imaclogger23's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jenmccredy's review against another edition
3.0
I think it was a good book it had a lot of detail and excitement but I did not really agree with the characters. Book 1 of my goal. -Lily M
allreads's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
yapha's review against another edition
4.0
A good introduction to using non-violent protest hidden inside a fun story about magic school. Recommended for grades 2 & up.
jbrooxd's review against another edition
4.0
I somehow missed this book in my reading. I enjoyed Marigold's story. It was great to see the development of her magic. She also finds her voice in this book, which I loved. Big mistakes are made, but big growth, too. It's interesting that the series seems to focus on Nory, but each of the other kids also get to be featured in a book. I tend to enjoy the other kids more than Nory's stories. They are still good, but I *like* the other kids more.
emilykm's review against another edition
5.0
I don't know who's more excited to read each new book in this series, me or my kids (1st and 3rd grade). What a fabulous middle grade series! In this universe, everyone has a magical power that falls into one of five categories--Fuzzies can communicate with animals, Flares can make light and fire, Flyers can fly, Fluxers can turn into animals and Flickers can turn invisible. However, for the kids in the Upside Down Magic classroom at Dunwiddle Magic School, things aren't quite that cut and dried. These kids' magic functions a bit differently. Our main protagonist, Nory, is a fluxer, but she changes into mixtures of animals instead of just one. The Big Shrink focuses on Upside Down Magic student Marigold Ramos. Marigold shrinks objects and people but then cannot return them to regular size. In this installment, Marigold learns how to harness her power with the help of her new tutor, Layla. Soon, Marigold is putting her new skills to use to contribute to a student led protest at school, but not without learning some life lessons along the way! Like the other books, this series encourages young readers to accept and celebrate differences. Not only does it feature kids with "upside down magic," many characters are minority or mixed race, or who defy typical gender roles (the school nurse, for example, is a man). What a fun way to teach these values! I can't wait to read the next installment with my kids.
orchardoriole's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
engelkat's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
eatreadgamerepeat's review against another edition
5.0
This book is just so cute and fun - I probably just like this series more and more every book.