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Upside-Down Magic
(Upside-Down Magic #1)
by
From New York Times bestselling authors Sarah Mlynowski, Lauren Myracle, and Emily Jenkins comes the hilarious and heartfelt story of a group of magical misfits.
Nory Horace is nine years old. She's resourceful, she's brave, she likes peanut butter cookies. Also, she's able to transform into many different animals. Unfortunately, Nory's shape-shifting talent is a bit wonky ...more
Nory Horace is nine years old. She's resourceful, she's brave, she likes peanut butter cookies. Also, she's able to transform into many different animals. Unfortunately, Nory's shape-shifting talent is a bit wonky ...more
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Hardcover, 196 pages
Published
September 29th 2015
by Scholastic Inc.
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Angela Dong
Bax´s dad is an upside down fuzzy. His magic is making animals sad and not feel like moving.
Community Reviews
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Start your review of Upside-Down Magic (Upside-Down Magic, #1)

Nory Horace is nine years old and she is prepping for a Big Test so that she can start fifth grade at Sage Academy in the coming fall. She has magic, she can turn herself into lots of different animals but her magic is wonky and Sage academy doesn't admit kids with wonky magic. She is nervous and it doesn't help that her father is the headmaster at the academy. She loses control of her magic and starts to turn into different animals at random in her test and as a result fails.
Nory has an older ...more
Nory has an older ...more

Nory is ten and desperately wants to pass the Big Test to gain entry to the elite Sage Academy where her father, Dr Horace, is the principal. Her brother, Hawthorn, who is sixteen and a Flare, and her sister, Dalia, who is thirteen and a Fuzzy, both attend Sage. The problem is that Nory’s magic goes wonky. When she tries to turn into a cute black kitten she does, sort of. Except her kitten becomes a bitten; half kitten, half beaver, and the beaver part of her wants nothing more than to chew wood
...more

***This review has also been posted on The Social Potato
Upside Down Magic is a very special book. I went into it expecting to like it but I ended up loving it. It’s a cute little children’s book but at the same time it is so much more than that.
I would like to start off by saying that I absolutely LOVE that this book is so diverse! There are so many people of color in this book and seeing that made me happy!
But also there was magic in this book so obviously it was going to be great. There was a ...more
Upside Down Magic is a very special book. I went into it expecting to like it but I ended up loving it. It’s a cute little children’s book but at the same time it is so much more than that.
I would like to start off by saying that I absolutely LOVE that this book is so diverse! There are so many people of color in this book and seeing that made me happy!
But also there was magic in this book so obviously it was going to be great. There was a ...more

As someone who has worked in special education and with children of multiple ethnicities, I immediately read deeper into Upside-Down Magic than most people. Sarah Mlynowski, Lauren Myracle and Emily Jenkins are mad brilliant. They took a girl’s worries about being different and forced her to accept them instead of following the typical narrative of self-discovery and being mainstreamed and everyone liking her, they were much more realistic with how they handled the politics of education and the
...more

Nory has serious magic troubles. While other kids her age can turn into kittens, beavers, skunks, or elephants, Nory can never hold one animal at a time. Instead, she always ends up becoming a "bitten" (beaver + kitten) or "skunkephant" (skunk + elephant) or some other unlikely combination. Her uncontrollable skills land her in a special class filled with other kids who have "wonky" magic of their own -- exactly what she doesn't need if she ever wants to be accepted as normal. But it turns out t
...more

Nory doesn't fit into the straight world of one of 5 distinct types of magic. It's a stupidly straight-laced world & her father figure has a stick up his bum second to none. There is one way to do everything & anything outside of the norm is awful. Of course, Nory wants to fit in, especially to please her father.
Luckily, she winds up getting in with some decent people & finding out that it's OK to be different. That's the entire theme of the book - lots of diversity throughout & it's OK to be u ...more
Luckily, she winds up getting in with some decent people & finding out that it's OK to be different. That's the entire theme of the book - lots of diversity throughout & it's OK to be u ...more

Oct 20, 2018
Stormy Summer
added it
Warriors Rp!!!!
Leader:
Deputy :
Warriors:
Queens:
Kits:
Medcat: OPEN
Apprentices: open
Elders:
Riverclan ~
Leader:
Deputy: OPEN
Warriors~
Queens:
Open
Kits:
Medcat:
Apprentices:
Elders:
Open
ShadowclAn~
Leader: OPEN
Deputy:
Warriors ~
Queens:
Kits:
Medcat ~
Apprentices:
Open
Elders:
Windclan~
Leader: open
Deputy: open
Warriors:
Darkeningdawn(me)
Open
Queens:
Kits:
None
Medcat:
Apprentices:
Solticepaw(Queen Selchannary)
Elders:
Open
Leader:
Deputy :
Warriors:
Queens:
Kits:
Medcat: OPEN
Apprentices: open
Elders:
Riverclan ~
Leader:
Deputy: OPEN
Warriors~
Queens:
Open
Kits:
Medcat:
Apprentices:
Elders:
Open
ShadowclAn~
Leader: OPEN
Deputy:
Warriors ~
Queens:
Kits:
Medcat ~
Apprentices:
Open
Elders:
Windclan~
Leader: open
Deputy: open
Warriors:
Darkeningdawn(me)
Open
Queens:
Kits:
None
Medcat:
Apprentices:
Solticepaw(Queen Selchannary)
Elders:
Open

This was such an adorable book that deals with issues of fitting in. I'm so glad that I took the opportunity to actually listen to it on audiobook. It's great for kids who are having problems fitting in or so desperately want to fit in with everyone else around them. The main character was adorable and it was great to see how much she learned about herself towards the end of the book. I think this is a great series for children who are interested in magic or prefer books that take place at magic
...more

Nov 11, 2015
The Library Lady
rated it
it was ok
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
childrens-fiction
Three authors may be too many. This is incredibly predictable and extremely didactic, right down to the carefully selected ethnic blend of the classmates. Adequate but no more.

4.9 Stars | Magical
Woo-hoo! I loved this book! There's a reason I'm following Mlynowski-she's a wonder! Sarah Mlynowski-click here to view her profile!
When Nory is not accepted into her father's school, she becomes extremely depressed until she gets better than that! She realizes that just because she isn't accepted into a really good school, maybe that's because her powers are too good!
**Make sure to like this review, and of course, follow or friend me if you haven't yet.**
**My blog link is w ...more
Woo-hoo! I loved this book! There's a reason I'm following Mlynowski-she's a wonder! Sarah Mlynowski-click here to view her profile!
When Nory is not accepted into her father's school, she becomes extremely depressed until she gets better than that! She realizes that just because she isn't accepted into a really good school, maybe that's because her powers are too good!
**Make sure to like this review, and of course, follow or friend me if you haven't yet.**
**My blog link is w ...more

E ARC from Edelweiss Above the Treeline
Nory's father is the principal of Sage Academy, the premier school for magic that her brother and sister attend. When Nory auditions for a spot, her "wonky" magic leads to her cute black kitten turning into something that the admission board does not appreciate. She gets sent to live with her Aunt Margo, and attends the local school, but in the Upside-Down Magic unit with other children whose magic doesn't work quite right. She makes friends with Elliot, wh ...more
Nory's father is the principal of Sage Academy, the premier school for magic that her brother and sister attend. When Nory auditions for a spot, her "wonky" magic leads to her cute black kitten turning into something that the admission board does not appreciate. She gets sent to live with her Aunt Margo, and attends the local school, but in the Upside-Down Magic unit with other children whose magic doesn't work quite right. She makes friends with Elliot, wh ...more

