ISBN: 043935806X.
This is the fifth book in the Harry Potter series. The series is about Harry, a boy wizard, and his life at Hogwarts, a wizarding school, as well as his life back home with his cruel aunt, uncle and cousin. The fifth book is about the return of the evil Lord Voldemort and the torment Harry endures when his classmates don�t believe that Voldemort has returned. The book is full of evil characters as well as Harry�s true friends who once again, stick by his side until the end.
The plot is believable and internally consistent. The rules and laws of magic don�t vary. Spells do the same thing each time they are cast. The plot is certainly original and creative. The idea around the entire series is original by itself, but this particular book is also original, which is sometimes hard to do with books in a series. The reader learns a lot more about Harry and the curse that was meant to kill him, as well as about Harry�s parents. The book tells a great story and anyone who lives on this planet knows that children love this book. There are lots of action scenes and more than one climax. Some of the key scenes include Professor Umbridge finally getting what she deserves in the forest, Dumbledore�s escape from Hogwarts and battling the Death Eaters in the Department of Mysteries.
The reader can easily visualize the setting. Grimmauld Place in particular is described in great detail. The descriptions of the screaming paintings and the dusty old rooms filled with strange creatures are very vivid. The time is indicated by the weather, holidays and exams. Anyone who is familiar with the Harry Potter series knows that each book covers one year. The setting is important because of the use of magic and its role in the book. For instance, underage wizards can only use magic on Hogwarts grounds. This plays a key part in the story and the plot would be entirely different if much of the story didn�t take place at Hogwarts.
The characters are believable and readers can identify with Harry, Ron and Hermione. It�s even easy to identify with the lesser characters, such as Neville, Fred and George. Neville feels like an outcast who can�t do anything right, but then finds his talent at the Dark Arts. Fred and George are the class clowns who just want to be done with school. All readers can identify with these feelings. Both strengths and weaknesses of the characters are shown. Harry goes out of his way to help others, but sometimes lets his emotions keep him from acting and thinking rationally and this puts himself and his friends in danger.
The theme of this book as well as the entire Harry Potter series is one of good triumphing over evil and the power of friendship. These are themes that are worth imparting to children. Both these themes emerge naturally as we see Umbridge defeated, the Death Eater�s imprisoned and Harry�s friends refusing to let him go to the Department of Mysteries without them. These are universal themes that are applicable in any time or place.
It is easy to suspend belief while reading this story. The made up words are self explanatory and add to the make believe world. For instance, the words �muggle� and �mudblood� emphasize how the wizarding world is very different from the regular world. The style is straightforward and the dialogue is suited to the characters. Harry, for instance, has quite a few emotional outbursts in this book that are extremely well suited to him because of all that he has had to endure in the previous years. While the overall mood is mysterious, there are also moments of great humor, such as Fred and George�s magical swamp in the hallway.
This book will not disappoint any Harry Potter fan. It has action, some romance, humor and shows the value of friendships. Both children and adults will enjoy reading the latest in the Harry Potter series and will most likely be eagerly anticipating the sixth book.
