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Saffy's Angel
- By Hilary McKay
- Genre: Coming of Age
Common Sense Media says
Colorful story of quirky, loving, artistic family.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this novel features kids using poor judgment: Indigo hangs out his window in order to cure his vertigo, Rose eats paint, and Saffy, the central character, hides in her friend's car to join her family on vacation (without telling her mother).
What's the story?
Saffy's not quite sure of her place in her chaotic, artistic family. First, she learns that she was adopted (by her mother's twin, making her brother and sisters actually her cousins). Then, her grandfather, with whom she always imagined a special relationship, dies.
When he leaves her a "stone angel" in his will, Saffy and her best friend hatch a sneaky plan to get from England to Italy (Saffy was living there when her mother died and reasons that's where the angel must be). But when Saffy returns back home, she finds it is where she is meant to be after all -- and where her mysterious angel is, too.
Is it any good?
The plotting is solid, but it's the characters that make this book such a fantastic read. This is the story of adopted Saffy finding her place in her family, sure, but it's also an introduction to the nice, but nutty, Cassons. Saffy's family members are flawed but also creative and loyal, including mother Eve, who forgets things like dinner, and who is overly permissive because she believes her kids "were in every way more talented, intelligent, and wise than she would ever be."
The only character who isn't particularly sympathetic is Bill, the father, who spends his week acting the part of an artist in London, belittling his talented wife who must juggle her work and four children alone at home. But he is shot down at times by his outspoken offspring, and ultimately learns to see his wife's artistic ability. In the end, this is a funny and tender novel. Readers will fall in love with the Cassons, and be excited to get Hilary McKay's other books about the children who live and create in the unkempt Banana House.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the Cassons' hands-off parenting style, while restating their own philosophy and rules.
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AGE
Favorite book from when I was young~
I first read this when I was about 8 or 9, and I really loved it. I reread it again a year ago, and I still loved it. It's a great book with a great theme, and I recommend it to everyone.
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AGE
One of the most wonderful books for preteens
This book (and the rest of the Casson family series) is wonderful. They are all well-written, funny, and inspiring. Each character is quirky and lovable. Great book!
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Kid, 12 years old
March 31, 2010
AGE
I thought this book was great, and was very funny. The only things I am concerned about are role models, because Saffy's aunt (Eva) lets the kids do dangerous things that parents should NOT let there kids do, and Sarah is spoiled and may have younger kids think that they can get whatever they want just because they whine alot. Also, I think that the author should put the series number on the front of the book, because I heard that there were three books (Saffy's Angel, Indigo's Star, and Perminent Rose) and I got confused and mixed up. But other than that, I think it is great and very funny and everyone would enjoy it.
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AGE
Wonderful!
I love this book, mostly because of the characters. The story focuses on The Casson family. Both of the Casson parents are artists, although Bill is a "professional" artist and lives and works in London whereas Eve simply paints in her shed. Their children, Cadmium, Saffron, Indigo and Permanent Rose (Caddy, Saffy, Indy and Rose) are the best though. They are all named after paint colors, and each are dealing with some kind of problem; Rose is helping Indigo overcome his fear of heights by jumping out of a windows with him; Caddy is trying to learn to drive while flirting with her driving instructor, Michael, who is fending her of with an imaginary girlfriend; and Saffy , with her newfound friend Sarah, is trying to find her Angel. Michael's reaction is priceless when he drops Caddy of at her house only to find that she has to retrieve indigo, who is sitting with his legs out of a second floor reaction. A good book for every one, but under 8 might not understand parts of the plot and character reactions.
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Kid, 11 years old
July 7, 2011
AGE
AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I absolutely LOVE this book cause of the characters
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AGE
A funny, good book
Saffy's Angel is about a girl named Saffy. She lives with her aunt and her cousins, but she's always thought of them as her parents and brother and sisters. When her Grandfather dies, he leaves something for each of his grandchildren. To Saffy, he leaves her "Angel". She thinks it is in Italy, at her moms old house. Her rich, spoiled friend Sarah gets to go on a trip to Italy, and Saffy stows away with her. This book was funny and interesting. I thought Eve (Saffy's Aunt) was funny and I liked the idea of their messy, artistic house. Also, the most funny parts were with Saffy's cousin Caddy and her driving instructor, Michael, who secretly have crushes on each other.
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| Author: | Hilary McKay |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Coming of Age |
| Publisher: | Simon & Schuster |
| Publication date: | June 10, 2005 |
| Number of pages: | 160 |
| Hardcover price: | $16.00 |
| Paperback price: | $4.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 9 - 12 |
| Read aloud: | 9 |
| Read alone: | 10 |
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