Upside Down Magic by Lauren Myracle is a captivating and whimsical children's book that explores the magical mishaps and adventures of a group of misfit students. The story follows Nory and her friends as they navigate their way through the Upside Down Magic class at the magical Sage Academy. The main idea of the book is the concept of "Upside Down Magic." In this world, magic is categorized into different "Flares" or types, such as Flicker Flames or Flare-Ups. However, Nory and her friends possess a different kind of magic that is seen as flawed and unpredictable. Their magic is known as "Upside Down Magic," as it does not conform to the traditional flares and often causes unexpected results.
When it comes to my own preference, I like my audiobooks dark, spooky, snarky, and full of drama. But I’m not the only person in this house! In fact, I share it with (among several other mammals) a pair of elementary school aged girls for whom I am the staff. I mean mom. They’re five and eight, and some of my favorite books aren’t appropriate to play when they’re around. (I’m fairly progressive but I’m not ready to explain what exactly they’re doing on the movie set in Jim Butcher’s Blood Rites, for example.)
The authors avoid this through a sense of humor that is self-aware without being arch, a keen awareness of the very real difficulties involved for both the kids and their caregivers, and the sensitivity to plot things in a way that doesn t magically ha ha make those difficulties disappear. The challenges of their magical difficulties, like the challenge of possessing a brain or body that works differently than others , are more than enough to provide plot tension.
Their magic is known as "Upside Down Magic," as it does not conform to the traditional flares and often causes unexpected results. Throughout the book, Nory and her friends face many challenges and obstacles due to their unconventional magic. They are often misunderstood and criticized by their classmates and teachers.
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!
Despite this, Nory and her friends form a strong bond and learn to embrace their unique abilities. The book explores themes of acceptance, friendship, and self-discovery. Nory and her friends learn that being different is not a weakness, but rather a strength. As they navigate their way through the Upside Down Magic class, they discover the true potential of their magic and how it can be used to help others. Upside Down Magic is a delightful and heartwarming tale that teaches young readers important lessons about embracing their individuality and celebrating their differences. It encourages children to have confidence in themselves and their abilities, while also promoting the values of empathy and acceptance. Overall, Upside Down Magic by Lauren Myracle is an enchanting and magical book that will captivate young readers with its whimsical story and relatable characters. It is a story that emphasizes the importance of embracing one's unique qualities and celebrates the power of friendship and self-discovery..
Reviews for "The Importance of Empathy in 'Upside Down Magic' by Lauren Myracle"
1. John - 1 star
I was really disappointed in "Upside Down Magic" by Lauren Myracle. The concept of a magical school for kids with unconventional powers sounded intriguing, but unfortunately, the execution fell flat for me. The characters were underdeveloped and lacked depth, making it hard to connect or care about their struggles. The plot also felt disjointed and rushed, with too many subplots that never seemed to come together cohesively. Overall, this book had potential, but it failed to deliver an engaging and well-executed story.
2. Sarah - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "Upside Down Magic," but it failed to live up to my expectations. The writing style felt juvenile and lacked sophistication, making it difficult for me to fully immerse myself in the story. The magical elements were interesting, but they were overshadowed by shallow character development and predictable plot twists. Additionally, the dialogue felt forced and unrealistic, which further detracted from the overall reading experience. While this book might appeal to younger readers, I found it lacking in depth and complexity.
3. Emily - 2 stars
"Upside Down Magic" by Lauren Myracle left much to be desired. The premise of a school for kids with unique magical abilities was intriguing, but the execution fell short. The pacing was uneven, with moments of excitement followed by long stretches of dullness. The characters lacked depth and felt like caricatures rather than fully realized individuals. The friendship dynamic between the main characters felt forced and lacked authenticity. Overall, this book had potential, but it failed to capture my interest or leave a lasting impression.