Savvy by Ingrid Law

 Bibliography

Law, I. (2008). Savvy. Dial Books for Young Readers. ISBN 9780803733060

Plot Summary

Turning thirteen is exciting, but especially for Mibs. In her family, upon turning thirteen, your savvy appears. Her oldest brother got his in the form of electricity and her other brother got the ability to cause hurricanes. Mibs can’t wait to see what her savvy will be, but just before her birthday, a tragic accident happens. Her father is in the hospital and now all Mibs wants is a savvy that can bring her father out of a coma. Determined to help her father, she finds a unique way to make her journey to the hospital. Mibs won’t let anything stand in her way of getting to her father to save him - not even her savvy. 

Critical Analysis

Ingrid Law produces a marvelous fantasy novel that will leave readers hanging on the edge of their seats. Set in the middle of nowhere on the edge of Nebraska and Kansas (Kabraska/Nebransas as it’s called in the novel), the author crafts a story readers can quickly identify with - that of a young tween girl dealing with the day-to-day life of siblings and pesky school peers. Law cleverly incorporates the unique right of passage for the family - getting their savvy or special power, which creates an extraordinary tale readers can’t put down. Consistent with the characteristics of the fantasy genre, a journey is woven creatively into the story…that of Mibs trying fervently to reach her father to save him, but also one that takes Mibs on a journey to finding herself and her truth. The universal theme of family being most important is integrated into an inventive journey taking the reader on a wild ride with Mibs, her brothers, and friends to the hospital where her father is being treated. Readers will fall in love with the story of Mibs and how she comes to find that sometimes life doesn’t go quite as expected. 

Review Excerpt(s)

Law displays both a fertile imagination...and a dab hand for likable, colorful characters...[a] marvel-laden debut. -- Kirkus

Law's savvy? She's a natural storyteller who's created a vibrant and cinematic novel that readers are going to love. -- Publishers Weekly

Law's storytelling is rollicking, her language imaginative, and her entire cast of whacky, yet believable characters delightful...wholly engaging and lots of fun. -- Booklist

With its delightful premise and lively adventure, this book will please a wide variety of audiences, not just fantasy fans...Definitely an author to watch. -- School Library Journal

Newbery Honor Recipient

2008 Boston Globe-Horn Book honor

Connections

For additional activities related to the book:

• Have each student come up with a new cover for the book that accentuates the themes and the characters of the book.

• Have students draw up a map to show the journey of Mibs and the others as they go to Salina.

• Have each student be assigned a savvy, but then have them not tell anyone else in the room to see if others can guess.

Other recommended books if you liked this one: 

• Switch by Ingrid Law
• The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill
• When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller