Upside Down Magic is a book series written by authors Sarah Mlynowski, Lauren Myracle, and Emily Jenkins under the pen name E. Lockhart. This series follows the story of Nory Horace, a young girl who enters a magical school where she discovers she has a unique and unusual magical ability called Upside-Down Magic. The main idea of the Upside Down Magic series is the exploration of acceptance, individuality, and embracing differences. Nory's magical ability, called Fluxers, allows her to transform into animals. However, her abilities are considered unpredictable and "upside down" because she often transforms into a combination of different animals.
However, her abilities are considered unpredictable and "upside down" because she often transforms into a combination of different animals. Throughout the series, Nory and her friends - Elliott, Bax, Pepper, and Andres - face the challenges and prejudices associated with their unique magical abilities. They attend Dunwiddle Magic School, where they are placed in a special class specifically for kids with Upside-Down Magic.
Parent & Daughter Book Club – Upside-Down Magic
3 min read Our January book selection for girls in 2nd and 3rd grades is… Upside-Down Magic by Sarah Mlynowksi, Lauren Myracle, and Emily Jenkins Next week we’ll send everyone who has signed up for Book Club a Meeting Guide with Discussion Questions. Not signed up yet? Take me to the Book Club Sign Up!
About the Book
Nory is all set to begin 5th grade at Sage Academy. Her brother goes there. Her sister goes there. Her father is headmaster. There’s just the small matter of the admissions test. The problem is, Nory’s magic has a tendency to go all “wonky.” Even turning into something as simple as a black kitten goes awry. When her admissions test is a disaster, Nory’s father sends her away to a program for kids with upside-down magic. Nory is determined to suppress her weird magic and prove that she can do normal magic. She hopes that if she succeeds she’ll be allowed to go home. But, does getting rid of her wonky magic also mean getting rid of what makes her unique?
The Girls Leadership Connection
- How did it feel to be authentic? What was the reaction you got?
- When do you feel you have to fit in, and find yourself changing or hiding who you are in order to do so?
- When, and with whom, do you feel true belonging?
- What kind of support would help you be your true self more often?
- How could you support your kids and others in their authenticity?
Buy, borrow, or download a copy of this book and read it before your January book club meeting.
About the Authors
Emily Jenkins writes picture books and chapter books for young readers, and for young adults under the name E. Lockhart. Lauren Myracle writes for young readers through young adults. Sarah Mlynowksi writes the Whatever After series for young readers, as well as books for young adults. Together, they have written three books in the Upside-Down Magic series. To learn more about the series, visit the Scholastic series page.
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As the writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie said, “…what I want to say to young girls, is forget about likability … The world is such a wonderful, diverse, and multifaceted place that there’s somebody who’s going to like you; you don’t need to twist yourself into shapes.” Her whole speech at the Girls Write Now 2015 awards ceremony is worth a listen. It’s very short, and your book club might enjoy discussing Ms Adichie’s statements about truth and likability. (Head’s up: there is a minor swear word in the speech.)
In her book Daring Greatly, Brené Brown writes that “fitting in is one of the greatest barriers to belonging. Fitting in is about assessing a situation and becoming who you need to be in order to be accepted. Belonging, on the other hand, doesn’t require us to change who we are; it requires us to be who we are.”
Ask yourself, what kind of support do you need to simply be who you are? What can you do to support your daughter and others? To read more about Brené Brown’s research into belonging, shame, and whole-hearted living, check out her books and Ted Talks. You might even consider having a parents-only book club meeting. Daring Greatly and The Gifts of Imperfection are great reads for parents.
Since then, Sarah has written four additional novels for adults: Fishbowl, As Seen on TV, Monkey Business, and Me vs. Me; the New York Times bestselling middle grade series Whatever After; the middle grade series Upside-Down Magic (with Lauren Myracle and Emily Jenkins); and the teen novels Bras & Broomsticks, Frogs & French Kisses, Spells & Sleeping Bags, and Parties & Potions (all in the Magic in Manhattan series), as well as Gimme a Call, Ten Things We Did (And Probably Shouldn't Have), Don't Even Think About It, Think Twice, and I See London, I See France. Along with Lauren Myracle and E. Lockhart, Sarah also wrote How to Be Bad, and along with Farrin Jacobs, she wrote See Jane Write, a guide to writing. Sarah also co-edited two bestselling charity collections (Girls' Night In and Girls' Night Out), and has contributed to various anthologies (American Girls About Town, Sixteen: Stories About That Sweet and Bitter Birthday, 21 Proms, First Kiss (Then Tell), Fireworks, and Vacations from Hell).
The series examines themes of discrimination, as the Upside-Down Magic students are often singled out and treated differently by their peers and even some of the teachers. However, Nory and her friends learn to embrace and celebrate their differences, using their unique abilities to solve problems and prove their worth. They form a tight-knit group and go on magical adventures together, showcasing the power of friendship and unity. Upside Down Magic explores the idea that being different doesn't mean being less capable or valuable. Nory and her friends demonstrate the importance of self-acceptance and believing in oneself, despite society's prejudices. Overall, Upside Down Magic is a heartwarming and empowering book series that encourages readers to embrace their individuality and recognize the beauty in diversity. The series highlights the significance of empathy, acceptance, and understanding, teaching valuable lessons about inclusivity and the importance of standing up against discrimination..
Reviews for "The Upside Down Magic Series: A Journey into a World of Spellbinding Proportions"
1. Jane - 1/5 stars - I found "Upside Down Magic" by E. Lockhart to be extremely disappointing. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it difficult to connect with them. The plot was predictable and lacked any real excitement or surprises. Additionally, the writing style was dry and uninspiring. Overall, I would not recommend this book to others, as it did not live up to my expectations.
2. Mark - 2/5 stars - "Upside Down Magic" was a letdown for me. The concept of children with magical powers sounded intriguing, but the execution fell flat. The story felt rushed, and there was little character development. It seemed like the author focused more on trying to be unique and quirky rather than investing in a solid plotline. I struggled to become invested in the story and was left feeling underwhelmed.
3. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I was really excited to read "Upside Down Magic," as I am a fan of E. Lockhart's other works. However, this book did not live up to my expectations. The pacing was off, making it difficult to stay engaged in the story. The main characters were not well developed, and their relationships felt forced. Additionally, the magic system in the book was confusing and lacked clear rules. Overall, I did not enjoy this book as much as I had hoped.