Ingrid Law wrote the bestselling 2008 novel, which was published by Walden’s book division and honored with the Newberry award. It concerns Mibs Beaumont, who is about to turn thirteen years old — the age when members of her family receive their own special power, known as a “savvy.” But when her father is sent into a coma after a bad accident two days before her birthday and Mibs takes off to help him, she ends up on a wild adventure with her friends and equally savvy siblings.

Denise Di Novi (Crazy, Stupid, Love) and Alison Greenspan (Ramona and Beezus) are producing. Screenwriter Karen Janszen (Dolphin Tale) previously worked on the project.

Walden recently produced Journey to the Center of the Earth and The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. The company has Learning to Fly in production and Journey 2: The Mysterious Island hitting theaters in February.

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WaldenFans.com: Tell us a bit about yourself, for our readers that might not know much about you.

Ingrid: I was born in New York, but my family moved to Colorado when I was six years old. I still live in Colorado with my daughter, who is sixteen now. We both love movies and books and writing.

My first book, Savvy, came out in 2008 and was published by Dial Books, in partnership with Walden Media. Among Savvy’s accolades and awards, it has received a Newbery Honor and a Boston Globe – Horn Book Honor; it became a New York Times bestseller, and was selected by Oprah Winfrey and Al Roker for their reading lists and book clubs. Savvy was also optioned for a feature film by Walden Media. I followed up Savvy with a companion book, titled Scumble, which came out in 2010 and immediately became a New York Times bestseller. I never expected such an amazing response to my books. I feel very blessed, not only because of the success of the books, but because of the wonderful people I’ve had a chance to meet and work with because of them.

WaldenFans.com: Can you give us a quick teaser for each of the Savvy books that will give us an idea of what we’re in for?

Ingrid: In Savvy, Mibs Beaumont is about to become a teenager. As if that weren’t scary enough, thirteen is when a Beaumont’s savvy strikes–and with one brother who causes hurricanes and another who creates electricity, Mibs’s birthday promises to be outrageous. But just before her big day, Poppa is in a terrible accident. Suddenly, Mibs’s dreams of X-ray vision disappear like a flash of her brother’s lightning: All she wants now is a savvy that will save Poppa. In fact, Mibs is so sure she’ll get that powerful savvy that she sneaks a ride to the hospital on a rickety bus, with her siblings and the preacher’s kids in tow. But when the bus starts heading in the wrong direction only one thing is certain: After this extraordinary adventure, not a soul on board will ever be the same.

Scumble, a companion to Savvy, takes place nine years after Mibs’s adventure and stars her cousin, Ledger Kale. Ledge thinks his savvy is a total dud—all he does is make little things fall apart. So his parents decide it’s safe to head to Wyoming for a family wedding, where it’s soon revealed that Ledge’s savvy is much more powerful than anyone thought. Worse, his savvy disaster has an outside witness: Sarah Jane Cabot, reporter wannabe and daughter of a local business man. Just like that, Ledge’s beloved normal life is over. Now, he has to keep Sarah from turning family secrets into headlines, stop her father from foreclosing on Uncle Autry’s ranch, and scumble his savvy into control so that, someday, he can go home again.

WaldenFans.com: What were your inspirations for the stories in the Savvy and Scumble?

Ingrid: Initially, I was driven to imagine what American magic might look like–no wands, cauldrons, or potions. Some people have started calling what I do ‘rural magic.’ But from the beginning, I wanted to create stories about magical children but never actually use the word ‘magic.’ I wanted readers to get the sense that a ‘savvy’ is something everyone has, that everyone has a talent, or something they are working to be good at. Ultimately, the books are about facing the challenges of growing up. The kids I write about simply face those challenges in a fantastical, tall-tale way.

WaldenFans.com: What themes did you try to convey in the story?

Ingrid: I enjoy coming-of-age themes, as well as themes of family, friendship, compassion, and self-awareness.

WaldenFans.com: Are you excited at the potential film version of Savvy?

Ingrid: Yes! I’m a huge movie fan. So, it’s very exciting to know that there’s potential for a Savvy film.

WaldenFans.com: How do you feel about your characters coming to life?

Ingrid: If the project continues to move forward, it will be fun to see how a whole team of creative and talented people choose to bring their vision of my characters and story to the big screen.

WaldenFans.com: When and why did you begin writing?

Ingrid: Long before I ever started writing my stories down, I had dozens of them in my head. I used to make up stories to entertain myself and to keep myself from getting anxious. I was often a very nervous child and I discovered that inventing stories and creating new worlds and characters kept me from worrying about everyday things. Eventually, I moved the stories out of my head and onto paper.

WaldenFans.com: When did you first consider yourself a writer?

Ingrid: Probably when I finished my first novel-length manuscript when I was about 20. It was a big accomplishment. But I was a merely a hobby writer off and on for years before I got serious about the craft and attempted to get something published.

WaldenFans.com: Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?

Ingrid: Anne Ursu is not a new author, but she does have a new book coming out (from Walden Pond Press) that has grasped more than just my interest, it has stolen my heart! The book is called BREADCRUMBS. It’s fabulous. Watch for it this coming fall!

