Starred Review ALA Booklist

Starred Review First, some 20 years ago, it was the YA novel that was declared dead, only for an influx of new authors and the arrival of the Michael L. Printz Award to take the genre to unexpected heights. Because the publishing world seems to feel that if one kind of book is up, another must be down, it soon was the middle-grade novel's turn to be sent to the infirmary. Now middle-grade fiction is commonly declared edgy and groundbreaking. Yet there is, and always has been, another kind of middle-grade novel, one that pushes boundaries in quieter ways. Take Maud Hart Lovelace's series about Betsy, Tacy, and Tib, which follows the three friends growing up at the turn of the last century from ages five to marriage. In Betsy and Tacy Go over the Big Hill (1942), readers are introduced to an immigrant community that lives in "Little Syria." Later, Betsy struggles with religion when she decides to become an Episcopalian, even though she knows her Baptist father will be disappointed. Or take Ramona and Her Father (1977), in which Beverly Cleary touches on something many children face at it feels like to have a father out of work. And in this year's As Brave as You, author Jason Reynolds explores the tensions between fathers, sons, and grandsons affected by the legacy of Jim Crow. Gertie's Leap to Greatness is another in this line of books that takes on real-life problems while keeping its writing true to the feelings of childhood. Gertie Reece Foy is a fifth-grader with two best friends, a father who works on an oil rig, and a mother who doesn't acknowledge her existence. When she was a baby, her mother, Rachel Collins, left to live in a house on Jones Street, never to been seen again, aside from a chance encounter at the Piggly Wiggly. But now the Jones Street house has a for-sale sign on it, and Gertie learns her mother is planning to get married and move to Mobile. Determined to do something to make Rachel Collins notice her before she departs, Gertie devises a five-phase plan to make herself the greatest fifth-grader ever. The plan's glimmering possibilities are stubbed out by the arrival of Mary Sue, the daughter of a film director making a movie in town. From here the story could have gone the predictable route, and in some ways it does. Glamorous Mary Sue thwarts Gertie and her quest for greatness at every turn and subtly prods the class to turn against their former friend (and Gertie only makes things worse). While the broad outline is familiar, however, the depth of feeling makes it unique. Gertie, bossy, bouncy, and busy, counsels herself in an internal dialogue that illuminates how a kid who gets knocked down picks herself up. What should she make of a mother who wants nothing to do with her? In the smartest kind of writing, Beasley has Mr. Foy explain to his daughter, in a way a child can understand if not entirely appreciate, why Rachel Collins left them: "For her, being with them was like wearing a pair of shoes that were too tight. You could limp along for awhile, but your feet would just hurt more until you were sure that if you walked one step further in those shoes, they'd squeeze your toes off." In another interesting take on contemporary life, Gertie must deal with the notion that what her father does for a living is "wrong." On Career Day, Gertie plans to move her greatness plan forward by wowing everyone with a speech about life on an oil rig. But Mary Sue and her mother, an environmental activist, speak first about the horrors of offshore drilling. The book handles the issues in a way that will make readers think about not just what it means to protect the environment, but also what it means to provide a livelihood in an imperfect world. Gertie Foy is debut author Beasley's first heroine. It's exciting to think who else is waiting down the road to push or pummel boundaries. Or even just prance through a story. That would be fine, too.

Horn Book

Gertie lives with her great-aunt in coastal Alabama while her father works on an oil rig. She wants to become the "greatest fifth grader in the whole...universe" in order to prove something to her absentee mother and herself; standing in her way is the prissy new girl at school. Slice-of-life fans should enjoy the homespun humor. Personality-rich illustrations help set the scene.

Kirkus Reviews

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)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

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.)

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.