Coming of Age / Emotional Growth

Coming of age is a theme used throughout the novel as the reader follows the growth of several of the characters in the novel, both in terms of their growth from children to young adults, but also their emotional growth. The primary character in the novel is Mibs Beaumont, who is turning thirteen. In the beginning of the book, Mibs is the typical twelve year old who dreams of her teenage years, but Mibs is also special in that she is to gain her special power, or savvy, on her birthday. When her father is severely injured in an accident, however, Mibs shows her age by being momentarily angry at her father. Although this is quickly overcome, it does show the natural emotional response of a child. Over the course of the novel, Mibs is forced to come to terms with her transition into...