Switch

June 15, 2015
In this second sequel to the Newbery Honor-winning Savvy (2008), the Beaumont family's unusual abilities turn inside out. Steep learning curves and near catastrophes ensue. Just as the Beaumonts decide to take in ill-tempered Grandma Pat, who is showing worrisome signs of "Old-Timer's disease" (i.e., Alzheimer's), 13-year-old Gypsy's new "savvy" to glimpse (but not alter, despite her best efforts) future scenes switches to an ability to stop time-for all the universe except, as it turns out, Pat and everyone else who shares her birthday. Likewise, her formerly perfect mother turns accident-prone, her once-invisible big brother now unpredictably bursts into all-too-visible flame, and little Tucker farts and turns into a giant when upset. Nonetheless, the Beaumonts hie off to Colorado to pick up Grandma Pat and then chase her through Denver when she wanders out into a snowstorm. Law does not write for readers who like logically consistent premises and orderly plots. Nevertheless, along with turning her increasingly self-confident protagonist's fondness for spontaneous twirling into a thematic leitmotif, she salts the narrative with wonderfully silly words ("Sardoodledom"!) and the cast with (aside from a now-requisite bully) helpful, warmhearted allies. It's a jumble, but one that's made up of feel-good set pieces. (Fantasy. 10-12)

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July 1, 2015

Gr 4-7-Another magical tale that emphasizes every person's unique gifts. Some years have passed in the Beaumont household, in which each family member has a "savvy," or magical ability that manifests itself around age 13. Now it is Gypsy's turn, but her savvy for seeing flashes of the past and future causes her more anxiety than happiness. A vision of her Grandma Pat falling off a clock tower terrifies her, and she determines to prevent it. Worse yet, the curmudgeonly woman has Alzheimer's and will come live with the Beaumonts. This dreaded event has switched everyone's gifts. Gypsy now stops time, her brother Tucker can grow, brother Samson can start fires, and their perfect mother now is clumsy and accident prone. Navigating the new reality, saving Grandma, and accepting her savvy are on Gypsy's to-do list. Law's signature writing style is evident in her third story; whimsical word patterns dance around her savvy characters. Gypsy and her family seem to be in constant, unusual motion, rather like a Willy Wonka elevator. And, much like authors Deborah Wiles or Patricia Reilly Giff, Law contrasts warm family support with personal despair and hardship, nicely balancing her dramatic action with stability and optimism. Gypsy's family will always love her, even if she sends a car into the river (oops). There are a few coincidences and a tidy ending, but overall, Law has again told a story with as much heart as creativity. VERDICT Highly recommended and a must-have for libraries with the previous volumes.-Caitlin Augusta, Stratford Library Association, CT

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2015
Grades 4-7 It's finally Gypsy Beaumont's savvy birthday: the day she turns 13 and receives her special talent, just like her sister Mibs in the Newbery Honor Book Savvy (2008) and cousin Ledger in Scumble (2010). Initially, Gypsy can see into people's pasts and futures, but one day everyone's savvy gets switched. Now she can stop time in its tracks insteadbut how can she get it going again? In addition to the magical mix-ups, Grandma Pat is suffering from Alzheimer's (referred to only as Old-timer's disease ) and is moving in with her family. While the Beaumonts pack up Pat's house, a blizzard hits and Gypsy remembers her final future vision before the switch, one in which her confused grandma is in danger. Is it too late to change fate? Law tenderly handles the challenges of having a grandparent with Alzheimer's, highlighting the power of familial love. Though no explanation for the switch is given, readers will be caught up in this snowy, magical adventure and the characters' efforts to balance their true, sparkly selves with growing up.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)