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Upside-Down Magic #2
Sticks & Stones (Upside-Down Magic #2)
The Upside-Down Magic kids are back in another topsy-turvy adventure in the next installment of this New York Times bestselling series, now a Disney Channel Original Movie! The kids in Upside-Down Magic know their magic is a little out of control. But that doesn't make them weird -- it only makes them human.Strange things are happening at Dunwiddle Magic School and the Upside-Down Magic class is getting blamed! Yes, Marigold did shrink Lacey Clench to the size of a gerbil. But that was an accident. And, yes, most people weren't prepared for Nory to transform into a squippy (that's half squid, half puppy)-but it's not like Nory meant to mix up paws and tentacles. And while Bax does have the unfortunate magical condition of turning into a stone, he swears he has nothing to do with the rocky magic that's been happening in Dunwiddle's halls. When things get messy, it's easy to point your finger at the kids with the messiest magic. But the Upside-Down Magic students aren't going to let themselves get in trouble. Instead, they're going to find out what's really going on-and get their school back on track before something really wacky happens.
208 pages, Paperback
First published April 26, 2016
432 people are currently reading
1318 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Mlynowski
160 books3,353 followersSarah 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. 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).
Sarah is also a co-founder of OMG BookFest, a celebration of books aimed at the early to middle grade reader (ages 7-12) that brings together commercial and award-winning authors with underserved local communities for an exciting experience of books, games and activities.
Sarah's books have been translated into twenty-nine languages and optioned to Hollywood. She now lives in New York City with her husband and two daughters.
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).
Sarah is also a co-founder of OMG BookFest, a celebration of books aimed at the early to middle grade reader (ages 7-12) that brings together commercial and award-winning authors with underserved local communities for an exciting experience of books, games and activities.
Sarah's books have been translated into twenty-nine languages and optioned to Hollywood. She now lives in New York City with her husband and two daughters.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 273 reviews
January 8, 2021
Nory has upside-down magic and she has been attending a special class at Dunwiddle school for upside-down magic with seven other kids. Normally there are five categories of magic talents - Flares have fire talents. Fuzzies have animal talents. Flickers have power to be invisible or make things invisible. Flyers can fly. Fluxers can turn into animals. But there are people whose magic doesn't fit into these categories and they are known as wonky or different or people with upside-down magic.
Nory is an upside-down fluxer. Nory's classmate, Bax is also an upside-down fluxer but he can only flux into a rock and he cannot turn himself back to his human form. It is done using a special potion. One day, they find that pennies collected for charity have turned into rocks and everyone blames kids from UDM class but they all swear that it wasn't them. But Lacey decided to start a petition and remove the special UDM class from the school after she was shrunk by Marigold accidently. The whole UDM class has become good friends with each other and they heard Lacey say that she is out to get them.
Bax's parents got divorced just before he was about to get his magic and since then he only turns into a rock and cannot keep his human mind active whilst he's rock. Bax and Nory get a special coach assigned to them to help with their fluxing. At first, the coach only pays attention to Nory and Bax feels left out but then the coach genuinely starts helping Bax and Bax starts doing better. Nory also signs up to be in the kittenball game as the coach thinks that Nory could do great. Lacey is still out to get them and at a kittenball game, she ends up annoying the UDM kids and the arena starts to turn to stone. It turns out that Bax was doing it all along but he didn't realize it. His parents divorce took a toll on him and his emotions are messing with his magic.
This book was mainly focused on UDM kids being friends and how it is affecting Bax's magic and how he is getting better. There were couple other revelations but other than that not much happened but still I found it to be an improvement on the first book. I was hoping for more world building but that also didn't happen. I want to know if everyone in the world gets some kind of magic talent or is it some specific people and how does the magic work, why it works the way it works and how is the magic used in the daily lives. Yes, kids are studying magic at school but what will it be used for. None of these questions were even acknowledged. I will read the next just to find some answers.
2.75-3 stars
Nory is an upside-down fluxer. Nory's classmate, Bax is also an upside-down fluxer but he can only flux into a rock and he cannot turn himself back to his human form. It is done using a special potion. One day, they find that pennies collected for charity have turned into rocks and everyone blames kids from UDM class but they all swear that it wasn't them. But Lacey decided to start a petition and remove the special UDM class from the school after she was shrunk by Marigold accidently. The whole UDM class has become good friends with each other and they heard Lacey say that she is out to get them.
