When Mibs' brother Fish turned 13, they moved to the deepest part of the island because of the hurricane and, of course, the fact that he'd caused it! In the Beaumont family, when someone turns thirteen their power--or savvy--strikes and no one knows what will happen. Now, Mibs is about to turn 13 and she can't wait to find out what her savvy will be. But then the day before her birthday, her Poppa is in a terrible car accident and taken to a hospital several hours away. Mibs and her brothers and sister are left in the care of the preacher's wife while her mother goes to be with her Poppa. The next day when Mibs gets her savvy, she knows it's the only thing that will save her Poppa. She has to get to him quick so she sneaks a ride on a delivery bus. Unfortunately, her brothers and some friends sneak on too . . . and then, the bus takes off in the wrong direction.

My daughter read this a year or so ago and raved about it . . . I finally got around to reading it and it's a great book for middle grader girls. Would be a fun read aloud too. ( )

Have tried to read this book several times, but will try again during the winter break. ( )

From the catalog:
Recounts the adventures of Mibs Beaumont, whose thirteenth birthday has revealed her "savvy"--a magical power unique to each member of her family--just as her father is injured in a terrible accident.

Mibs Beaumont comes from a long line of people who have a specific knack – something particular they can do well that begins to manifest itself on their 13th birthday, often with disastrous consequences. Her grandfather can create new earth, her brother causes storms and hurricanes and her mom can do anything perfectly. Mibs is two days away from her 13th birthday, eagerly contemplating what her savvy will be – shooting lasers from her eyes or maybe the ability to turn herself into a balloon. But after her father is rushed to the hospital following a car wreck, Mibs perfect birthday plans are put on hold. Certain her savvy will be the one thing to save her father, Mibs, her two brothers, and the children of the minister embark on an unlikely adventure-filled road trip to the hospital hundreds of miles away. Filled with smooth, whimsical writing that almost floats on Fish’s breezes, SAVVY was a book to be savored. Each character was so well developed with concrete personalities and unique quirks -- I would have loved to meet Lil (who is eternally late) and Lester with his big van full of pink bibles. Sometimes hilarious, at others heartwarming and wholesome, Savvy captured this reader’s heart with both hands pulling me along for one wonder-filled ride.SAVVY could easily lend itself to a sequel as the Beaumont family has other children with potential for very interesting savvies and I for one would love to hear their stories. ( )

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. ( )