Sitting in the pediatrician’s office, waiting for my kid to have his physical, there was a commercial for a new Disney TV movie about kids with crazy magic called Upside-Down Magic. It looked absolutely adorable. However, I don’t have cable. Since everything seems to have started as a book these days, I decided to check if there was one. I’m glad I did. I’m no stranger to YA, but I never really read MG. I’m happy I made the exception. This was a delightful read and something I think is very impo
...more

This has been on my audiobook radar for a while. I was intrigued by the cover and then the story stole my heart.
Little Nori has upside down magic. Which means her magic is different to the norm.
This book shows how it’s okay and even amazing to be different. There is nothing to be ashamed about, and it’s not bad at all. Different people show us new ways to do things and to make changes in the world.
This is a lovely series for young children to learn tolerance. I will definitely be reading it to ...more
Little Nori has upside down magic. Which means her magic is different to the norm.
This book shows how it’s okay and even amazing to be different. There is nothing to be ashamed about, and it’s not bad at all. Different people show us new ways to do things and to make changes in the world.
This is a lovely series for young children to learn tolerance. I will definitely be reading it to ...more

In my eyes, Sarah Mlynowski can do no wrong. We have another winner with Upside-Down Magic! If you enjoyed her Magic in Manhattan series then you will love this one as well. I can see me reading this book with my daughter when she's old enough to see if she will also enjoy the Magic in Manhattan series, as well as Harry Potter.
LOVED IT LOVED IT LOVED IT! I can't wait for the second book to come out! ...more
LOVED IT LOVED IT LOVED IT! I can't wait for the second book to come out! ...more

Super didactic but cute for the 7-8 year old crowd.

I went into this without any particular expectations, and afterwards, I'm glad to say this was such a pleasant suprise. I was having a bit of a hard time with reading lately, and this book really managed to cheer me up and make me excited about reading again.
We follow nine year old Nory Horace who, after being turned down by one of the most prestigious magic schools, run by her own father, enrolls in special class for kids who have difficulty controlling their magic, called Upside-Down Magic. At ...more
We follow nine year old Nory Horace who, after being turned down by one of the most prestigious magic schools, run by her own father, enrolls in special class for kids who have difficulty controlling their magic, called Upside-Down Magic. At ...more

(c/p from my review on TheStoryGraph) A cute, fun story that is very fun for the age group. It's not anything overly special but it's not bad either. It's just a fun story about a girl who can't stop turning into strange animals. I like the humor, I like the story, I like the world building such as it is for such a short book. Overall I just really enjoyed the playfulness.
...more

*My 11 year old daughter, Eleanor (El) wrote this review. I'll intersperse my thoughts throughout using an asterisk.*
I recommended Upside Down Magic to Dad a few years ago, and he's finally listened to it on Hoopla. He listened to it because he couldn't find the one he was looking for. *Night, by Elie Wiesel* I said, half joking, that I would recommend the book I was listening to, but I thought he'd think it was too girly. *The Mother Daughter Book Club* He looked it up and was going to listen t ...more
I recommended Upside Down Magic to Dad a few years ago, and he's finally listened to it on Hoopla. He listened to it because he couldn't find the one he was looking for. *Night, by Elie Wiesel* I said, half joking, that I would recommend the book I was listening to, but I thought he'd think it was too girly. *The Mother Daughter Book Club* He looked it up and was going to listen t ...more

This book is just really cute. The writing style is just really fun and it really does capture all the frustrations that come along with being somehow different. At the same time this book is incredibly diverse. The main character is biracial, the side characters are also of a wide variety of racial backgrounds, and there is also a side character who wears a hearing-aid. The story was really fun and I do kind of wish I could've given it to a younger me to read. I'm definitely going to keep going
...more

Summer reading program with my daughter. We both loved it - a great message of inclusion, diversity and understanding of strengths. It's a fun one to read out loud together.
...more