WaldenFans.com: Who designed the covers?

Ingrid: A very talented illustrator named Brandon Dorman created the covers for both of my books. He also created the few interior illustrations in the hard cover editions. You can see more of his fabulous work at www.brandondorman.com

WaldenFans.com: What was the hardest part of writing the Savvy series?

Ingrid: One of the trickiest parts about writing these books is striking just the right balance between the fantasy and real-world conflicts, as well as the internal versus external conflicts. There is no evil super villain the kids have to defeat. They do not have to save the world. They are concerned with family and friends and with learning about who they are, inside and out. The kids need to face everyday challenges in both everyday and extraordinary ways–all while having some larger-than-life adventures!

WaldenFans.com: Did you learn anything from writing the Savvy series, and what was it?

Ingrid: I believe every experience gives us the opportunity to learn. I learn more about myself and the world whenever I write. Even though my books are considered fantasy, I do a lot of research and I visit the places I write about, seeing and learning all sorts of unexpected things.

WaldenFans.com: Do you have any advice for other writers?

Ingrid: My best advice for any writer, young or old, is: 1) Be brave–write what you love! 2) Read a lot. Good readers make great writers. And, 3) Have fun with your first draft, then be willing to work hard and revise, revise, revise.

WaldenFans.com: Finally, if you write a 3rd book in the Savvy series, do you have ideas for the direction you’d like it to go?

Ingrid: I plan to switch again to the viewpoint of another character–most likely to that of Gypsy Beaumont. A lot of kids want to know why I choose to do this instead of sticking with the POV of the character they got to know and love in a previous book. The answer is that it gives me the opportunity to explore the idea of having a savvy birthday–of finding one’s center through the process of growing up and changing–from a variety of perspectives. There are so many different kinds of kids in our world, each one with his or her own challenges. I want to show that that is the case with my magical ‘savvy’ kids as well.

NAPPA has been trusted for almost twenty years as the “go-to” source for parents to find the best books, toys, music and parenting resources. Its seal is highly regarded as a stamp of quality – NAPPA’s rigorous testing and evaluation process assures parents that a product bearing its seal is the best of the best.

Walden is honored that SAVVY, the Newbery Honor Award-winning novel joins this group. SAVVY, the story of Mib Beaumont’s and her family’s magical powers, or savvies, has earned numerous accolades. Its author, first-time novelist Ingrid Law, recently appeared on NBC’s The Today Show to discuss it. Watch the video here, and visit NAPPA’s website to learn about other NAPPA-winning products for both children and parents.

Al’s Book Club for Kids has become synonymous with outstanding children’s literature. The club began in 2007 as a way to get kids to keep reading and not experience the “summer slide”. Roker chooses books for kids between the ages of 9-11 and then gives them the opportunity to discuss what they are reading. Past selections have included The Golden Compass, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, and The Tale of Despereaux, in addition to other acclaimed titles.

Ingrid Law is thrilled to be part of this growing institution and said, “It’s wonderful to have the opportunity to share SAVVY with Al’s Book Club. After all, the only ‘summer slide’ we should aim for in children’s reading is the one kids can find in the playgrounds of their imagination.”

Lauri Hornik, President and Publisher of Dial Books for Young Readers commented, “Al Roker has such perfect taste! All of our hopes for the fabulous SAVVY have now come true with this exciting news, and we couldn’t be happier.”

Francis X Flaherty, EVP Publisher of Walden Media is equally enthused and said, “Walden Media has always worked to bring classic stories to a wide audience through our films and publishing division. We are so glad that through Mr. Roker’s book club SAVVY can continue in that tradition.”

SAVVY (Dial Books for Young Readers/Walden Media; May 2008; ages 8-12) is the story of the Beaumonts, an eclectic family who can move mountains, stir up hurricanes and spark electricity. Each of them possess a “savvy”– a special power that erupts when they turn thirteen — and young Mibs Beaumont is celebrating her big birthday in two days. Mibs is eager to blow out her thirteen candles, but more importantly, she can’t wait to discover her savvy. When her day arrives, she finds herself on an odyssey that will force her to make sense of growing up — and of others, who also might have a few secrets hidden just beneath their skin.

Ingrid Law is a big fan of words and stories, small towns and big ideas. Born in New York, Ingrid’s family moved to Colorado when she was six years old. Now the mother of a teenage daughter, Ingrid still lives in Colorado, where she is hard at work on a sequel to SAVVY. Scumble is scheduled for publication in fall 2010.

Dial Books for Young Readers, established in 1961, is a hardcover division publishing approximately 50 titles a year for children of all ages. One of the first houses to publish high-quality board books and an early leader in multicultural publishing, Dial continues to focus on books that combine artistic excellence and kid-relevance, and has expanded its reach to novels for children and young adults.

