The Upside-Down Magic book series is a popular children's book series written by Sarah Mlynowski, Lauren Myracle, and Emily Jenkins. It revolves around a magical school called Dunwiddle Magic School and a group of students who have unconventional and mismatched magical abilities. The main idea of the Upside-Down Magic series is the celebration of differences and the power of embracing uniqueness. The authors emphasize the idea that being different is not something to be ashamed of, but rather something to be proud of. This concept is particularly important for the main characters of the series, who have unusual magical abilities that don't fit into traditional categories. The series follows the journey of Nory, a young girl with a magical ability to transform into different animals, but with a twist – she turns into a combination of different animals.
After reading the article and participating in some of the Twitter talk, I looked at my middle grade reading very differently. I love this category in general. Middle Grade books are what kicked off my love of children’s literature. But the professionals – teachers, librarians, authors – on Twitter are right. It’s a diverse category trying to be all things to all readers who are at a pivotal time in their development as readers. I’m not sure there is any other reading category that has to cover the same sort of spread as Middle Grade.
and some kids in this age group will push toward teen YA books like Maze Runner and Hunger Games , but in general these books would have appealed to my sixth graders. Then there are the books that work for the whole range Dork Diaries Wimpy Kid, animal stories, graphic novels, super hero stories, mysteries and fantasy stories that are mostly action-focused.
The series follows the journey of Nory, a young girl with a magical ability to transform into different animals, but with a twist – she turns into a combination of different animals. Nory and her friends, who have their own unusual magical abilities, are placed in a special class called Upside-Down Magic, where they are taught to control and use their powers effectively. Throughout the series, the Upside-Down Magic class faces challenges and obstacles, both magical and personal.
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When a fifth grade spot comes open at Sage Academy, Nory’s father, the headmaster, brings her in for another audition. Thanks to her work at Dunwiddle in the UDM class, Nory displays enough control over her magic to get the spot. After winter break, she’ll be a student at Sage with her brother and sister.
Nory’s friends from Dunwiddle get the chance to check out Sage, too, when a flooding issue sends all the Dunwiddle students to alternate schools for the last few days of term.
While the UDM kids expect some trouble from the mean kids from Dunwiddle who always hassle them, they aren’t sure what to expect from the Sage kids. They are in for some surprises – maybe Nory most of all when she sees the impact Sage has on her magic.
Review
I have enjoyed this series from the beginning. Each of the kids has interesting magic. But the core of the series is Nory. And this book brings Nory and her family dynamic back to the forefront.
It’s still tragically sad that Nory’s father doesn’t “get” her or really even listen to her when she expresses how she feels about Sage. At least her friends truly see and hear her.
I liked how the kids at Sage responded to the UDM kids. Sure, there were some who were sticklers for the rules. But otherwise, the Sage kids were more kind than even some of the “normal” magic kids at Dunwiddle.
A major cliffhanger at the end of this will leave fans FRANTIC for the next book in the series. (At the time of this writing, there is no release date posted for book 8, Night Owl!) Readers who love ensemble stories or middle grade fantasy as well as fans of this series should not miss this one!
Rating: ♥♥♥♥*
*♥♥♥♥ = Great! Might re-read
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The authors explore themes of friendship, self-acceptance, and perseverance. The characters learn to embrace their differences and work together to overcome obstacles, ultimately realizing that their unique abilities have their own strengths and advantages. The Upside-Down Magic series has been praised for its inclusivity and positive representation of diverse characters. The authors tackle issues such as discrimination and bullying, showing young readers the importance of acceptance and understanding. Overall, the Upside-Down Magic book series takes readers on an exciting and magical journey while teaching them valuable life lessons. It encourages children to embrace their individuality and celebrates the power of being different..
Reviews for "Diving into the Upside Down Magic Universe: An In-Depth Analysis"
- Emily - 2 stars - I was really excited to read the Upside Down Magic book series because I love magic and fantasy stories. However, I was quite disappointed with this series. The plot felt disjointed and rushed, and the characters were one-dimensional. I didn't feel any connection with them and found it hard to root for them. Additionally, the writing style was mediocre, lacking in sophistication and creativity. Overall, I found the Upside Down Magic series to be a letdown and wouldn't recommend it to others.
- Jacob - 2 stars - The Upside Down Magic book series was a major disappointment for me. The concept of kids with unconventional magical abilities had so much potential, but it was not executed well. The storyline lacked depth and complexity, and the conflicts felt contrived and forced. The characters were forgettable and lacked development. Moreover, the writing style was bland and lacked the magic and wonder that is expected in a fantasy series. I was hoping for so much more, but unfortunately, the Upside Down Magic series fell flat for me.
- Sarah - 3 stars - I wanted to love the Upside Down Magic book series, but I couldn't fully connect with it. While the idea of a magic school and unique powers was intriguing, I found the execution to be lacking. The pacing was inconsistent, with some parts feeling rushed and others dragging on. The characters, though diverse, weren't fleshed out enough for me to care about their journeys. Additionally, the writing style was simplistic and lacked depth. Overall, the Upside Down Magic series had potential, but it didn't live up to my expectations.