Bax's parents got divorced just before he was about to get his magic and since then he only turns into a rock and cannot keep his human mind active whilst he's rock. Bax and Nory get a special coach assigned to them to help with their fluxing. At first, the coach only pays attention to Nory and Bax feels left out but then the coach genuinely starts helping Bax and Bax starts doing better. Nory also signs up to be in the kittenball game as the coach thinks that Nory could do great. Lacey is still out to get them and at a kittenball game, she ends up annoying the UDM kids and the arena starts to turn to stone. It turns out that Bax was doing it all along but he didn't realize it. His parents divorce took a toll on him and his emotions are messing with his magic.
This book was mainly focused on UDM kids being friends and how it is affecting Bax's magic and how he is getting better. There were couple other revelations but other than that not much happened but still I found it to be an improvement on the first book. I was hoping for more world building but that also didn't happen. I want to know if everyone in the world gets some kind of magic talent or is it some specific people and how does the magic work, why it works the way it works and how is the magic used in the daily lives. Yes, kids are studying magic at school but what will it be used for. None of these questions were even acknowledged. I will read the next just to find some answers.
2.75-3 stars
March 10, 2019
Nory has now been living with her Aunt Margo and attending Dunwiddle Magic School for a month. She’s one of eight students in the Upside-Down Magic class, a class for kids whose magic is unusual.
When the pennies the school was collecting for charity turn into rocks and Marigold accidentally shrinks Lacey, one of the bully Sparkies, the Upside-Down Magic class are in the spotlight. It’s easy for the other kids to place blame on the kids who are different and pretty soon Lacey has started a petition to remove the Upside-Down Magic class and its members from Dunwiddle Magic School.
While the rumour mill is working overtime at Dunwiddle Nory is hoping to join the school’s beginner kittenball club, Elliott is keeping a secret from Nory and Bax is trying to learn how to keep his human mind when he turns into a rock.
I liked that this book alternated between Nory and Bax’s perspectives, and enjoyed learning about Bax’s family, including his father who is an .
I definitely want to see more of Squippy-Nory, when she fluxes into a puppy with tentacles. This was a reread for me but I haven’t read any more of the series so I’m looking forward to seeing what Ms. Starr’s class gets up to next.
When the pennies the school was collecting for charity turn into rocks and Marigold accidentally shrinks Lacey, one of the bully Sparkies, the Upside-Down Magic class are in the spotlight. It’s easy for the other kids to place blame on the kids who are different and pretty soon Lacey has started a petition to remove the Upside-Down Magic class and its members from Dunwiddle Magic School.
While the rumour mill is working overtime at Dunwiddle Nory is hoping to join the school’s beginner kittenball club, Elliott is keeping a secret from Nory and Bax is trying to learn how to keep his human mind when he turns into a rock.
I liked that this book alternated between Nory and Bax’s perspectives, and enjoyed learning about Bax’s family, including his father who is an .
I definitely want to see more of Squippy-Nory, when she fluxes into a puppy with tentacles. This was a reread for me but I haven’t read any more of the series so I’m looking forward to seeing what Ms. Starr’s class gets up to next.
October 29, 2018
***Rated by my daughter***
November 22, 2021
This series is seriously cute and the audio is even cuter, am really glad that each book is about one student and their problems and insecurities about their upside magic.
Can’t wait to read more about the rest of the UDM class
Can’t wait to read more about the rest of the UDM class
June 25, 2016
In this adorable sequel, Nory and Bax are continuing to deal with their upside down magic, this time facing a petition to get rid of the UDM program after some mysterious things start happening at school. Can the UDM students prove it wasn’t them, or will they be banished for being too dangerous?
Readers of Upside Down Magic will love the second book in this series. Our favorite characters return, and as we get to know them better they become even more lovable. With great lessons of empathy and teamwork, and an exciting plot, young readers are sure to love this series.
Highly recommend for grades 3-5.
Readers of Upside Down Magic will love the second book in this series. Our favorite characters return, and as we get to know them better they become even more lovable. With great lessons of empathy and teamwork, and an exciting plot, young readers are sure to love this series.
Highly recommend for grades 3-5.
