Nory Horace is a 10-year-old girl with a magical ability in the Upside-Down Magic series. In this spin-off series from Scholastic, co-written by bestselling authors Sarah Mlynowski, Lauren Myracle, and Emily Jenkins, Nory is a unique character with a significant twist on traditional magical abilities. Instead of the standard powers expected from her magical lineage, Nory possesses a special talent for Upside-Down Magic. The main idea in this series revolves around Nory and her friends attending Sage Academy, a school for magical beings. There, they are placed in a special class called Upside-Down Magic or UDM, where students with unconventional abilities deemed too dangerous or uncontrollable for regular classes are grouped together. Nory's ability is particularly unusual, as her magic often backfires, causing her to transform herself into animals instead of casting specific spells.
The bad news? When a flood wrecks Dunwiddle, Nory and her UDM friends are forced to relocate…to Sage Academy!
Sure, there s a magical skunk garden, a school-wide Hide and Seek night, and expensive gloves that help Nory s friend Elliott with his flaring, but Nory s father and the rest of the teachers are super strict, and Nory doesn t feel like she fits in. Sure, there s a magical skunk garden, a school-wide Hide and Seek night, and expensive gloves that help Nory s friend Elliott with his flaring, but Nory s father and the rest of the teachers are super strict, and Nory doesn t feel like she fits in.
Nory's ability is particularly unusual, as her magic often backfires, causing her to transform herself into animals instead of casting specific spells. Throughout the series, Nory and her classmates face challenges and hurdles as they navigate their way through the unique curriculum of UDM. They must learn to accept and embrace their differences while also finding ways to control their magic.
Upside-Down Magic
When Nory’s magic first appeared, her father wanted her to go to fancy, selective Sage Academy, where he is the headmaster. But Nory’s magic went upside-down at the worst possible moment…and she was sent to Dunwiddle Magic School instead!
The good news? Nory loves Dunwiddle, and her best friends have upside-down magic too!
The bad news? When a flood wrecks Dunwiddle, Nory and her UDM friends are forced to relocate…to Sage Academy!
Sure, there's a magical skunk garden, a school-wide Hide and Seek night, and expensive gloves that help Nory's friend Elliott with his flaring, but Nory’s father and the rest of the teachers are super strict, and Nory doesn't feel like she fits in. at all. When she's offered the chance to stay at Sage for good, she has to decide where she belongs. and if Sage Academy can learn that magic comes in all shapes and sizes.
The overarching theme of the series centers around inclusivity, acceptance, and resilience. As Nory struggles to control her shape-shifting abilities, she forms close friendships with her UDM classmates. Together, they support each other and embark on various magical adventures. Along the way, Nory and her friends prove that, despite their magical mishaps, they are just as deserving of respect and success as any other student at Sage Academy. The Upside-Down Magic series combines humor, magic, and relatable coming-of-age themes. It sends a powerful message to readers about embracing their unique talents and celebrating their individuality, even when faced with adversity. Nory Horace's character serves as an inspiration to kids who may feel different or misunderstood, reminding them that their differences should be celebrated rather than hidden. Overall, Upside-Down Magic Nory presents an enchanting and empowering narrative for young readers. It encourages them to embrace their own magical capabilities, no matter how unconventional they may seem..
Reviews for "The Upside Down Magic Phenomenon: A Closer Look at Nory's Unique Abilities"
1. Stephanie - 2 stars - To be honest, I was quite disappointed with "Upside Down Magic: Nory". The plot felt rushed and the characters were not developed enough to make me care about them. The magic system was confusing and seemed inconsistent throughout the story. Overall, the book lacked depth and failed to captivate my interest. I was hoping for more from this series, but unfortunately, it fell short for me.
2. Michael - 1 star - I couldn't get into "Upside Down Magic: Nory" at all. The writing style felt juvenile and the dialogue was unrealistic. The story dragged on, and I found myself losing interest very quickly. The main character, Nory, was supposed to be endearing, but I found her quite annoying. It lacked the magic and charm that I was expecting, and I struggled to finish it. Overall, it was a disappointing read for me.
3. Jennifer - 2 stars - I was initially excited to read "Upside Down Magic: Nory," but it ended up being a letdown. The pacing was off, with certain parts feeling rushed and others dragging on. The concept of "upside down magic" was interesting, but I felt that it could have been explored more. The characters lacked depth, and I didn't feel connected to any of them. The book had potential, but it just didn't deliver for me.