Module 8: Savvy

Savvy by Ingrid Law

published in 2008, by Puffin Books (New York, NY).

Summary

Mibs' family is...special.  On their thirteenth birthdays, they find out what their savvy is.  For example, Mibs' older brother, Fish, can control the weather with his savvy.  Now it's Mibs' turn to find out what her savvy is.  But just before Mibs' birthday, her dad is in a terrible car wreck.  With her mom and eldest brother staying at the hospital with her dad, Mibs decides she needs to do something to help her dad.  She ends up on a wild journey with two of her brothers and a few unexpected friends.  

Impressions

Law's fantasy is original and fresh.  The idea of savvys is quite fun, and Law is able to make them seem possible today.  I also really like how the characters feel very real, with real imperfections, and real problems to face like: feeling selfish, having no friends, finding it hard to trust others, and realizing your parents are not indestructible.  Savvy is funny, interesting, page-turning, and full of heart.

Reviews

"I wasn't sure how Law was going to manage it without going all fairy-tale, but she does the story justice, making the conclusion happy and heart-rending simultaneously, resisting the urge to tie it all up with a fancy ribbon and a happily ever after.  Law's savvy?  She's a natural storyteller who's created a vibrant and cinematic novel that readers are going to love." --Sarah Mlynowski. (2008). Publishers Weekly. Retrieved from Bowker's Books in Print Professional database.

"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." --Goldsmith. (2008). Booklist. Retrieved from Bowker's Books in Print Professional database.

Uses

Savvy would be a great book to use for a teen reading group at the library.  The discussion could talk about the problems Mibs faces and also talk about, if they had a savvy, what would they want it to be? and why?  For an activity, the teens can make "music jars" in honor of Mibs' grandma's savvy which was capturing radio tunes in jars.