Savvy by Ingrid Law

“In most ways, Mibs, we Beaumonts are just like other people...We get born, and sometime later we die. And in between, we're happy and sad, we feel love and we feel fear, we eat and we sleep and we hurt like everyone else."

-Momma, Savvy

The Beaumont Family may seem like a regular family but...

"For generations, the Beaumont family has harbored a magical secret.They each possess a "savvy" — a special supernatural power that strikes when they turn thirteen. Grandpa Bomba moves mountains, her older brothers create hurricanes and spark electricity... and now it's the eve of Mibs's big day.

As if waiting weren't hard enough, the family gets scary news two days before Mibs's birthday: Poppa has been in a terrible accident. Mibs develops the singular mission to get to the hospital and prove that her new power can save her dad. So she sneaks onto a salesman's bus... only to find the bus heading in the opposite direction. Suddenly Mibs finds herself on an unforgettable odyssey that will force her to make sense of growing up — and of other people, who might also have a few secrets hidden just beneath the skin."

This book wasn't as light as I expected it would be. There were quite a few moments when my eyes actually teared up. D': Although the themes discussed in this book may be presented in emotional and difficult settings, the characters are good hearted and very humorous. I'm definitely going to read the "companion novel" (Scumble) and I encourage you to do the same. I warn you though, this is an easy read (again I know :)..I want to finish off the pre-teen novels that I never got to D:) so because I don't fall in the age group it's aimed at, I sadly must give this book a 8.5/10. BUT THAT'S NOT TO SAY YOU SHOULDN'T TRY IT OUT!!! yeep...so enjoy :)

The Underneath by Kathi Appelt

So I'll try to post a few things every month... and all these book reviews I'll be posting are one's from another blog I participated in during the summer :)

“It's a soft-sounding word, 'never,' but its velvety timbre can't hide its sharp edges...Never pressed down on him. It grabbed him by the neck and shook him. He sucked in a deep breath, sucked in all that never and started to sneeze. Never filled his nose, his eyes, his soaking fur.” 

― Kathi Appelt, The Underneath

To start my summer reading off, I chose something simple. I've heard many reviews praising this "heartwarming book". Boy was I surprised when I began reading it...

The cover of this book shows a sweet old dog and his two kitten friends. You may immediately think, "Aww, poor animals! They seem so tired and bored." STOP with those biased conclusions. The Underneath, however childish it may seem, is one of the most moving books I've ever read.

                  The Underneath is the place under the porch. It serves as a refuge for the cat family (Puck, Sabine and Mom) and their dog friend, Ranger. To venture from The Underneath is dangerous because of Gar Face, Ranger's owner and ex-hunting partner. When Puck and his mother by Gar Face, loyalty and trust are put to the test. Sabine must keep hidden from Gar Face while finding ways to feed herself and the chained Ranger, not knowing if she'll ever see her brother and mother again. 

"The chapters are short, which sets up a fast-paced rhythm to the book.  Chapters shift back and forth between the characters and in time.  This adds anticipation and intrigue as the various sub-plots build.  The histories of the ancient characters of a snake and an alligator are told in flashbacks.  

The main characters seem disconnected as their stories are presented.  Though most are oblivious to one another, their lives intersect at one place in one point in time in the plot's 

climax. The build-up is intense, making the book a real page-turner."

I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone who's looking for a twisty, unpredictable plot and a whole lot of love. The Underneath is a much needed break from all the deja-vu vampire VS werewolf love stories. It tells the beautiful, heart-wrenching story you want with the true definition of love and loyalty. An easy 10/10!!! :D

My First 'The Blog' Post

So recently, I participated in this library haiku contest with this random poem I came up with on the spot... and I actually won with it :O Yeah. I did it for fun and never expected that, you know.

But anyways, for lack of things to post, here's the poem: (btw, the theme is the library/books)

Simple Books

Flipping covers yield

Worlds only to be wished of

Our cherished portals

And yeahhh.

That's pretty much it for now :)