April 18, 2020
Everyone is gifted with some sort of magic ability. There are the Fluxers (shape-shifters), Flares (make fire), Flyers (can fly), Flickers (invisibility powers), and Fuzzies (communicate with animals). And then are those whose magic is not quite, well, normal. Their magic is called Upside-Down Magic (UDM). Flares with the ability to freeze things or make it rain. A Fuzzy who repeals animals or a Flyer who cannot seem to stay on the ground on his own. And a Flicker who sees sound waves. Then there are Fluxers like Nory and Bax--Bax can only flux into a rock. Nory's fluxes seem to be inconsistent--she often changes into two creatures at once. The UDM students are in a class, separate from their classmates who have "normal" magic abilities. They are often the butt of jokes and looked down on by their peers for being different.
Mouse and I broke the cardinal rule of not starting with the first book in the series, and so Sticks & Stones was our introduction to the wonderful UDM kids. Mouse and I enjoyed reading this book together. There were quite a few laugh out loud moments as well as more serious moments, taking on difficult issues school-aged children often face. Like dealing with divorce and a parent's job loss, bullying, overcoming obstacles, self-doubt, learning that it is okay to make mistakes (and that everyone makes them), and how to embrace our differences. The three authors handled each of these subjects with sensitivity and in a knowledgeable way, capturing the feelings of the characters and making them even more relatable. My 9-year-old was struck by how these great kids were treated so poorly by their peers. "They are normal, Mom. They are unique and may have different talents, but they are just like everyone else." She is unable to pick a favorite character among the UDM students, but she did say that her favorite part was when Marigold accidentally shrunk Lacey Clench, the school bully ringleader.
Both Mouse and I would like to go back and read the first book in the series and continue on with it after. We love the cast characters. I have not told Mouse yet there is a Disney television series coming out this summer based on the books. She is going to be over the moon when she hears that bit of news.
Review originally published on Musings of a Bookish Kitty: https://www.literaryfeline.com/2020/0...
Mouse and I broke the cardinal rule of not starting with the first book in the series, and so Sticks & Stones was our introduction to the wonderful UDM kids. Mouse and I enjoyed reading this book together. There were quite a few laugh out loud moments as well as more serious moments, taking on difficult issues school-aged children often face. Like dealing with divorce and a parent's job loss, bullying, overcoming obstacles, self-doubt, learning that it is okay to make mistakes (and that everyone makes them), and how to embrace our differences. The three authors handled each of these subjects with sensitivity and in a knowledgeable way, capturing the feelings of the characters and making them even more relatable. My 9-year-old was struck by how these great kids were treated so poorly by their peers. "They are normal, Mom. They are unique and may have different talents, but they are just like everyone else." She is unable to pick a favorite character among the UDM students, but she did say that her favorite part was when Marigold accidentally shrunk Lacey Clench, the school bully ringleader.
Both Mouse and I would like to go back and read the first book in the series and continue on with it after. We love the cast characters. I have not told Mouse yet there is a Disney television series coming out this summer based on the books. She is going to be over the moon when she hears that bit of news.
Review originally published on Musings of a Bookish Kitty: https://www.literaryfeline.com/2020/0...
August 4, 2018
More summer reading with the kid. I love the inclusive message and particularly the depression metaphor in this book. My daughter loves the series and gets really upset whenever the bullies are scheming.
September 2, 2018
I've been reading this series with my 7-year-old son. He loves the story, and I love the positive messages hidden in it. There is so much in here that he can relate to, and it's helped me initiate so many important discussions!
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December 6, 2018This girl named Nory, she has the weirdest/ coolest magic ever. Even though she's a fluxer, she has really cool magic. She ends up turning to Dritten Nory, (Dragon Kitten) She has a friend named Bax, He has weird magic. He's a fluxer but he turns to a rock or leash. They have a tutor for their magic and their learning to keep their magic from showing too much. Bax learns to hear and keep his human mind when he fluxed into a rock. At the end the sparkies were chasing after them but they stayed safe somehow.
August 1, 2020
This book was just as wonderful, fun and heartfelt as the first one. I'm really loving this series so far!
July 24, 2022
My 10yo daughter and I loved this book. We laughed out loud several times.
March 13, 2018
Zamboozle!!!! What a fun sequel and great addition to the Upside Down Magic series. My seven year old and I really loved reading the first book together and jumped right into this one. We enjoyed catching up with our favorite characters and meeting a few new ones.
In this story, the UDM students are still enjoying lessons with Ms. Starr and they’ve starting receiving special tutoring in hopes that it will help them have less uncontrollable moments. Nory and Bax get paired together with the very health conscious Coach. Bax and his ability to flux into a rock has entertained us from the very beginning. We liked getting to know him better and we loved learning about Kittenball. We also enjoyed the gentle mystery of figuring out who was responsible for all of the rocks appearing randomly around campus.
