5 stars
Another fantastic story in the Upside-Down Magic series. Wonderful themes and messages around inclusion and acceptance of the ways people are different from one another.
This one deals with a lot of heavy topics including bullying, divorce, depression, and stress. Such topics are handled well, allowing the characters to understand and learn from these struggles, which also extends to the reader.
There are still many fun and entertaining antics as well as some mysteries to figure out as strange things begin to happen around Dunwiddle Magic School. This book specifically focuses on Nory and Bax learning more about their magic, how to control it, and just what they are capable of.
Really enjoyed the emphasis on recognizing that people are different and that not being a bad thing. The character’s differences lead to complications at times but are also used in creative ways to deal with problems and have fun.
A fantastic read that celebrates differences while also recognizing that such differences can be hard to embrace in a world that says everyone should be the same. Well done. Looking forward to reading the third book to learn more about the characters and how they use their unique magic.