I enjoyed this, although not quite enough to understand the Newbery Honor (I read it before the announcements, so didn’t go in with any particular expectations, but still). I liked the main character’s voice especially, although I felt a bit buffeted by the overabundance of similes, especially in the beginning of the story. Certain plot elements required substantial efforts of suspension of disbelief (and I don’t mean the fantasy elements, for the most part) but I liked the voice and the characters enough that it carried me along even when I wasn’t entirely convinced. ( )

In this book super power does exist but when a tragedy strikes powers are lost. I really enjoy how the characters use their different power, especially grandma that can mountains. Children can read this book for supernatural enjoyment. I would have them compare this book to another family book such as the “Incredible.”

this interesting book has a great plot, and its funny that its really only over a couple days in the life of mibs beaumont, a girl who is about to turn 13. the beaumonts are special and on their thirteenth birthday, they recieve a "savvy", a gift of a magical power or special sensitivity. mibs is excited about her birthday, but when her father is in an accident on the day before, her and her brothers go on a journey to see him. they run into interesting characters who cant help but want to help the kids on their way. the book is very interesting with a fully original plot and childish words mixed in to keep the kids interested. this book would be good to use for getting the kids to think of what magic power they might like to have. also, the characters are easy to map and could be useful in teaching the kids about plot dynamics. ( )

Mississippi Beaumont, Mibs for short, and her family live in the middle of Nebraska and Kansas. They call it Kansaska Nebransas. The Beaumonts are a special family. Whenever someone turns 13, they receive their "savvy", a special talent or trait, that usually causes trouble until they can master it. This book starts off with Poppa Beaumont getting hurt in a car accident and being sent to the hospital. Mibs is about to turn 13 and get her savvy, but all she cares about is getting to see her Poppa. She has a hunch that her savvy will help wake up her dad. Mibs and several others hitch a ride on a bus to Salina to see her dad and embark on a unbelievable adventure.

I wouldn't say this was my favorite book, but it wasn't the worst one I've read either. I didn't really like how the author just kinda threw the information about Will Jr's dad into the story and then moved on. I felt it was a bit random. However, the author does create beautiful scenes with the words she chooses. I really liked the fact that she hinted that everyone has a savvy, but they just don't know it.

This book could be read outloud to students who aren't literate enough to read it on their own or assigned to students who are. Students could discuss what savvy they'd like to have if they were a member of the Beaumont family. As an assignment, students could write a story about a day in their life including their savvy and the trouble/adventures it brought about. A teacher could also use this book in a map exercise and point out where Nebraska and Kansas are or in a social studies lesson and discuss the effects of living near water. (Tsunamis, hurricanes, LA Hurricane Katrina)

This book is fun and exciting. It will capture and hold the reader’s attention. ( )