Another entertaining read and wonderful introduction into the fantasy genre. The cast and their mishaps definitely provide plenty of laugh out loud moments. However, there are lots of great lessons about feeling like an outcast, not being too quick to point the blame at someone and sticking up for your friends no matter how different they may seem to others. It also touches on bullying and depression. We had a blast discussing this one and definitely look forward to continuing with book three, Showing Off.
In this story, the UDM students are still enjoying lessons with Ms. Starr and they’ve starting receiving special tutoring in hopes that it will help them have less uncontrollable moments. Nory and Bax get paired together with the very health conscious Coach. Bax and his ability to flux into a rock has entertained us from the very beginning. We liked getting to know him better and we loved learning about Kittenball. We also enjoyed the gentle mystery of figuring out who was responsible for all of the rocks appearing randomly around campus.
Another entertaining read and wonderful introduction into the fantasy genre. The cast and their mishaps definitely provide plenty of laugh out loud moments. However, there are lots of great lessons about feeling like an outcast, not being too quick to point the blame at someone and sticking up for your friends no matter how different they may seem to others. It also touches on bullying and depression. We had a blast discussing this one and definitely look forward to continuing with book three, Showing Off.
August 18, 2020
Another one I listened to with my daughter, which I think is what made me love it so much. Not only seeing how she enjoyed it, but the messages of inclusion and accepting yourself and others despite differences or “wonky” things, felt stronger because I was thinking of it through her experiences and the good, loyal friends she has. My favorite parts were every scene with Coach Vitamin; I didn’t like him at first and thought he was silly, but then he really came through and proved what a stellar guy and mentor he was. Some of the things he said to Bax and Nori got me legitimately teary eyed. He said he was on their side and that they were a team, and then he proved it again and again, telling them he was proud of them, helping them think outside the box insofar as controlling their magic, and celebrating their accomplishments. It was really heart-warming and so nice that the kids have so many good adult role models, which isn’t often the case in MG/YA fiction. I loved the concept of being a team and supporting each other, both the kids among themselves as well as with the kids and adults working together. Lots of warm fuzzies, hopefulness, love, and acceptance. Great book. I’m glad my daughter found this series.
February 27, 2019
As sweet and as kind as book 1: Upside-Down Magic.
While reading this, I just kept thinking about how important this book is for children with learning disabilities.
Being differently abled (especially in a dangerous magical school!) can be just as tough for a non-magical real kid in a real school... & I love seeing these kids being different in some way they had no control over (born different) represented in this series.
Also, I like Nory, but I loved Bax! I liked his chapters and thought his story rocked!
Looking forward to reading more of Upside-Down Magic!
While reading this, I just kept thinking about how important this book is for children with learning disabilities.
Being differently abled (especially in a dangerous magical school!) can be just as tough for a non-magical real kid in a real school... & I love seeing these kids being different in some way they had no control over (born different) represented in this series.
Also, I like Nory, but I loved Bax! I liked his chapters and thought his story rocked!
Looking forward to reading more of Upside-Down Magic!
October 19, 2025
We really enjoyed this book! We listened to the audiobook in the car on our way to a camping trip, and it made the drive go by quickly. The story about a group of kids whose magical powers don’t work quite like their peers’ was fun, creative, and full of heart.
As we listened, I found it opened up a great opportunity to talk with my son about how feeling “different” can sometimes be challenging, but it’s also what makes each person special. The themes reminded me of some of his own experiences with ADHD, and it helped us connect those ideas in a positive, encouraging way.
It’s a wonderful story for families to enjoy together—especially for kids who might sometimes feel like they don’t fit the mold.
As we listened, I found it opened up a great opportunity to talk with my son about how feeling “different” can sometimes be challenging, but it’s also what makes each person special. The themes reminded me of some of his own experiences with ADHD, and it helped us connect those ideas in a positive, encouraging way.
It’s a wonderful story for families to enjoy together—especially for kids who might sometimes feel like they don’t fit the mold.
January 30, 2023
Loved this one. This is the 2nd book from this series that my daughter brought home from her school library for us to read together. Though we haven’t read them in order, we have still enjoyed the books. This one in particular focused on themes of the importance of inclusion and how our differences are what bond us. Love the messages these books send about special needs under the guise of magic, and really, maybe it’s not a guise at all. ;)
September 30, 2020
One of my favorite series of children’s books. So many great messages for teaching how to treat others that may be different that us and teaching how to look at our struggles/challenges in a new light. Highly recommend for everyone to read!
