Book Summary:
Everyone in Mibs’ family has a special talent, known as
their savvy, that they receive on their thirteenth birthday. Her mother does
everything perfectly, even when it’s a mistake. Her grandmother could catch
music in a jar. Her grandfather causes the ground to move.
Now it's finally her turn! Mibs is celebrating her
thirteenth birthday, and she will finally find out what her savvy is. Will it
be talking to animals? Seeing sounds? Only time will tell. Then tragedy strikes
- her father is a car accident and is now in a coma. Will Mibs get a savvy that
could save him?
Full of quirky characters and wild adventures, Savvy is the
story of Mibs and her quest to save her father’s life. She is joined by her
brother and a few new friends along the way, and somewhere between pink buses,
flying pies, and police cars they must make their way to the hospital to find
Mibs’ father.
APA Reference of Book:
Law, I. (2008). Savvy.
New York, NY: Dial Books for Young Readers.
Impressions:
This is a fun book about abilities and talents and family
relationships. The growing friendship between Mibs and Will and Mibs and Bobbi
are great examples of how people aren't always who they seem to be, and
sometimes a person just want someone to see them and like them for who they
really are. I'm really interested to see what Sampson's savvy is, although it
seems as though he already has inklings of it showing through in his behavior,
even at his younger age.
I read this as part of a mother-daughter book group, and the
girls had plenty to talk about in wondering what their own savvies could be and
how this is somewhat reflected in real life in the various talents individuals
have. A great group read, and one that readers of all ages who enjoy a little light
fantasy in their books will really enjoy.
Professional Reviews:
Grades 5-7. Upon turning 13, each member of the Beaumont
family develops a supernatural ability, or savvy, which must then be tamed.
Well aware of the problems savvys can bring (the family had to relocate when
one child had difficulty controlling his storm-producing savvy), 12-year-old
Mississippi (Mibs) awaits her birthday eagerly but with a bit of trepidation.
Then Poppa is seriously injured in an accident far away, and Momma goes to his
side, leaving Mibs and the rest of the family to cope with Mibs’ 13th birthday
on their own. Initially believing that her savvy is the ability to restore
life, Mibs sets her course for Poppa. Joined by her brothers and the local
preacher’s kids, she sweet talks her way onto a traveling Bible salesman’s bus.
On the journey, however, Mibs realizes her savvy isn’t what she thought, which
opens the way for a number of lively adventures both geographic and emotional.
Law’s storytelling is rollicking, her language imaginative, and her entire cast
of whacky, yet believable characters delightful. Readers will want more from
Law; her first book is both wholly engaging and lots of fun.
Savvy. (2008, May 15). [Review of the book Savvy by Ingrid Law]. Booklist Magazine, 104(18). Retrieved
from
Library Uses:
While great for a book club read, as mentioned above, this
would also make an interesting display for different talents and abilities.
This book could be the main focus of the display, with suggestions for savvies
put on display, such as cooking utensils for great chefs, sewing needles and
thread for those who are good at sewing, and sports equipment for those who are
athletic. The possibilities are endless. It could also be an interactive
display, one where patrons could add to it will savvies of their own, such as a
whiteboard or post-it note display.
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