This is the kind of middle-grade book that sticks with kids—the ones who read it in 2010 still remember their imaginary savvies. Ingrid Law nailed the magical realism sweet spot: weird enough to be memorable (talking tattoos!), grounded enough to feel real.

The family dynamics are the real magic here. The Beaumonts aren't perfect, but they're loyal and accepting in ways that model healthy relationships without being after-school-special about it. Mibs' journey from wanting a flashy power to understanding her actual gift is classic coming-of-age stuff, handled with humor and heart.

It's not dumbed down, it's not trying too hard to be cool, and it trusts kids to handle complex emotions. The writing is solid, the plot moves, and the metaphor of 'savvies' as the unique things that make us who we are lands without being heavy-handed. A decade-plus later, it still holds up—which is more than you can say for most middle-grade fiction.