Savvy

The Beaumont family is just a tad different. How different? Well, let's see, their mom is literally 'perfect,' their grandpa may or may not have created states by increasing land area in his youth, and the eldest brother in the family can blow out light bulbs with electrical surges faster than you can say "How many..." These powers are called savvies, and each Beaumont gets his or her special savvy on their 13th birthday. Mibs Beaumont is anxiously awaiting that birthday when her family gets devastating news that her father has been in a horrible car accident and is in a coma. The day she turns 13, she sets off on a trip with a ragtag team of folks to go save her father, thinking that her new savvy will help her.

This is a great story, one with a lot of heart and excitement. The plot is fun and bouncy, in a good way, with a lot of lovely characters. Even side characters are strong in this book, such as Rocket and Miss Rosemary. Mibs is a nifty narrator, one who has a very interesting voice that captures the reader's attention. There is humor and light in this story as well as serious, deep moments and ones that tug at your emotions. Anyone who is a fan of road adventures, family stories, or tales of people with neat powers should give Savvy a try.

Reader reviewed by GRgenius

A heart-warming tale of the not so ordinary Beaumont family and their journey in uncovering the un-ordinary in others. Sound confusing? Not really. The Beaumont's have a secret...at the age of 13 they inherit their savvy. What's a savvy? To put it simply, it is basically what talent or gift you are especially good at. For Momma, she's perfect (in everything she does), for Rocket, it's control of electricity, Fish is water, Poppa is the only one without one having married into the family. Mississippi (aka Mibs) is just about to turn 13. What will her gift be? You'll have to read to find out! Definitely recommended for younger readers and the young at heart! Happy reading!

Reader reviewed by Mari Rydings

Ingrid Laws fantasy/realistic fiction novel, Savvy, was a delightful read! Law employs a cast of intriguing and often unpredictable characters to flesh out a unique and entertaining plot. Mississippi Beaumont (Mibs, for short) is about to turn 13. Not only will she be a teenager, but she will discover her savvy. A savvy, as Mibs family calls it, is a secret talent that sets the Beaumonts apart from other people in the most extraordinary of ways. Mibs Grandfather Bomba can move mountains; her oldest brother, Rocket, can manipulate electricity; her mothers savvy is being perfect, and another brother, Fish, can create severe storms. As exciting as this sounds, Mibs has cause for concern: when her brothers first discovered their savvies, the results were catastrophic. Could the same fate be in store for Mibs?

 

Sadly, just days before her 13^th birthday, Mibs Poppa is involved in a terrible car accident that leaves him in critical condition at a hospital in Salina, Kansas, a town at least 60 miles from where Mibs and her family lives. Mibs knows for certain that she can use what she thinks is her savvy to save her father, if she can only figure out a way to reach him.

 

When Mibs, her brothers, and the local pastors two children stowaway on a pink bus owned by an awkward Bible salesman, the real adventure begins. On the mixed up journey, Mibs discovers her true savvy and realizes that love and friendship can be found in the oddest of places.

 

The novel started out slowly, and it was a struggle to keep reading. But the paced picked up after the kids hid on the bus, and it was wild ride until the end. Law seems to love language, and I enjoyed the playful, sometimes nonsensical words she injected throughout the story. I got the sense the she really enjoyed telling this tale. I know I enjoyed reading it.

Reader reviewed by Reader Rabbit 1

I was drawn to this book because of the title, Savvy. And the concept of the savvies did not disappoint. However, the novel was more about Mibs and her family relationships then the savvy so I admit the first time around, I skimmed the book for sections about savvies. After that, I went back and read the whole book and was able to appreciate how well Ingrid Law delved into Mibs' relationships. Ingrid Law proceeded to put in some loveable characters such as good ol' Larry (the bus driver), Will Junior (one of the preacher's kids) and Samson (her brother). Anyway, Mibs made an excellent narrator and besides herdadsdyingwhat'smysavvygoingtobe Mibs had realistic thirteen-year old problems-problems which the 9-12 year old crowd will find easy to relate to (although it you're older than that, definitely do not write it off-I really enjoyed it). She's a bit impulsive at times but naturally that made for a better read. I wouldn't only recommend this book to fantasy readers but also to those who like realistic fiction.



Final Verdict: Despite not being much about savvies, Ingrid Law makes this novel worth reading because of her motley array of characters and Mibs' storytelling.