"Chandra Upsiѕe Down Magic" is a children's book series written by Sarah Mlynowski, Lauren Myracle, and Emily Jenkins. The series follows the adventures of a young girl named Chandra, who attends a magical school called Sage Academy. Unlike her classmates, who possess extraordinary magical abilities, Chandra's magic doesn't work as intended. Instead of controlling fire, Chandra accidentally freezes things. This unconventional ability earns her a spot in a special magic class called "Upsiѕe Down" with other misfit students who also struggle to control their magic. Throughout the series, Chandra and her Upsiѕe Down classmates navigate the challenges of being different in a school full of talented wizards and witches.
She is an evil shadow creature in the guise of a Flare student of the Sage Academy for Magical Studies. Due to an incident years before the film, it was believed Shadow Magic preys on Upside-Down Magic users, so Sage Academy began forcing them to lose their magic powers believing it was for the good of humanity. In reality, Shadow Magic preys on powerful but insecure students and forces them to let it inside so Chandra can possess them and create havoc. She is Reina Carvajal and Nory Horace's archenemy.
The villainess stated that Reginald was insecure and powerful, and that Reina was more insecure and even more powerful, while manipulating Reina into allowing Chandra to control her. The Flares fireball is easily extinguished, the Fuzzies bird allies are scared away, the Fliers are forced back down to Earth by the Shadow s power, the Fluxer can only turn into harmless barn and house animals, and the Flickers attempt to pull it apart only cause it to split into more monsters.
Throughout the series, Chandra and her Upsiѕe Down classmates navigate the challenges of being different in a school full of talented wizards and witches. They learn to embrace their unique abilities and find creative ways to make them useful. Despite the ups and downs of their magical journey, Chandra and her friends develop a strong bond as they tackle various quests and challenges together.
Upside Down Magic Movie Review
Upside Down Magic On Disney DVD Now!
If you watch The Disney Channel then you have probably seen advertisements for the new movie Upside Down Magic. It was released in July of 2020 and has just come out on DVD. The movie is based on the novel “Upside-Down Magic” by Sarah Mlynowski, Lauren Myracle, and Emily Jenkins, but there is actually a series of books! You can find them on Amazon HERE. My girls and I recently watched Upside Down Magic and here are our thoughts!
Disclaimer: I did receive a DVD copy of Upside Down Magic in exchange for my review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
My Review
I thought Upside Down Magic was cute! If your kids are fans of Harry Potter then they should enjoy Upside Down Magic. If you are looking to introduce a movie before introducing Harry Potter then Upside Down Magic is a good lead-in. I really liked the lessons to be learned from the movie, and truly felt for Nory and her classmates as they tried to show everyone that they were not misfits/outcasts, but worth something. Personally, I hope Disney makes a sequel.
My Rating/Safe for Kids?
Upside Down Magic is basically a made for TV movie, but an ok one. I give it a C+. (I don’t think it is better than Descendants though.) Now, Upside Down Magic is supposed to be a kid’s movie, but I must say it has some fairly scary parts. So while my 5-year-old watched the movie with me she has stated she would not want to see it again because it scared her a little bit. Because of this, I recommend the movie for ages 7 and up.
Upside Down Magic Bingo Activity Sheet
In Upside Down Magic Nory transforms herself into some very interesting animals. So, click HERE to grab an Upside Down Magic Bingo Activity Sheet and see how many animal transformations you can spot!
Synopsis
When 13-year-old Nory discovers she can flux into animals and best pal Reina can manipulate flames, they enter the Sage Academy for Magical Studies. But Nory’s wonky magic and tendency for turning into a “Dritten” – a half-kitten, half-dragon – lands her in a class for those with unconventional powers, and she and her classmates must prove that their upside-down magic beats right-side up!
