A Newbery Honor Book

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.

Mibs Beaumont is about to turn thirteen, a special birthday for all children but even more so for the Beaumont children. For them, their thirteenth birthday is even more special since that is the day they get their special gift or "savvy." Mibs' older brother Rocket's savvy is controlling electricity, Fish controls the rain and her Mama's gift is to be perfect. Mibs can't wait for her birthday and her savvy to come.

A few days before her birthday, Mibs' father is injured in an accident and hospitalized far from home. While her mother goes to be with him, the local preacher's wife decides to take care of the children and throw Mibs a birthday party. On the morning of her birthday Mibs wakes up. Sure she knows what her savvy is and is positive she needs to get to Salina to help her father wake up and get well. Through a series of choices, Mibs, her brothers Fish and Samson, the preacher's kids, Bobbi and Will, set off for Salina in a pink bus with a Bible deliveryman.

This is a delightful adventure for all ages. Once I started the book, I could not put it down. This is a coming of age story with a bit of the fantastic that is sure to become an instant classic. The ending is real and touching and doesn't take the easy way out. I highly recommend this book to everyone, youngsters and adults. - Stephanie. L Bannon