

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 26, 2019

Verified Purchase

I liked how Beasley made Mary Sue not like Gertie because actually they were both competing for the best. I think she could have added further information on Gertie’s background.

Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on June 10, 2018

Verified Purchase

it was an awesome book! i loved how Gertie stayed determined. You're a great story teller and author!

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