Review: Savvy by Ingrid Law

Synopsis: 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. (from the online description)

Review: Perhaps I am getting older, but this book did not appeal to me. The trope (child’s journey to save a sick parent) is a bit overdone. But I was prepared to overlook that (as any trope can work if handled well) particularly given the idea of the Savvy. The Savvy part of the story was the only good part of the story. Seeing Mibs struggle to accept hers, to “scumble” her Savvy, and to come to terms with the things in life that we can’t change. But the idea of the bus trip boring, the plot is drawn out, and the adults are feel like caricatures of real people and lack the depth of real people.

Sadly, this is the first Newbery that I didn’t enjoy. Not that I think it’s bad or immoral, just not a good. However, I can see why people would enjoy it and I would not dissuade anyone from reading it. 

Bookmarks: 3.5 of 4

Awards: Newbery Honor (2009)

ISBN: 978-0-8037-3306-0
Year Published: 2008
Date Finished: 3-11-2018
Pages: 342