Savvy

by Ingrid Law

Lily Blau (Narrator)

A vibrant new voice . . . a modern classic.

For generations, the Beaumont family has harbored a magical secret. They each possess a “savvy”—a special supernatural power that strikes when they turn thirteen. Grandpa Bomba moves mountains, her older brothers create hurricanes and spark electricity . . . and now it’s the eve of Mibs’s big day.

As if waiting weren’t hard enough, the family gets scary news two days before Mibs’s birthday: Poppa has been in a terrible accident. Mibs develops the singular mission to get to the hospital and prove that her new power can save her dad. So she sneaks onto a salesman’s bus . . . only to find the bus heading in the opposite direction. Suddenly Mibs finds herself on an unforgettable odyssey that will force her to make sense of growing up—and of other people, who might also have a few secrets hidden just beneath the skin.

• ISBN10: 0143143484
• ISBN13: 9780143143482
• Publish Date: 1 August 2008 (first published 1 May 2008)
• Publish Status: Out of Stock
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Penguin Audiobooks
• Format: Audiobook (CD)
• Pages: 8
• Language: English

Reviews

[nannah]

This was a charming little book.

I adored the voice Law used for it, and I ADORED Will Junior and how his "secret" turned out. However, most of the character's growth was horrendously predictable. The whole plot was. I knew by the first couple pages what the ending would be like, and it played out just like I'd predicted. Not that that ruined the book for me. The story itself was fun to experience and there weren't any dull moments to keep me from flipping pages.

And that cover is freaking gorgeous.

[Whitney @ First Impressions Reviews]

Thirteen is when a Beaumont's savvy hits—and with one brother who causes hurricanes and another who creates electricity, Mibs Beaumont is eager to see what she gets. But just before the big day, Poppa is in a terrible accident. And now all Mibs wants is a savvy that will save him. In fact, Mibs is so sure she'll get a powerful savvy that she sneaks a ride to the hospital on a rickety bus with her sibling and the preacher's kids in tow. After this extraordinary adventure—full of talking tattoos and a kidnapping—not a soul on board will ever be the same.

Savvy had so much potential but just fell flat. It began as a very original idea but slowly started to cave-in once Mibs Savvy was revealed, being able to talk to tattoos was a little strange and made her appear schizophrenic, I'd be bummed if that was my savvy. The book also reminded me of several other established YA books, the main players obtaining magic powers and going on an ill fated journey was reminiscent of Percy Jackson and the children's I.Q. being far superior to that of the adults was likened to Lemony Snicket. Perhaps, if I was a middle schooler I would find Savvy more attractive but as an adult don't see it standing next to the likes of Harry Potter or Narnia.

[ladygrey]

This book is thoroughly delightful, fun and sweet. I don't even care that it's written at the reading level of a ten year old.

The language does have a nice cadence and is fluid and descriptive despite being so simple. The plot is fun and surprising. The savvies are interesting and give the story that little edge into wonderful. But the thing I love are the characters. All of them are well developed and endearing.

I instantly loved the Beaumonts and their beautiful savvies even when they wreak a little havoc. I also love the fantastically peculiar perspective on the world those savvies give them. I loved the sweet natured Will and was willing to cut rebellious Bobbi some slack until I liked her, which of course I did. And even though he barely speaks I sort of loved Samson.

I was surprised by how much I liked this book, but I really enjoyed it.