Review of Scumble by Ingrid Law

Scumble by Ingrid Law

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I really liked Savvy by Ingrid Law, but I loved Scumble! Scumble is the companion to Savvy. The Savvy characters are all grown up, but they make appearances (mainly Rocket) when the family comes together for a wedding. Of course this story isn't about Mibs. Mibs is all grown up now, but her cousin Ledge is turning 13, and you know what happens when a kid in this family turns 13! In Ledge's case -things begin to blow up and fall apart. It's not a good feeling to have a destructive savvy, especially when you spent your life planning on running. Literally. Ledge runs alright -right into Sarah Jane, newshound extraordinaire. Ledge has to scumble his savvy, figure out his future, and keep everything in his life from totally falling apart. It's tall order, but in the end, it all comes together.

Things blow up in this book. Boys will love it. Once again, Law sparks the senses with fresh language and out of the ordinary events. Halfway through the book, I set it down and had an a-ha (I probably should have realized this much sooner): Savvy and Scumble are tall tales (sort of). Law managed to create a modern day tall tale that sounds like realistic fiction with a bolt of fantasy. I could see a movie in my head, and I can imagine Scumble on the big screen (calling all filmmakers). This top of the trees story leaves the reader imagining all sorts of wondrous wonders.

I recommend reading Savvy first. Scumble can be read alone, but it will be a lot more meaningful if you are introduced to scumbling your savvy first. I recommend you get your Savvy before you try to Scumble, after all, you do need to know what it is your scumbling.

The reading level is middle of fifth grade. Although innocent, the book mentions kissing and cussing (no curse words are used in the book). I would feel comfortable reading it aloud to fourth grade and up.

SHORT ANSWER & DISCUSSION QUESTIONS + WRITING PROMPTS FOR SAVVY