Upside down magic sticks and stones is a concept that explores the idea of unconventional magic and the power of individuality. In traditional magical academies, students are taught to embrace and enhance their magical abilities, but what happens when a student's magic is not what is expected? That is where upside down magic comes in. In the world of upside down magic, students who possess different or seemingly weaker magic are often segregated or labeled as "flares" for their unpredictable abilities. Instead of being celebrated and nurtured, these students are often misunderstood and undervalued. Sticks and stones, in this context, represent the struggles and discrimination that upside down magic students face. They signify the taunts, insults, and exclusion they experience from their counterparts who have more conventional or powerful magic.
With cute dragon-kittens, wrestling with wonko magic, forging friendships and overcoming school bullies, what’s not to love? So I asked my daughter and her friends what they didn’t like about Upside-Down Magic. There were a few aspects that my nine year old wasn’t happy with in the first book. (This is after the second time we read it.) The main character is rejected out-of-hand by her father and she has to go live with a relative because her magic isn’t good enough for his approval. That’s pretty harsh. Then Elliott is mercilessly teased by the bullying flares who call themselves The Sparkies, and our readers thought it would be better if the main characters hadn’t spent most of the first book trying to get out of the class the story was all about. None of these shortcomings were present in the second book, which has now been declared my daughter’s favorite.
The main character is rejected out-of-hand by her father and she has to go live with a relative because her magic isn t good enough for his approval. In the first Upside-Down Magic book, Nory s father sends her away to live with her Aunt Margot and attend Dunwiddle School, which hosts one of the new UDM classes springing up around the nation.
They signify the taunts, insults, and exclusion they experience from their counterparts who have more conventional or powerful magic. These students are metaphorically "stuck" in a system that fails to recognize their potential and limitations, while the "stones" thrown at them are the derogatory remarks and doubt cast upon their abilities. However, this story also highlights the importance of embracing one's uniqueness and individuality.
Upside-Down Magic #02, Sticks & Stones - Paperback
The kids in Upside-Down Magic know their magic is a little out of control. But that doesn't make them weird -- it only makes them human. Readers aged 8-12.
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The Upside-Down Magic kids are back in another topsy-turvy adventure in the next installment of this New York Times bestselling series, now a Disney Channel Original Movie!
The kids in Upside-Down Magic know their magic is a little out of control. But that doesn't make them weird -- it only makes them human.
Strange things are happening at Dunwiddle Magic School and the Upside-Down Magic class is getting blamed!
Yes, Marigold did shrink Lacey Clench to the size of a gerbil. But that was an accident. And, yes, most people weren't prepared for Nory to transform into a squippy (that's half squid, half puppy)-but it's not like Nory meant to mix up paws and tentacles. And while Bax does have the unfortunate magical condition of turning into a stone, he swears he has nothing to do with the rocky magic that's been happening in Dunwiddle's halls.
When things get messy, it's easy to point your finger at the kids with the messiest magic. But the Upside-Down Magic students aren't going to let themselves get in trouble. Instead, they're going to find out what's really going on-and get their school back on track before something really wacky happens.
Authors: Sarah Mlynowski, Lauren Myracle, and Emily Jenkins
Paperback, 208 pages, Ages 8-12. Publisher: Scholastic, May 30, 2017.
Kids who have unusual quirks in their magic are defined as upside-down. (It’s impolite to call it wonky.) For instance, some of the kids in her class might make it rain inside, float to the ceiling, see sound waves, or freeze things instead of using fiery flare magic.
Instead of conforming to societal norms, upside down magic students learn to harness their unconventional abilities and find their own place in the magical world. Ultimately, the concept of upside down magic sticks and stones reminds us that diversity should be celebrated, and our differences can be our greatest strengths. By flipping the perspective on traditional magic, this concept encourages inclusivity and challenges the notion of what is considered normal or powerful in the magical realm..
Reviews for "The Role of Ritual: Empowering Spells and Magick with Sticks and Stones"
1. John - 2 stars
The third book in the "Upside Down Magic" series, "Sticks and Stones," failed to live up to my expectations. While the previous books had some intriguing magical elements and a captivating storyline, this one fell flat. The plot felt repetitive and predictable, lacking the freshness and excitement of its predecessors. The characters also seemed to lose their charm, with their actions and dialogues becoming clichéd and uninteresting. Overall, I found "Sticks and Stones" to be a disappointing addition to the series, and I'm unsure if I'll continue reading the next installment.
2. Emily - 3 stars
Having enjoyed the first two books, I was excited to dive into "Upside Down Magic: Sticks and Stones." Unfortunately, this third book left me feeling underwhelmed. The storyline felt disjointed, and the pacing was inconsistent, making it difficult for me to fully engage with the plot. Additionally, the introduction of new characters didn't bring much excitement, as their development felt rushed and somewhat forced. While there were some fun magical moments, they were overshadowed by the book's overall lack of depth and substance. I hope that the next book in the series will recapture the magic of the earlier installments.
3. Sarah - 2.5 stars
"Sticks and Stones" was a letdown compared to the previous books in the "Upside Down Magic" series. The plot seemed rushed and lacked a cohesive structure, making it hard to fully invest in the story. The character development also took a backseat, with most of the characters feeling one-dimensional and lacking growth. The attempts at humor often fell flat, and the magical world-building felt uninspired. Overall, this book failed to capture the charm and excitement of its predecessors, and I'm left hoping that the series will regain its magic in the next installment.
4. Mike - 2 stars
As a fan of the "Upside Down Magic" series, I was deeply disappointed by "Sticks and Stones." The plot felt convoluted and scattered, making it difficult to follow along and connect with the story. The introduction of new magical abilities seemed forced and unnecessary, detracting from the overall charm of the series. I also found the character interactions to be lackluster, with their dialogue feeling flat and contrived. It's a shame to see a series I once enjoyed take such a downturn, and I'm unsure if I'll continue reading the next book.