Fantasy: Savvy

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Law, Ingrid. 2005. SAVVY. New York: Puffin Books. ISBN 0142414336.

PLOT SUMMARY

Mississippi, Mibs for short, lives in a magical family. Very person in her family gets a magical power, or Savvy, on their thirteenth birthday. The only downside is that they must hide it from the world. In the days prior to Mibs’ birthday her father, Poppa Beaumont, gets injured in an accident that calls her mother and brother and hour away. On the morning of her birthday, Mibs believes she has received the savvy that will allow her to wake things up. In her excitement, she believes that she can wake up her father from his injuries. She sets off on the journey to help her father and unfortunately her brother, Fish, her younger brother, Samson and two friends tag along. The only problem is they make a mistake and end up travelling in the opposite direction from the hospital. On their way to the hospital, Mibs finds out that her savvy is not waking people up but hearing people’s thought when there is ink on their skin. Through a series of misadventures and new friendships, Mibs and her friends are finally able to make it to Poppa Beaumont.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

The main theme of growing up is told through the lens of fantasy and magic. Students will enjoy reading what would be just a regular child becomes teen story that is punctuated by magic. Middle School readers will share a lot of feelings with Mibs as she starts on her teenage journey. Mibs must deal with family dynamics, friendships and loyalty all within the secret of her family’s magic.

The bus that the kids travel on serve as the vehicle that moves our story along. Each of the Beaumont kids learns more about their own savvy as they travel along with the bus. Each person and friend on the bus come away with a completely different lesson learned or friendship made. They grow up as the bus trudges along.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

KIRKUS REVIEW: “Law displays both a fertile imagination...and a dab hand for likable, colorful characters...[a] marvel-laden debut.”

PUBLISHER’S WEEKLY: “Law's savvy? She's a natural storyteller who's created a vibrant and cinematic novel that readers are going to love.”

BOOKLIST: “Law's storytelling is rollicking, her language imaginative, and her entire cast of whacky, yet believable characters delightful...wholly engaging and lots of fun.”

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “With its delightful premise and lively adventure, this book will please a wide variety of audiences, not just fantasy fans...Definitely an author to watch.”

CONNECTIONS

*Newberry Honor Winner

*New York Times Bestseller

*Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Award

*Oprah’s Reading List Pick

*Al Roker's Book Club for Kids Pick

*An ALA Notable Book for Children

*Students may want to have conversations about the importance of family and the unique traditions each family has.

*Read the New York Times bestsellers and companions to Savvy!:

Law, Ingrid. SCUMBLE. ISBN 0142419621

Law, Ingrid. SWITCH. ISBN 0803738625