Flipped Magic by Lauren Myracle is a thrilling fantasy novel that tells the story of Lark, a young girl with a mysterious gift for seeing magic. In this enchanting world, magic is hidden in plain sight, with ordinary objects and even people possessing extraordinary powers. Lark's ability allows her to see this magic and becomes a central plot point in the story. The story begins with Lark discovering her magical gift and trying to navigate the complexities of this new world. She befriends a group of misfits and together they embark on a quest to uncover the truth behind their magical abilities. Along the way, they encounter a cast of colorful characters and face numerous challenges that test their loyalty and bravery.
There are five different types of magic, according to your natural abilities. Some kids, like Nory’s older brother, are Flares and can create fire. Others, like her sister, are Fuzzies, and have talents for attracting and working with animals. There are also Flickers and Flyers and Fluxers, like Nory. Fluxers can turn into different kinds of animals. The problem is that Nory doesn’t turn into regular animals; she turns into her own creative combinations, like the beaver kitten that chewed her father’s office up while she was practicing for her test.
The other feature of the series I enjoy is one that I never would have noticed as a child, and that is that the students in this series get the support they need and deserve. Luckily for Nory, her father is the headmaster of the best magic school around Sage Academy and her older brother and sister always ace their magic classes.
Along the way, they encounter a cast of colorful characters and face numerous challenges that test their loyalty and bravery. One of the central themes in Flipped Magic is the power of perception and how it influences our understanding of the world. Lark's ability to see magic gives her a unique perspective, allowing her to unravel the secrets hidden in plain sight.
Book Review: “Upside Down Magic” by Sarah Mlynowski, Lauren Myracle, & Emily Jenkins
In the world of Upside Down Magic, all children begin their magical training in the fifth grade. Luckily for Nory, her father is the headmaster of the best magic school around – Sage Academy – and her older brother and sister always ace their magic classes. Unluckily for Nory, her out-of-control magic means that she flunks the entrance exam for Sage Academy, and instead has to attend a special class at public school for students whose magic is a little…wonky.
But they prefer the term “upside down” – “wonky” is a little rude. Soon Nory finds herself in a classroom full of students whose magic doesn’t work quite the way it’s supposed to. Andres is supposed to be able to fly…but he isn’t able to come down. Pepper is supposed to be able to charm animals…but they’re all terrified of her. Elliot is supposed to be able to set things on fire…but he can also cause them to freeze. Nory can change into different animals, but instead of transforming into normal ones, like a kitten, she always ends up as something odd – like a dragon-kitten-beaver. Can Nory and the other students accept that “different” doesn’t mean bad?
This Early Reader/Middle Grade novel takes the typical format of a school days series (like Ramona or Diary of a Wimpy Kid) and gives it a fun little twist with the often amusing magic that Nory and her friends can work. For young readers who are fantasy enthusiasts, eagerly reading J.K. Rowling and Rick Riordan, Upside Down Magic is likely going to be disappointing, as the story focuses more on Nory’s self-acceptance and classroom experiences (making friends, being bullied, etc) than actual magic.
However, that just might make this the perfect read for kids who aren’t interested in exploring fantastical worlds, but prefer to stay a little closer to home. The magic in this book has the benefit of being kind of absurd, sure to get laughs out of its readers, and I appreciated the diverse cast of characters in the Upside Down Magic (UDM) classroom – although it’s a shame that Nory, who’s of mixed heritage, only appears in kitten-dragon form on the cover of the book.
Two moments in this book really stood out to me. The first is when Nory is first introduced to Elliot, a neighbor and fellow UDM student and, in the honest way of children, he asks her why she’s black if her aunt is white. Though this experience is a well-worn one for most mixed kids, it’s not an issue that appears in too many children’s books. I appreciated this moment of realness, present as part of Nory’s experience but not the main focus of the book.
The next moment comes a little later on, in a speech from Principal Gonzalez: “I will not tolerate bigotry. I will not tolerate unkindness about race, gender, orientation, family background, religion, weight, magical abilities, favorite candy, or anything else that distinguishes one person from another. Not here at Dunwiddle Magic School.” Okay, yes, this is a bit didactic for more seasoned readers, as blatantly put as a Berenstain Bears book about why stealing is wrong. But it’s a message that kids need to hear, one that should be as frequent and tired a message in children’s books as learning to share. That list of attributes – and that big word for young kids, “bigotry” – are ones that children should be familiar and comfortable with so that we can start training a generation to be more loving and accepting than our own.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher for review.
It’s common for the magic in fiction to be transparently metaphorical. (Buffy, anyone? Magic is drugs! Or sex! Or both!) The good news is that all tropes are new tropes to your average 8-12 year old. And what makes this work so well here, and why I endorse it, is specifically the fact that the character’s upside-down abilities closely mimic so many disabilities kids experience. Nory’s inability to focus on one form long enough to keep it parallels many a child’s experience with ADHD. Her friend Sebastian’s ability to see sounds leads to sensory overwhelm and, at times, complete meltdowns.
However, it also poses challenges and dangers, as not everyone believes or understands her gift. Myracle's writing style is engaging and filled with vivid imagery, bringing the magical world of Flipped Magic to life. The author creates a sense of wonder and intrigue, keeping the reader hooked from beginning to end. The characters are well-developed, with their own personal struggles and growth arcs throughout the story. Overall, Flipped Magic is a captivating fantasy novel that will appeal to readers of all ages. It explores themes of friendship, belief, and the power of perception. With its unique take on magic and relatable characters, this novel takes readers on a thrilling and enchanting journey..
Reviews for "Secrets and Spells: Unveiling the Magic in Lauren Myracle's Flipped"
1. John - 2/5 stars - I found "Flipped Magic" by Lauren Myracle to be quite disappointing. While the concept of magic and a flipped world seemed intriguing, the execution fell flat for me. The plot felt disjointed and rushed, leaving little time for character development or world-building. The magical elements also felt underdeveloped and lacked depth, making it difficult for me to fully engage with the story. Overall, I was left wanting more from this book and would not recommend it to those looking for a well-crafted fantasy novel.
2. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for "Flipped Magic," as I am a fan of Lauren Myracle's previous works. However, this book failed to capture my interest. The characters were unrelatable and lacked depth, making it hard for me to invest in their journeys. The magical world created in the story felt underdeveloped and poorly explained, leaving many unanswered questions and a general sense of confusion. The writing style also did not resonate with me, and I found myself skimming through large portions of the book. Unfortunately, "Flipped Magic" was a miss for me, and I would recommend looking elsewhere for a captivating magical read.
3. Emily - 1/5 stars - I couldn't finish "Flipped Magic" by Lauren Myracle. The writing style was juvenile and lacked sophistication, making it difficult for me to stay engaged. The characters felt one-dimensional and stereotypical, and the plot was predictable. The attempts at creating a magical world seemed forced and poorly executed. Overall, I found this book to be a disappointing and forgettable read. I would not recommend it to anyone looking for a well-written and imaginative fantasy novel.