Ok Kit, you were right. This is delightful! It may seem like it's a fluffy chapter book and it is, but it's so stuffed with charm and deep thoughts and humor that I'm not even mad. I had a blast reading this little guy, and I would read more. Original and happy and has room for lernin'. Yay!
...more

Apr 27, 2020
Jude (NovelReader13)
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
fantasy,
middle-grade
What a beautiful, fun and really profound story about friendship and learning to embrace what makes you different instead of trying to fit in! I listened to the audiobook for this and the narrator did a fantastic job as well. 4.5🌟

A cute juvenile novel my 9 year old niece told me was the BEST.
There are five types of magic and strict rules on how to follow them. Nory can’t her her magic to work right, she would start as a kitten and the grow dragon wings. Or turn into an elephant-skunk combo. She fails the entrance to her dads magic school, and goes to live with her aunt and attend school for kids with wonky magic.
It’s got a lot of lessons on acceptance without being preachy and having a good sense of humor. It’s a good ...more
There are five types of magic and strict rules on how to follow them. Nory can’t her her magic to work right, she would start as a kitten and the grow dragon wings. Or turn into an elephant-skunk combo. She fails the entrance to her dads magic school, and goes to live with her aunt and attend school for kids with wonky magic.
It’s got a lot of lessons on acceptance without being preachy and having a good sense of humor. It’s a good ...more

Upside Down Magic by Sarah Mlynowski, Lauren Myracle and Emily Jenkins is one of the best book I have ever read. In this amazing world, there are five different types of magic: Flares, Flickers, Flyers, Fuzzies and Fluxers. Flares use fire magic, Flickers make themselves and other things invisible, Flyers ( you guessed it ) fly, while Fuzzies do animal magic and Fluxers turn into animals.
In this book, Nory is turned down from Sage Academy and joins the Upside Down Magic ( UDM ) class in Dunwiddl ...more
In this book, Nory is turned down from Sage Academy and joins the Upside Down Magic ( UDM ) class in Dunwiddl ...more

One of my 9 yr old's recent favorites. This started as a read-aloud but she was so engaged that she took the book and finished it on her own (this never happens). I read it a few days later. It is a cute story and a fairly easy middle grades read. Nory lives in a world where magic exists and kids get their powers just before middle school. Some kids have magic that is "wonky" (doesn't work the way that is expected) and end up in a special class. As you can imagine there is a lot of humor involve
...more

Nory has wonky magic despite her best efforts to control it. Can she be like her brother, sister and father whose magic fits into society's norms?
This fantastic chapter book has a diverse cast of characters and speaks to the bullying and prejudice that children with disabilities--learning or otherwise--face on a daily basis. This topic is not heavy-handed, but obvious, and is dealt with sensitivity and aplomb. This is truly a series I confidently recommend for its excellent writing as well as i ...more
This fantastic chapter book has a diverse cast of characters and speaks to the bullying and prejudice that children with disabilities--learning or otherwise--face on a daily basis. This topic is not heavy-handed, but obvious, and is dealt with sensitivity and aplomb. This is truly a series I confidently recommend for its excellent writing as well as i ...more

This is such an awesome book. It's about magic or more more about Nory whose magic is "wonky". Everyone has a power that fits into one of 5 different categories, only Nory's doesn't and her father, a widower, who is also the dean of the prestigious Sage Academy does not approve of her. He sends her to live with her Aunt Margo, she can attend a different school there that has a special class for "wonky magic users" called Upside-down Magic class. This is an adorable story that shows kids it's not
...more
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Sarah was born in Montreal, Canada. After graduating with an honors degree in English literature from McGill University, she moved to Toronto to work for Harlequin Enterprises. While she never met Fabio, she used her romance publishing experiences to fuel her first novel Milkrun.
Since then, Sarah has written four additional novels for adults: Fishbowl, As Seen on TV, Monkey Business, and Me vs. ...more
Since then, Sarah has written four additional novels for adults: Fishbowl, As Seen on TV, Monkey Business, and Me vs. ...more
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