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Not long ago, I won a copy of Savvy from Bellezza at Dolce Bellezza (thank you Bellezza!!!). This book was a popular one at our Scholastic Book Fair, and thought it would be the perfect type of book to read to my kids.
The Beaumont family is special. Upon each family member's 13th birthday, they receive their savvy...a special power that is as individual as the person who receives it. Mother is perfect. Fish controls water (could have used him here in Florida in 2004!). Rocket manipulates electricity (again, could have used him around a few times during hurricane season!). Grandpa can move large amounts of earth. Mibs is facing her 13th birthday, and wonders what her savvy will be. Will she be able to levitate? Will she have X-ray vision? But on Mibs' birthday, her Poppa is in a terrible accident, and everything goes wrong. Mibs, her brothers Fish and Samson, and her neighbors Will and Bobbi find themselves taking an almost surreal journey on a big pink Bible Supply bus. And what a journey it is. A journey of self-discovery, of growing up, of finding love and making friends.
When Mibs discovers her savvy, it is bizarre, to say the least. I was even a little disappointed. Fish can make or stop hurricanes, and Mibs gets this??? But as the story progresses, we see that the gift encompasses more than what our imagination could predict. While Mibs' brothers have savvies that are pumped full of testosterone, Mibs' savvy is more cerebral and spiritual, and ultimately brings peace to her life.
The story also suggests the existence of savvies among us common folk. You and I have them, although they may not be as considerable as Fish and Rocket's. It is an excellent conversation to have with our kids. What savvies do we possess? My daughter's is her way with animals. My son's is his gift of words (if he doesn't end up as a lawyer, I'll eat my hat). Our savvies are our God-given gifts, and is our responsibility to use them for the betterment of our lives and the lives of others.
This book was almost dream-like to read. Bellezza also posted the wonderful blurb on the back flap of the book about the author, Ingrid Law, here that gave me a greater appreciation for the spirit of the author. She paints on her ceilings, for crying out loud! Her prose is lyrical and fanciful, and makes you want to crawl into her mind and imagination just for one day. Perhaps, after a day, my walls would be some other color than ecru!
Sandy's and kids' rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
The Beaumont family is special. Upon each family member's 13th birthday, they receive their savvy...a special power that is as individual as the person who receives it. Mother is perfect. Fish controls water (could have used him here in Florida in 2004!). Rocket manipulates electricity (again, could have used him around a few times during hurricane season!). Grandpa can move large amounts of earth. Mibs is facing her 13th birthday, and wonders what her savvy will be. Will she be able to levitate? Will she have X-ray vision? But on Mibs' birthday, her Poppa is in a terrible accident, and everything goes wrong. Mibs, her brothers Fish and Samson, and her neighbors Will and Bobbi find themselves taking an almost surreal journey on a big pink Bible Supply bus. And what a journey it is. A journey of self-discovery, of growing up, of finding love and making friends.
When Mibs discovers her savvy, it is bizarre, to say the least. I was even a little disappointed. Fish can make or stop hurricanes, and Mibs gets this??? But as the story progresses, we see that the gift encompasses more than what our imagination could predict. While Mibs' brothers have savvies that are pumped full of testosterone, Mibs' savvy is more cerebral and spiritual, and ultimately brings peace to her life.
The story also suggests the existence of savvies among us common folk. You and I have them, although they may not be as considerable as Fish and Rocket's. It is an excellent conversation to have with our kids. What savvies do we possess? My daughter's is her way with animals. My son's is his gift of words (if he doesn't end up as a lawyer, I'll eat my hat). Our savvies are our God-given gifts, and is our responsibility to use them for the betterment of our lives and the lives of others.
This book was almost dream-like to read. Bellezza also posted the wonderful blurb on the back flap of the book about the author, Ingrid Law, here that gave me a greater appreciation for the spirit of the author. She paints on her ceilings, for crying out loud! Her prose is lyrical and fanciful, and makes you want to crawl into her mind and imagination just for one day. Perhaps, after a day, my walls would be some other color than ecru!
Sandy's and kids' rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
