To
Nell, Jessica, and David, who make my world magical.
THERE IS A DOOR
at the end
of silent corridor. And it's haunting Harry
Potter's dreams.
Why else would he be Waking in the middle of the night, screaming in
terror?
Here
are just a few things on Harry's mind:
*
A Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher with a personality like poisoned
honey
*A
venomous, disgruntled house-elf
*Ron
as keeper of the Gryffindor Quiddich team
*The
looming terror of the end-of-the-term Ordinary
Wizarding Level
exams
...
and of course, the growing threat of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.
In the richest installment yet of J. K. Rowling's seven part story, Harry
Potter is faced with the unreliability of the very government of the
magical world and the importance of the authorities at Hogwarts.
Despite
this (or perhaps because of it), he finds depth and strength in his
friends, beyond what even he knew; boundless loyalty; and unbearable
sacrifice.
Though
thick runs the plot (as well as the spine), readers will race through
these pages and leave Hogwarts, like Harry, wishing only for the next
train back.
About
As
his fifth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry approaches,
15-year-old Harry Potter is in full-blown adolescence, complete with
regular outbursts of rage, a nearly debilitating crush, and the blooming
of a powerful sense of rebellion.
It's been yet another infuriating and boring summer with the despicable
Dursleys, this time with minimal contact from our hero's non-Muggle
friends from school. Harry is feeling especially edgy at the lack of news
from the magic world, wondering when the freshly revived evil Lord
Voldemort will strike. Returning to Hogwarts will be a relief... or will
it?
The fifth book in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series follows the darkest
year yet for our young wizard, who finds himself knocked down a peg or
three after the events of last year. Somehow, over the summer, gossip
(usually traced back to the magic world's newspaper, the Daily Prophet)
has turned Harry's tragic and heroic encounter with Voldemort at the
Triwizard Tournament into an excuse to ridicule and discount the teen.
Even Professor Dumbledore, headmaster of the school, has come under
scrutiny by the Ministry of Magic, which refuses to officially acknowledge
the terrifying truth that Voldemort is back. Enter a particularly
loathsome new character: the toadlike and simpering ("hem, hem")
Dolores Umbridge, senior undersecretary to the Minister of Magic, who
takes over the vacant position of Defense Against Dark Arts teacher - and
in no time manages to become the High Inquisitor of Hogwarts, as well.
Life isn't getting any easier for Harry Potter. With an overwhelming
course load as the fifth years prepare for their Ordinary Wizarding Levels
examinations (O.W.Ls), devastating changes in the Gryffindor Quidditch
team lineup, vivid dreams about long hallways and closed doors, and
increasing pain in his lightning-shaped scar, Harry's resilience is sorely
tested.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, more than any of the four
previous novels in the series, is a coming-of-age story. Harry faces the
thorny transition into adulthood, when adult heroes are revealed to be
fallible, and matters that seemed black-and-white suddenly come out in
shades of gray. Gone is the wide-eyed innocent, the whiz kid of Sorcerer's
Stone. Here we have an adolescent who's sometimes sullen, often confused
(especially about girls), and always self-questioning. Confronting death
again, as well as a startling prophecy, Harry ends his year at Hogwarts
exhausted and pensive. Readers, on the other hand, will be energized as
they enter yet again the long waiting period for the next title in the
marvelous, magical series. (Ages 9 and older)
Then
you should have died! Died rather than betray your friends, as we would have
done for you!
Sirius
Black Prisoner
of Azkaban, Chapter 19, Page 375
On
what makesbooks
so special... The
power of the printed word unites the author's and the reader's
imaginations to create a unique vision. Entire worlds can be carried
around inside these small, cheap, paper objects that don't need plugs,
modems or speakers. Books have survived for centuries; cinema is an
upstart by comparison!
Harry Potter was not,
is not, and never will be our creation.
Harry Potter and all related topics are the property of of Warner Bros.
& J.K.
Rowling; and are under
copyright law.
If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please let us know by
clicking here.
