Sep 06, 2016samcmar rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
I knew I would love Gertie's Leap to Greatness based on the title alone. It sounds presumptions, but I have a soft spot for girls with very quirky names who put a lot of gusto into everything they do. It also reminds me how boring my name is.
Kate Beasley's debut is a delight, and it's a delight because of how everything is set up from page one. Gertie isn't like other little girls -- she wants to resurrect a frog back from the dead, wants to be the star in the school play, and she was that darn Mary Sue to stop stealing her seat. She is 100% made of awesome, and she's the kind of girl that you can easily cheer for.
If I am being honest, I saw a lot of my younger self in Gertie. I still have the same can-do attitude towards life (or at least when it comes to the things I love), I was that awkward child who would only be afraid of what people thought after the fact. Gertie's got so much charm and spirit that she was just such a fun character to follow about. I also LOVED Gertie's aunt and the role she played in the story as well, especially in regards to Gertie's relationship with her mother.
I think what I equally loved about this novel is that the voice present in it feels so genuine and realistic. While a zombie frog doesn't scream realism, I appreciate how full of life Gertie and her family are. While some of the other characters feel a little more one note, there's still something so compelling about what is happening the story and what surrounds Gertie as a character. It makes for quick read, that's for sure!
I can totally see this being a hit at my library, and with Jillian Tamaki's artwork fits the story so perfectly that I was so excited every time an illustration showed up. Gertie's Leap to Greatness is a passionate delight that will leave you grinning from start to finish. Seriously, Gertie is adorable!
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Gertie's Leap to Greatness