The Upside Down Magic book series is a popular children's book series written by authors Sarah Mlynowski, Lauren Myracle, and Emily Jenkins. The series follows the adventures of a group of young students who possess magical abilities that are considered "upside down" or unconventional, making them different from the other students at the Magic School they attend. The main characters of the series are Nory, a young girl whose magic allows her to transform into different animals, and her best friend Elliott, who can turn himself into a dragon - but only a partially formed one. Throughout the series, Nory and Elliott navigate the challenges of being in a society that values traditional magic while they possess quirky and unusual magical abilities. Each book in the Upside Down Magic series focuses on a different character and their unique magical ability. The stories revolve around the characters' struggles to fit in and find acceptance, both among their peers and within themselves.
Now that I have read and/or listened to most of these books, I have come to realize that there are a number of really important messages that weave their way through every book in the series. Two of my favorites are embracing differences in yourself and others and that it takes a village. Wow. Those are really amazing concepts to instill in kids without bashing them over the head with it. I especially like how they deal with the pressure that Nory gets from her father.
Now that I have read and or listened to most of these books, I have come to realize that there are a number of really important messages that weave their way through every book in the series. At that point, they come into their abilities and are supposed to fall into the neatly organized categories of magic fluxer, flicker, flare, fuzzy, and flyer.
The stories revolve around the characters' struggles to fit in and find acceptance, both among their peers and within themselves. The books touch on themes such as friendship, self-acceptance, and the importance of embracing one's individuality. The Upside Down Magic series has been praised for its diverse cast of characters and its positive messages about embracing differences.
Deeper Messages in Upside Down Magic
Imagine a world of magic where every child comes into their powers at 10. At that point, they come into their abilities and are “supposed” to fall into the neatly organized categories of magic – fluxer, flicker, flare, fuzzy, and flyer. Now imagine that when your magic comes in, it doesn’t quite fit the “normal” mold. That’s the concept behind the great series by Sarah Mlynowski, Lauren Myracle, and Emily Jenkins, Upside Down Magic.
My 8 year old daughter is in love with this series and I felt that I had to understand what drew her to it so much. Plus, I had listened to pieces of most of the books while with my daughter. The books center on Nory Horrace and her classmates who have magical abilities that don’t fit into the mold that everyone expects. Nory is a fluxer, someone who can change into animals, but rather than a single animal, she typically becomes a combination of things such as a kitten and dragon, a dritten! The problem is that Nory’s father happens to be the headmaster of an elite magical boarding school and they do not accept students who are not “normal.” Because of this, Nory gets sent to live with her aunt and enrolls in a program for kids with “upside down magic.”
Now that I have read and/or listened to most of these books, I have come to realize that there are a number of really important messages that weave their way through every book in the series. Two of my favorites are embracing differences in yourself and others and that it takes a village. Wow. Those are really amazing concepts to instill in kids without bashing them over the head with it. I especially like how they deal with the pressure that Nory gets from her father.
So far, each book focuses on a different kid and how their magic impacts their life, with Nory getting attention in every title. In addition to feeling a bit out of place and celebrating your differences, the three authors try to look at the other issues the class (and kids this age) might be facing.
- The students are often bullied for being different, but the point is also made that bullying can be done both intentionally and unintentionally.
- Stepping out of your comfort zone and into new situations can be scary, but it can also be totally worth it.
- Friendship, and how we treat our friends, is a common theme. You are not always going to agree with your friends and sometimes you are not always treated the way you should be, and vice versa.
- Overcoming obstacles is a way of life for these kids. Sometimes obstacles make it hard to keep up with everyone else, but sometimes being differently-abled can work to your advantage because there are things that you are capable of doing that no one else can.
The quality of books for early middle grade readers these days is phenomenal and this series is one of the reasons why. The characters are just silly enough to keep you from even realizing there is something deeper going on. Nory continues to change into all sort of different animals and the pictures you can create in your head are priceless. Who wouldn’t be shocked by a blue-bird/elephant? The 6th book is coming out in September and I know this will be one of my purchases when our book fair comes around!
So far, each book focuses on a different kid and how their magic impacts their life, with Nory getting attention in every title. In addition to feeling a bit out of place and celebrating your differences, the three authors try to look at the other issues the class (and kids this age) might be facing.
The books appeal to readers who enjoy stories about magic and adventure, as well as those who may identify with feeling different or misunderstood. The series has been well-received by both critics and readers, and it has gained a large fan base since its release. In addition to the books, the Upside Down Magic series has been adapted into a successful television movie for the Disney Channel, further expanding its popularity and reach. Overall, the Upside Down Magic book series offers young readers an entertaining and relatable story of friendship and self-discovery, while promoting acceptance and celebrating individuality..
Reviews for "Examining the Rise in Popularity of the Upside Down Magic Book Series"
1. John - 1 star
I couldn't stand the Upside Down Magic book series. The storyline was so convoluted and confusing, it was hard to keep track of what was happening. The characters were also poorly developed and lacked depth. I couldn't connect with any of them, which made it difficult to care about their struggles and triumphs. Overall, I found the series to be a major disappointment.
2. Emily - 2 stars
I was really excited to start reading the Upside Down Magic book series, but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The writing style was very juvenile and the dialogue felt forced. The humor was also quite cheesy and didn't appeal to my taste. Additionally, I felt like the magical elements were poorly explained and didn't make sense within the context of the story. Overall, I was left feeling underwhelmed and wouldn't recommend this series to others.
3. Sarah - 2 stars
I had high hopes for the Upside Down Magic book series, but it didn't live up to my expectations. The plot was predictable and lacked originality. I felt like I had read similar stories before, and there was nothing unique or captivating about this series. The pacing was also quite slow, making it difficult to stay engaged. I was hoping for an exciting and magical adventure, but instead, I found myself bored and uninterested.