The New York Times Book Review - Elisabeth Egan
"Cheerful" is not a word I would use to describe many of my favorite books—I prefer my reading sour with a twist of misery—but Kate Beasley's debut was a welcome ray of light, as enjoyable for this middle-aged reader as I predict it will be for its middle-grade audience. You simply can't be in a bad mood when you read Gertie's Leap to Greatness. Trust me, I tried…Beasley takes us on a rollicking tour of mislaid plans and Gertie's subsequent picking herself up, dusting herself off and starting all over again…Gertie's Leap to Greatness is breathlessly, effortlessly fun…an entertaining story, well told.
Publishers Weekly
08/01/2016
Like the title character in Kate DiCamillo’s Raymie Nightingale, the indefatigable Gertie Foy is determined to prove to an absent parent that leaving was a big mistake. Gertie, whose school bus passes her estranged mother’s house every day, sees a For Sale sign and learns her mother intends to remarry and move. She devises a five-phase plan to become the best fifth grader ever and get her mother’s attention before she departs, but Gertie’s ambitions run smack into full-of-herself new student Mary Sue Spivey. First, Mary Sue steals Gertie’s seat next to Jean, her best friend. Then, she steals Jean. Perhaps worst of all, Mary Sue’s mother, an environmental activist, begins a campaign against offshore drilling. (Gertie’s father works on an oil rig, and she lives with her Aunt Rae, who winningly sends her off each day by saying, “Give ’em hell, baby”). Given Gertie’s world of hurt, debut novelist Beasley wisely interjects humor as often as possible, and Tamaki’s winning illustrations add verve, perfectly capturing Gertie’s indomitable spirit. Ages 8–12. Author’s agent: Emily van Beek, Folio Literary Management. Illustrator’s agent: Steven Malk, Writers House. (Oct.)
From the Publisher
"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
School Library Journal - Audio
02/01/2017
Gr 3–5—Gertie Foy is on a mission to make herself the world's best fifth grader. Then she'll confront her mother, who abandoned Gertie as an infant. She also is determined to improve her grades and earn the lead in the school play. That will show everyone. Gertie is indomitable, but the plucky girl's bravado covers some insecurities. Unfortunately, a new girl, Mary Sue, upsets Gertie's big plans for success with sneaky schemes of her own. Often impulsive, Gertie battles with classmates but finds support from her loving dad, a crusty but kind great-aunt, an understanding teacher, and a loyal friend. Intrepid, despite a series of provocations, disappointments, and mistakes, in the end, Gertie puts her personal goal aside to help a needy Mary Sue. Narrator Tara Sands alternates soft, sad, and strident Southern-accented dialogue with equal ease, including moments of tongue-in-cheek humor. VERDICT With an appealing cover and useful information, plus good sound quality, this is a solid choice for elementary school libraries. A perfect companion title for readers who enjoy Beverly Cleary's Ramona Quimby, Donald Sobol's Encyclopedia Brown, and other funny, thoughtful characters. ["Sure to resonate with fans of spunky female protagonists": SLJ 5/16 review of the Farrar book.]—Barbara Wysocki, formerly at Cora J. Belden Library, Rocky Hill, CT
School Library Journal
05/01/2016
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
OCTOBER 2016 - AudioFile
Narrator Tara Sands’s youthful verve expresses the enthusiasm and naïveté of heroine Gertie Reece Troy, who is determined to become “the greatest fifth-grader in the universe.” Sands contrasts this grit with a portrait of Gertie’s rival, bratty Mary Sue Spivey. Gertie has a darker, more complicated rationale than mere enthusiasm for her goal. She was abandoned by her mother as a baby, and now her mother plans to move away. Sands articulates both Gertie’s mother’s coldness and Gertie’s need for maternal recognition. Gertie’s longing creates a strong subplot and undercurrent to the narration. But Sands’s breezy reading predominates. Her tone emphasizes Gertie’s resilience and, ultimately, her realization that the best course is to find joy in what she has, not to focus on what she’s missing. S.W. © AudioFile 2016, Portland, Maine
Kirkus Review
2016-08-02
A can-do attitude, loyal friends, and a foolproof plan prove insufficient when a seat-stealing new girl swooshes in. Gertie Reece Foy is a feisty, white fifth-grader with an indomitable spirit and a surefire plan to be the greatest fifth-grader in the "whole school, world, and universe! And that was just Phase One." A for-sale sign in front of the house where her mother lives has pushed Gertie into action. Gertie lives with her dad and aunt, and she is totally fine with that. Yep! But she wants Rachel Collins, her mother, to know exactly how wonderful, remarkable, and great she is. Almost as soon as she launches her big plan, however, blonde, white new girl Mary Sue Spivey starts throwing wrenches in it. Beasley’s debut is populated with a cast of homespun characters that come alive in a tasty blend of twitches, aphorisms, and good, old-fashioned meanness. In addition to determination and an endless supply of Twinkies, she gives Gertie two good friends: Junior, who brims with nervous energy, and supersmart Jean with her extra-sharp No. 2 pencils. (Tamaki depicts the latter two as white and dark-skinned, respectively, in her charming grayscale illustrations.) Readers will wonder why Gertie's mom lives so close by but evidently has no contact with her daughter, a question that may drive some to distraction. Still, the tale of Gertie and her grab for greatness is a rich and enjoyable read, and children will relate to her heartfelt emotions. (Fiction. 10-12)
