"Savvy" by Ingrid Law

Took me long enough to read this book!  This fast-paced award winner is an enjoyable read with remarkable similarities in theme to Lisa Graff's "A Tangle of Knots" (which was published four years later than this book). 


This book injects magical realism into the horrors of turning 13 and having your body basically betray you.  In this tale there are those who get psychic "gifts" on their 13th birthday.  The gifts are often unexpected and sometimes unwanted but, like any gift of this kind, have a silver lining.  Mississippi (aka Mibs) is dealing with many things at once -- her father has been in a car accident, her 13th birthday is approaching and a boy likes her.  The do-good parson's wife decides to take on the birthday party with a tumultuous tale ensuing.  Written in a highly accessible way with a compelling first person voice this story has had broad appeal for readers.  And yes, there are sequels.

"Save Me a Seat" by Sarah Weeks and Gita Varadarajan

This delightful upper Elementary/lower Middle School title takes place in only one week -- punctuated by five days of the cafeteria menu.  Ravi and Joe tell the tale in alternating chapters.  It is the first week of school and each is struggling with 6th grade.  Joe is an observant boy with a learning challenge.  Ravi is a "new to America" immigrant who doesn't understand the cultural norms.  There is, of course, a bully and there are some "lessons" which are clearly punctuated here and there but the story avoids cliché by being real.  The inner voices of each boy are compelling and resonate.  It is a great "point of view" book as the two boys learn to understand each other as they see the same events very differently.  This is the kind of book kids will greatly enjoy and will identify with.  Brava to both authors, who make the flow of the novel seamless.