Review: Savvy

1.     BIBLIOGRAPHY

Law, Ingrid. Savvy. New York: Penguin Young Readers Group, 2008.  ISBN 978-0-8037-3306-0

2.     PLOT SUMMARY

Believing she can save her father with her new "savvy", Mibs stows away in the back of a bus on her thirteenth birthday to get to the hospital, unintentionally taking siblings and some new friends along for what would turn out to be the adventure of a lifetime.


3.     CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Savvy is told through Mibs' eyes, a thirteen year old protagonist who most young girls will be able to relate to. She makes spur of the moment decisions, deals with bullies and boy problems, has an out-of-the-ordinary family, and is looking to find her special ability. Though Mibs' savvy (i.e. ability) is where the fantasy aspect of the book comes into play, the concept is easily relatable because most people have something they are great at - like baking, playing a sport, singing - though their skill is not magical.

The obstacles that present itself throughout Mibs' adventures are events that could happen in real life, making the plot believable to readers in this low fantasy tale. Occurrences such as Mibs stowing away in the back of a bus, her father having a tragic accident, her feeling the need to do something to help, new friends and their good deeds and falling in love are events that keep the reader's interest from one page to the next.

The main setting in Savvy becomes the pink bus, as it carries the characters from home, to the diner, the hotel, Carlene's trailer, and finally to the hospital where Mibs father is. Each location plays an important role in the story, sharing a bit more about the characters and providing great pieces to the storyline, but the bus is what ties it all together.

Law is able to capture the emotions and point of view of a 'tween' through her wonderful use of language and appropriate slang, as well as through Mibs' explanations of what she sees, feels and experiences throughout the story. Savvy keeps readers on he edge of their seats wondering what will happen next, and also leaves them wanting more. I am personally looking forward to reading the next two books in the series that tell the tale of Mibs' sister and her cousin.


4.     REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

2008 Boston Globe - Horn Book Award

2009 Newbery Medal and Honor Book

New York Times Bestseller

From School Library Journal: “With its delightful premise and lively adventure, this book will please a wide variety of audiences, not just fantasy fans.”

From Kirkus Review: “Law displays both a fertile imagination...and a dab hand for likable, colorful characters."

From Booklist: "Law’s storytelling is rollicking, her language imaginative, and her entire cast of whacky, yet believable characters delightful."

5.     CONNECTIONS

Gather other 2009 Newbery Award Medal and Honor books to read such as:

• The Graveyard Book. ISBN-10 0060530944

• The Underneath. ISBN-10 0375860959

Gather other Ingrid Law books to read such as:

• Switch. ISBN-10 0803738625

• Scumble. ISBN-10 0142419621

• Le formidable voyage de Missi Beaumont. ISBN-10 2747038688

Writing a personal narrative - "If I could have a super power, I would like to..."