May 16, 2021
Best one yet (I’m binging the series). This one is about the UDM kids getting bullied because of being different; it will resonate with exceptional education students or people who don’t feel accepted because of being differently abled.
Rooting for Bax’s dad and the teacher to start dating.
Rooting for Bax’s dad and the teacher to start dating.
December 5, 2021
Hoopla audio with Ryan. Fun! We loved it!
February 28, 2022
Cute continuation of this middle grade series.
November 3, 2025
Brinley - “5 stars. Loved it”
July 3, 2022
Ahhh! Lacey wants no more upside down magic! Will the class be saved?👩🏾🦱🧒🏻
It’s down to Nory and Elliott.
It’s down to Nory and Elliott.
October 3, 2022
Very good book. It was really interesting to read after book 1. It was nice that Bax's point of view was shown too. And the new game of kittenball really made it fun to read about.
October 14, 2017
This book kept me on the edge of my seat.
March 13, 2017
Sticks and Stones is a sweet story about a group of students who need help with their magic. So they attend this special school in order to learn how to handle their magic. I love how this story mirrors special education students and how everyone can learn!
June 3, 2016
Nory has trouble controlling her magic. She can transform into a kitten, but she can’t hold the shape, so she ends up with the head of a goat, which makes her a koat. What she has is called upside down magic, and along with a few other kids who are struggling to control their own powers, she’s in a special class at Dunwiddle Magic School. But when strange things start happening in the halls, the other kids want to blame the students in her class and get them kicked out of the school forever. If Nory could find out what’s really causing the strange occurrences, she might find a way to help her group fit in.
Upside Down Magic: Sticks & Stones is the second in the series by Sarah Mlynowski, Lauren Myracle, and Emily Jenkins. The action is fun and funny, but it also addresses some serious issues that can help young readers get insight into what it’s like to be different from your peers. With the advice of her teacher/tutor, Nory signs up for a sport. And even though she’s not great at it, she meets other kids outside of class. They all benefit when they get to know each other and can see each other as people instead of stereotypes.
Anyone who has ever felt the awkwardness of being different (pretty much anyone at one time or another) is sure to enjoy Upside Down Magic. I recommend it for readers aged 9 to 12 (and their moms).
The publisher provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Upside Down Magic: Sticks & Stones is the second in the series by Sarah Mlynowski, Lauren Myracle, and Emily Jenkins. The action is fun and funny, but it also addresses some serious issues that can help young readers get insight into what it’s like to be different from your peers. With the advice of her teacher/tutor, Nory signs up for a sport. And even though she’s not great at it, she meets other kids outside of class. They all benefit when they get to know each other and can see each other as people instead of stereotypes.
Anyone who has ever felt the awkwardness of being different (pretty much anyone at one time or another) is sure to enjoy Upside Down Magic. I recommend it for readers aged 9 to 12 (and their moms).
The publisher provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
April 15, 2024
Three months later and we're bingeing the series once again because kiddo loves it so. He specifically asked to finish the last chapter of this one and jump into the first chapter of the next before bed tonight. He enjoyed it just as much as the first time - or possibly more, with the knowledge of what happens in the later ones. Truly an excellent early-middle-grade series.
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Kiddo (8) enjoyed this just as much as the first. He LOVES these books - especially Nory and her mixed-up animals, and especially her dritten form. He really really does not like Lacey Clench (she is quite a bully / nemesis) and is forever thinking of ways to get rid of her.
I really enjoyed reading this as well, though I felt the ending was a little abrupt. Kiddo and husband don't agree though, so that could just be me.
I really like the positive messages in these books, and the way the kids grow and learn to be themselves and own their own power, weird though it may be.
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kiddo (nearly 10) loved this just as much this time around. This series really is magical for kiddos who aren't usually into fiction.
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Kiddo (8) enjoyed this just as much as the first. He LOVES these books - especially Nory and her mixed-up animals, and especially her dritten form. He really really does not like Lacey Clench (she is quite a bully / nemesis) and is forever thinking of ways to get rid of her.
I really enjoyed reading this as well, though I felt the ending was a little abrupt. Kiddo and husband don't agree though, so that could just be me.
I really like the positive messages in these books, and the way the kids grow and learn to be themselves and own their own power, weird though it may be.
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kiddo (nearly 10) loved this just as much this time around. This series really is magical for kiddos who aren't usually into fiction.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 273 reviews