Harry Potter Series
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's
Stone
(Book 1) by J.K. Rowling
Illustrator: Mary GrandPré
Genre: Novel/Science Fiction
Format: Hardcover
Age Range: 9 to 12 years
ISBN: 590353403
Pages: 309
Pub. Date: August 1998
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Harry has lived with his mean Aunt and Uncle for eleven years. A wonderful adventure unfolds when Harry discovers he has special powers.
It's a great lesson for children.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of
Secrets
(Book 2) by J.K. Rowling
Illustrator: Mary GrandPré
Genre: Novel/Science Fiction
Format: Hardcover
Age Range: 9 to 13 years
ISBN: 439064864
Pages: 341
Pub. Date: June 1, 1999
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione are back in the second installment of the Harry Potter series. An excellent sophomore effort and as good as the Sorcerer's Stone. Rowling uses her vivid writing to illustrate characters as though you were attending classes at Hogwarts. Once you begin reading, you cannot put the book down. The Garamond Type adds a medieval effect.
The Chamber of Secrets is a great read-aloud for the classroom, or at home.
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
(Book 4) by J.K. Rowling
Illustrator: Mary GrandPré
Genre: Novel/Fantasy
Format: Hardcover
Age Range: 9 to 12 years
ISBN: 0439139597
Pages: 734
Pub. Date: July 2000
Publisher: Scholastic, Inc.
Harry, Ron and Hermione return for their fourth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. This is the darkest of the novels so far. Be forewarned that the Goblet of Fire may be scary for some nine and ten-year-olds. The vocabulary is closer to Fifth and Sixth grade level than the first three novels. An average reader should encounter little difficulty deciphering the meanings of the words.
Quidditch fans will enjoy the World Cup. Unfortunately, a major character meets their demise in the book. As usual, You-Know-Who is present in some form.
Harry Potter and the Order of the
Phoenix (Book 5) by J.K. Rowling
Illustrator: Mary GrandPre
Genre: Novel
Format: Hardcover
Age Range: 9 to 12 years
ISBN: 043935806X
Pages: 870
Pub. Date: June 2003
Publisher: Scholastic, Inc.
The fifth year of Hogwarts begins, naturally, on Privet Drive among the Muggles. Harry becomes a further developed character. He is forced to defend his cousin Dudley, and finds himself before the Ministry of Magic. The events surrounding the Tri-Wizard Tournament, of the previous school year also brings up questions regarding Harry's truthfulness. We also meet the latest Defense of the Dark Arts professor.
Rowling has created another exceptional novel that keeps readers engrossed in Harry's adventures. Colorful writing immerses you in a magical world that is difficult to leave. Several new, and interesting, characters step into Harry, Ron, and Hermione's lives. "Order of the Phoenix" follows in the path of "Goblet of Fire" with dark subject matter that younger Potter fans may find scary.
