Review: Savvy

Savvy
by Ingrid Law
Published by Dial Books
Publication Date May 1, 2008
Source: Library
Genres: Young Adult
Goodreads

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.

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.