In the second book of the Upside Down Magic series, Stick and Stones, Nory and her friends from the Upside Down Magic class are back again to prove they aren’t “wonky”, just different. When it comes to magic, theirs is just different, but not everyone can understand that. Lacey, the school bully, is out to prove that the UDM class is not only wonky, but dangerous. When things start mysteriously turning to stone around the school, will Lacey finally have what she needs to back up her claim? Nory and her friends are out to prove her wrong and show they are an asset to the school.

The amazing thing about Sticks and Stones as well as the Upside Down Magic series (there is a third in the works) is the way the serious issue of feeling different, or especially being different compared to what everyone else considers the “norm” is addressed. Nory and her friends aren’t the same because of their magic and this makes the serious issues feel a little lighter. The books really are perfect for someone experiencing that or for someone that needs a lesson on showing empathy to someone experiencing it. On one of the final pages of Sticks and Stones is a quote that sums up the lessons taught in this book perfectly, “My point is that the Upside Down Magic program encourages all of us to embrace and understand differences.”

As stated, Sticks and Stones is the second book in the series and reading the first book would be very helpful. Find the review for Upside Down Magic #1 here.

This book was sent to Compass Book Ratings for review by Scholastic

Content Analysis:

Profanity/Language:  None

Violence/Gore:  One person pushes another down; character uses magic to throw flaming tennis balls at a group of people.

Sex/Nudity:  Girl and boy hug (2 times).

Mature Subject Matter:

Death of parents; divorce.

Alcohol / Drug Use:

None