The Page and the Porch

A family-friendly novel companion and book discussion guide for ages 9-13

If your family is ready to move past “pick whatever’s on the shelf” and into an actual family book club routine, Savvy by Ingrid Law is one of my favorite places to start. It’s funny, it’s a little bit magical, and it gives you a full week of dinner-table conversation without a single worksheet.

Why I Picked It

Savvy has that rare quality of working for the whole family at once — it’s got just enough magic to hook a reluctant reader, just enough heart to hook the parent reading along, and a road-trip adventure structure that keeps the pages turning. It’s a Newbery Honor book for a reason: Ingrid Law writes with humor and warmth without ever talking down to her readers.

Who It’s For

This one’s a genuine crowd-pleaser. If your kid loves stories with a hint of the supernatural but isn’t ready for anything dark or scary, Savvy hits that sweet spot. It works equally well for kids who devour fantasy and kids who’ve never picked up a “magic” book in their life — the powers in this story feel more like quirky family inheritance than epic sorcery, which makes it an easy entry point. Both boys and girls tend to love it; the ensemble cast of siblings and tag-along kids gives every reader someone to root for.

Why Parents Will Like It

Underneath the magic, this is a book about growing up, about family loyalty, and about learning that the people around you might be more extraordinary than they let on. It’s the kind of story that opens up real conversations — about fitting in, about family, about what makes someone “special” — without ever feeling like a lesson. And selfishly: it’s just a genuinely good read. You won’t be gritting your teeth through this one to set a good example. It also is beautifully executed as an audiobook if you want to listen on your work commute or in the car rider line. (affiliate link)

The Hook (No Spoilers)

In the Beaumont family, your thirteenth birthday isn’t just a birthday — it’s the day your “savvy” shows up. One brother can raise hurricanes. Another can conduct electricity. And Mibs Beaumont is two days away from finding out what hers will be, when her father is critically injured in an accident. Convinced her new savvy might be exactly what she needs to save him, Mibs sneaks onto a bus headed for the hospital — and ends up on a wild, unplanned road trip with her siblings, a preacher’s kids, and a lot more than she bargained for.

Grab the Full Novel Companion

I built a complete book discussion guide for this one, using the same format as every kit in my shop:

• Visual Progress Map Tracker — a fridge-ready way to keep the whole family on the same page, literally
• Printable Conversation Cards — open-ended discussion prompts, no quizzes
• Sticky Note Speed Limits — spoiler-safe pause points so nobody races ahead
• Hands-On Extension Activity — a simple way to celebrate finishing the story together

Get the Savvy Book Club Kit →

Finding a Copy for Everyone

Print copies:

• Library — most systems carry Savvy; ask about a hold if your local branch doesn’t have enough copies for everyone reading at once, and ask your librarian about an inter-library loan if you need more
• Libby — check your library’s Libby app for the ebook, often available with no wait or a short one
• Local bookstore — a great one to special-order or shop-local for if you’d rather buy new
• ThriftBooks — my favorite place to buy used copies online when I want my own to keep
• Amazon — usually the fastest shipping if you’re in a hurry (affiliate link)

Audiobook versions:

• Libby — check your library’s audiobook catalog first, it’s free
• Spotify — included with a Premium subscription for many titles
• Audible — probably the largest selection of audiobooks available. Try a free trial using this link here. (affiliate link)
• LibroFM — my personal favorite audiobook option, since it supports local independent bookstores instead of a big-box retailer

Loved This Format?

This kit was built specifically for Savvy — but the exact same framework works for absolutely any book your family picks next. My Family Book Club Companion Guide includes a plug-and-play AI prompt that builds you a custom guide like this one for any title, in under a minute.

Happy reading! Jenelle