Good, the Bad, and the Gassy (Grosse Adventures Series #1) Book

Meh. I wanted to like Savvy, but it felt manipulative and overwritten to me... the same vibe I got from The Underneath and The Higher Power of Lucky. This one, not surprisingly, is a Newbery contender as well. A florid style, faux vernacular, and over-the-top alliteration (and cutesy vocabulary) does not equal literary merit! I felt like it lacked both strength and authenticity.

The story itself could have stood on its own, and with a different writing style I might have enjoyed it. I like stories of adolescents coming into a hereditary talent or power, though that's hardly an original idea. And I enjoy stories with strong families. But the bulky writing had me rolling my eyes the whole time, keeping me from enjoying the potentially exciting plot.

I can't think of a single child I can give this to. I can think of some parents who might luxuriate in it as a read-aloud, and children perhaps enjoying it that way.

I've heard only good reviews of this, though, and from friends and colleagues I greatly respect -- so my dislike of it is probably a matter of taste.