Cast
Izabela Rose as Nory Boxwood Horace; Siena Agudong as Reina Carvajal; Kyle Howardas Budd Skriff; Max Torinaas Andres Padillo; Elie Samouhias Elliot Cohen; Alison Fernandez as Pepper Paloma; Vicki Lewis as Headmaster Knightslinger; Yasmeen Fletcher as Chandra; Callum Seagram Airlie as Phillip; Cynthia McWilliams as Professor Argon; Elaine Hao as Professor Han; Amitai Marmorstein as Professor Lewis
Trailer
Bonus Material
- Bloopers (DVD Exclusive) – Laugh along with the cast as they flub their lines, make mistakes, and act goofy on set.
- Deleted Scenes
- #1 (DVD Exclusive) –“Night Before Sage”
- #2 (DVD Exclusive) –“How’d You Do?”
- #3 (DVD Exclusive) –“Hey, Goat”
- #4 (DVD Exclusive) –“Don’t Wait Up”
- #5 (DVD Exclusive) –“Ready for Anything”
- #1 – “Everything’s Magic” Performed by the Cast
- #2 – “A Place For Us” Performed by Izabela Rose & Siena Agudong
If you are looking for another inspiring movie from Disney then make sure you check out my review of Safety HERE. You can watch it on Disney+ now.
Izabela Rose as Nory Boxwood Horace; Siena Agudong as Reina Carvajal; Kyle Howardas Budd Skriff; Max Torinaas Andres Padillo; Elie Samouhias Elliot Cohen; Alison Fernandez as Pepper Paloma; Vicki Lewis as Headmaster Knightslinger; Yasmeen Fletcher as Chandra; Callum Seagram Airlie as Phillip; Cynthia McWilliams as Professor Argon; Elaine Hao as Professor Han; Amitai Marmorstein as Professor Lewis
The series explores themes of friendship, self-acceptance, and the power of individuality. "Chandra Upsiѕe Down Magic" is beloved by young readers for its relatable characters and magical adventures. The stories entertain while also teaching important lessons about embracing one's differences and celebrating the strengths within us all. With its imaginative world-building and engaging storytelling, "Chandra Upsiѕe Down Magic" continues to captivate readers of all ages. Whether you're a fan of fantasy, adventure, or stories about friendship, this series offers a delightful and magical reading experience..
Reviews for "The Legacy of Chandra uoside down magic: Its Influence on Contemporary Fantasy"
1. Emma - 2 stars -
I was really disappointed with "Chandra Uoside Down Magic". I found the storyline to be confusing and lacking in substance. The characters were underdeveloped and it was hard to connect with any of them. The writing style was also subpar, with awkward dialogue and repetitive descriptions. Overall, I struggled to get through this book and wouldn't recommend it to others.
2. Jonathan - 2 stars -
"Chandra Uoside Down Magic" fell flat for me. The plot felt rushed and poorly executed, leaving me feeling unsatisfied. The magical elements were also poorly explained, making it hard to suspend disbelief. The characters lacked depth and their actions often felt inconsistent. I was hoping for an engaging and immersive fantasy read, but this book failed to deliver.
3. Sarah - 3 stars -
I had high hopes for "Chandra Uoside Down Magic", but it didn't quite live up to my expectations. While the concept of a magical school was intriguing, the execution fell short. The pacing was slow, and the story lacked a sense of urgency. Additionally, I found some of the characters to be clichéd and stereotypical. However, the book did have some redeeming qualities, such as the diverse cast of characters and occasional moments of humor. Overall, it was an average read for me.
4. Michael - 2 stars -
"Chandra Uoside Down Magic" was a major letdown. The world-building was weak, leaving many unanswered questions and inconsistencies. The plot was predictable and lacked originality. The main character, Chandra, was also frustrating and not very likable. I had hoped for a captivating and immersive fantasy, but unfortunately, this book didn't deliver. I wouldn't recommend it to others looking for a well-crafted and compelling read.
The Elements of Magic in Chandra uoside down magic: An Exploration