Savvy by Ingrid Law
How would you like to grow up in a family where your mother is perfect, your grandfather can move mountains, and your two brothers can control the weather and create electricity? Mibs Beaumont in Savvy by Ingrid Law is doing just that. Each family member possesses a “savvy” – a special power that erupts when they turn thirteen. It certainly keeps the family on their toes and most thirteenth birthdays are strictly a family affair because who knows what may happen. Mibs will be celebrating the big day in just two days and is eager to find out what her savvy will be.
Unfortunately, her father has just been admitted to the hospital after a terrible car accident and it’s unsure if he’ll live. This means that Mibs is not only worried about him but must celebrate her birthday with the preachers family. A big no no. One of my favorite lines was when Mibs says, “That night, I prayed that no one – no one- would come to my birthday party.”
But her prayer didn’t come true. Instead she finds herself on an adventure with her two brothers, two of the preachers childrens, and two unsuspecting adults that will take them on an unforgettable ride as Mibs tries desperately to get to her father in time to hopefully save him. She’s not without her inner conflict though:
For half of a half of a half of a second I hated Poppa. I hated him for working so far away from home and for having to take the highway every day. I hated him for getting in that accident and for ruining our post roast. Mostly, I realized that my perfect cake with its pink and yellow frosting was probably not going to get made, and I hated Poppa for wrecking my most important birthday before it had even arrived. Then I felt the burning shame of even having those thoughts about my good, sweet poppa and sank low in my chair. To make amends for my selfish feelings, I sat quietly and ate every last unwelcome green bean from beneath my mashed potatoes, as Fish’s rain lashed against the windows and Rocket caused every light bulb in the house to explode with a live-wire zing and a popping shatter, sending shards of glass tinkling to the floor and pitching the house into darkness.
Savvy was fun, whimsical, and touching. Growing up in a magical family always has its adventures as each are trying to just pass for normal. Each character is engaging, memorable, and makes a transformation at the end of the novel. It just feels good. And while lighthearted, I came away with a appreciation for the simple things in life.
The Savvy book trailer:
Savvy is also a Cybils shortlist and has been getting some Newbery buzz as well. Highly recommended. I think it would also make a great book club selection or read-a-loud for middle readers
Visit Ingrid Law’s website. Also, Book Dads is currently giving away a copy of Savvy. You have until Feb. 1st to enter. While you’re there, check out Steven’s review and author interview.
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Tags: book club, book trailers, coming of age, Cybils finalist, fantasy, female author, Fiction, I-L Author, Newbery, Newbery Honor, published 2008, Publisher: Dial, Q-T Title, review copy, series, videos
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This was one of my favorite books last year. The characters just totally enchanted me, as did the writing. Loved it. I am really looking forward to reading more books by Ingrid Law.
on January 22nd, 2009 at 6:27 amWow, this one sounds perfectly delightful! Thanks for the review…I’d never even heard of it before.
on January 22nd, 2009 at 6:58 amI think this book is a major winner. Just watching the trailer again made me remember how much I loved it.
on January 22nd, 2009 at 8:13 amI would buy this book for the cover art alone…it’s gorgeous! The fact that the book is a good read is just icing on the cake, lol.
on January 22nd, 2009 at 8:24 amThank you Natasha for mentioning us!
on January 22nd, 2009 at 8:47 amThis book sounds funny. I like magical and sometimes silly books. They are a nice change after you’ve been reading a serious one. I’m half-way through “The Kite Runner” and I’m going to need a happy pick-me-up after this.
It’s fantastic, but heavy in subject matter.
Hey, a little off topic, when are the Newberry Awards and Caldecott Awards announced?
on January 22nd, 2009 at 10:45 amThis one was a good book. I enjoyed it too! I just love the intro to your review
on January 22nd, 2009 at 4:29 pmThis sounds like a good book. I like the cover.
on January 22nd, 2009 at 6:15 pmVery nice summary, Natasha. It made me want to add another book to my TBR pile. lol
on January 22nd, 2009 at 9:48 pmI have seen this book reviewed several times and all positive. I have GOT to get on the train and read it!!
on January 22nd, 2009 at 10:31 pmThe cover alone makes me want to read it, but it sounds like a great story as well!
on January 23rd, 2009 at 2:21 amThis one sounds a little like Justine Larbalestier’s How To Ditch Your Fairy, which I loved, and so did everyone I know who’s read it so far. The “fairies” are kind of like the magic “savvy.” It’s also a YA book.
on January 23rd, 2009 at 1:37 pmJeanette – I’d read anything that she put out as well.
Debi – You’re welcome! I hope you read it.
Janssen – I’m glad you liked it so much.
Michele – The cover is great! That’s what first drew me to it in the first place.
Steven – No problem.
Jenn M. – They will be announced this Monday at 7:30 MST. I’m really excited. I plan on waking up early.
Charley – You should give it a try.
Amber – Oh good.
Laura H. – Or rather maybe on the bus?!
Michelle – The more I think about it later, the more I like it.
Jeanne I haven’t read How to Ditch Your Fairy, although I’ve seen a couple of reviews for it.
on January 23rd, 2009 at 4:11 pmOOOOh. Thanks Natasha. I have been looking EVERYWHERE to try and find out when they are announced. Where are you going to look for the results?
on January 25th, 2009 at 8:34 pmohh, I loved this book.
on January 26th, 2009 at 7:24 pmI just finished Savvy and it was amazing! I loved it! It was full of romance, suspence, and change. Anyone who loves to read or just reads before bed… you HAVE to read this book!
on February 1st, 2009 at 2:40 pmOk I just finished the book. I get your comment now about , bus. Good one. Great book. Would my adult friends ever read this one??? Probably not. Oh how much they miss.
on February 3rd, 2009 at 3:37 pmI finally read Savvy and I really enjoyed it. It was charming and overall a happy, fun book. I finished Savvy last night and I picked up The Shack today. Whew…I’m about 4 chapters in, but it killed my happy buzz from reading Savvy. We will see. It still seems like it will be a good book. I think I like alternating the books with heavier topics with the lighter ones.
on March 1st, 2009 at 5:55 pmSummer – I’m so happy you enjoyed it! It was really great for a debut novel.
Laura H. – He,he. I’m glad you picked up on my bus comment. I agree a lot of adults do miss out by not being open to books for younger readers.
Jenn M. – I just saw that you put your review up. When I sit down with my reader I’ll make sure to leave a comment. The Shack. I haven’t had much interest in that one.
on March 1st, 2009 at 8:05 pmcan you next time right a chapter by chapter summery?
on August 11th, 2009 at 2:44 pm[...] since I read Savvy, I have grown to be more fond of it, which is a good thing. I mentioned in my book review that it was getting Newbery buzz and I was then thrilled when Savvy won a Newbery Honor. [...]
on August 21st, 2009 at 5:22 pmI absolutely love this book! I just finished it yesterday and I want there to be a sequel!
on December 27th, 2009 at 10:07 am[...] Savvy by Ingrid Law [...]
on December 30th, 2009 at 9:27 pmThis book was amazing! I loved it! too bad thats it huh? I just finished it less than an hour ago. I so want another!
on June 4th, 2010 at 5:33 pmIf you liked Ingrid Law’s Savvy, check out its companion novel Scumble – Coming this summer!
on June 7th, 2010 at 11:30 am[...] Review at Maw Books Blog [...]
on August 28th, 2011 at 7:31 pmThe book sounds great!
on August 28th, 2011 at 10:24 pmI think i will love it
will somebody tell me what chapter 22 is about!!!!!!!!!!! i need to know!!!!!!!!!
on November 27th, 2011 at 6:11 pm