Walden Media specializes in entertainment for the whole family. Past award-winning and highly successful films include: The Chronicles of Narnia franchise, Journey to the Center of the Earth, and Charlotte’s Web. Upcoming films include The Tooth Fairy starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Ramona and Beezus based on the best-selling books by Beverly Cleary.

For more information, visit www.walden.com

Awards for SAVVY include:

• 2009 Newbery Honor Book
• An ALA Notable Book for Children 2009
• New York Times Bestseller
• Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Award
• A Kirkus Best Children’s Book of 2008 (Starred review)
• A Publisher’s Weekly Best Book of 2008 (Starred review)
• Booklist “Top Ten First Novels for Youth 2008″ (Starred review)
• Booklinks “Lasting Connection 2008″
• #1 Children’s Booksense Pick
• Publisher’s Weekly Flying Start
• Borders Original Voices Selection
• Association of Booksellers for Children New Voices Pick
• 2009-2010 Texas Bluebonnet Master List Choice
• Oprah’s Reading List Pick
• New York Public Library “100 Best Books for Reading and Sharing”
• A San Francisco Chronicle Best Fiction Book for Young Readers 2008
• A Kansas City Star Noteworthy Children’s Book 2008
• A Chicago Tribune “Book Not to Miss” 2008
• 2008 Cuffie Award: “Book We Couldn’t Stop Talking About”
• 2008 Cuffie Award: “Favorite Jacket”
• 2009 Cybil Award nominee
• 2009 Andre Norton Nebula Award Nominee
• 2009 Indie Choice Nominee: Best Young Adult Buzz Book
• 2009-2010 Virginia Readers’ Choice Award Master List
• 2010 New York State Reading Assoc. Charlotte Award Suggested Reading List, Primary
• 2009-2010 Keystone State Reading Assoc. Young Adult Book Award Master List (PA)
• 2009 Kansas State Reading Circle Recommended Reading List, Kansas Title
• 2009-2010 Maine Student Book Award List
• 2009-2010 Black Eyed Susan Book Award Master List (Maryland)
• 2009-2010 Rhode Island Children’s Book Award Master List
• 2009-2010 Dorothy Canfield Fisher Book Award Master List (Vermont)

Four Newbery Honor Books were named: “The Underneath,” by Kathi Appelt, illustrated by David Small, and published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing; “The Surrender Tree: Poems of Cuba’s Struggle for Freedom,” by Margarita Engle and published by Henry Holt and Company LLC; “Savvy,” by Ingrid Law and published by Dial Books for Young Readers, a division of Penguin Young Readers Group in partnership with Walden Media, LLC; “After Tupac & D Foster,” by Jacqueline Woodson and published by G. P. Putnam’s Sons, a division of Penguin Books for Young Readers.

Walden’s publishing division recently published the novel in partnership with Penguin Young Readers Group.

The story revolves around a Midwestern family with superpowers. Law, who has been living in a trailer park up until now, is drawing rave reviews for her first novel.

As with other Walden projects in development, “Savvy” is expected to be distributed through 20th Century Fox and marketed by Fox Walden.

In celebration of the May 2008 title Savvy, published by Walden Media and Dial Books, we are excited to help launch the Walden Media BookShare Club. This online forum, hosted on Walden.com, is a place for registered members of our web site to join an active community of book lovers and discuss our upcoming titles with the authors and publishing teams who created them. To kick off the club, first-time author Ingrid Law, and her editor, Alisha Niehaus, will answer members’ questions about Savvy in the BookShare forum on walden.com.

About the book – Savvy

Mibs Beaumont is about to become a teenager. As if that prospect weren’t scary enough, thirteen is when a Beaumont’s savvy strikes. It promises to be outrageous…and positively thrilling. But before her big day, Poppa is in a terrible accident. Will Mibs’s new savvy be able to save Poppa? It will take one extraordinary adventure across the state of Kansas to find out. In stores this May.

About the author – Ingrid Law

Ingrid Law has sold shoes, worked in a bookstore, helped other people get jobs and assembled boxes for frozen eggplant burgers. She and her twelve-year-old daughter live in Boulder, Colorado, in a lovely mobile home that they like to believe is a cross between a spaceship and a shoe box. They enjoy writing on its walls and painting its ceiling, have two harps, a flute, a ukulele and a shared fondness for muffins. Savvy is her first book.

Deal was announced in conjunction with the acquisition by Walden and Penguin Young Readers Group of North American rights to the novel in a preemptive multibook deal. “Savvy” will be published by Dial Books for Young Readers/Walden Media in May.

Story centers on a family whose members discover, upon turning 13, that they possess supernatural powers that they’ll retain for the rest of their lives, such as making it rain for days or creating furious gusts of wind. When the latest family member is about to hit 13, her life’s turned upside down by a tragic accident.

Law’s the author and illustrator of “The Faerie Wedding Tale” and “A Quilt for Uncle Paul.” “Savvy” is the fifth book to be published under the joint venture between Walden and Penguin Young Readers Group and the third to be optioned for a feature film.

Walden’s adapted several other novels into features including “The Chronicles of Narnia” books, “Holes” and “Bridge to Terabithia.”

[Variety]