Summary

Chapter 1, “A Monstrosity of Science,” opens with Gertie and a dying bullfrog in the kitchen. Gertie’s Aunt Rae asks what Gertie is up to; Gertie explains that she is resuscitating the bullfrog so that he will be “a miracle of science” (5). Bringing the bullfrog back to life is “Phase One" (7) of Gertie’s plan to be the world’s best fifth grader.

Chapter 2, “You’re in My Seat,” finds Gertie remembering a few days earlier when she saw a For Sale sign in front of the house her mother lives in. Gertie talks to one of her best friends, Junior Parks, on the bus. They discuss giving their summer speech when they get to school. Despite the speeches not being competitive, Gertie wants to be the best. She thinks she would have won in previous years, but other kids had better stories...