Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J. K. Rowling
First Printing by Bloomsbury in 2003
Cover Art and Illustrations by Mary Grandpré
My copy was printed in 2004 by Scholastic. I recieved it as a Christmas present along with the first four books in the series as a boxed set.

Spoiler Alert: Do not read this if you haven't read past Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire!

After witnessing Voldemort murder Cedric Diggory and his subsequent return to power, Harry spirals into depression. His summer with the Dursley's leaves him isolated from all of his friends, and when he finally reunites with them everyone is reluctant to give him any details on Voldemort's movements. Worse still, Professor Dumbledore, the man he trusts the most, seems unwilling to see or even speak to Harry at all. Harry longs for the comforts of Hogwarts, but when he returns he finds the school a very different place. Hogwarts has welcomed a new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher yet again. This time, the post is taken by Professor Dolores Umbridge. Professor Umbridge is undersecretary for the Minister of Magic, and it becomes clear that the education of students is only a fraction of her interest in Hogwarts. She is a plant from the Ministry, ready to implement government control in the way Hogwarts teaches its students. Soon enough, the students are no longer allowed to use magic and teachers are being fired left and right. Harry's mood blackens as his home is changed, and anxiety churns in him as Umbridge attempts to find the whereabouts of his godfather- Sirius Black. But is his mood purely a product of his surroundings, or is something more sinister at play?

Final Rating: 5 out of 5
This will always be my favorite book out of the series. Harry's internal conflicts are heartbreaking to witness, and for the first time he lashes out on those around him to deal with is pain. His actions are realistic, making him more of a whole person and less of the unwavering hero. And Professor Umbridge is the perfect villian. I think most Harry Potter fans can say that they hate her more than they hate Voldemort. The whole book is a success, both advancing the plot and diving deeper into the world of wizardry. It was a pleasure revisiting this book, and I can't wait to come back to it again.

Favorite Quote:
"'You do care,' said Dumbledore. He had not flinched or made a single move to stop Harry from demolishing his office. His expression was calm, almost detached. 'You care so much you feel as though you will bleed to death with the pain of it.'- Page 824.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is available in both physical and digital copies from all major booksellers, including Barnes and Noble and Amazon.

I See by My Outfit by Peter S. Beagle

I See By My Outfit by Peter S. Beagle
First Printing: 1965 by Viking
Cover Art by Sal Barracca
Illustrations by Nicholas Krenitsky
My copy was printed in 1971 by Ballantine Books, and I got it from the "Free to Good Home" box at my local library.

First of all, I apologize for my small hiatus from writing. Life got crazy- let's move on!

Peter S. Beagle wrote one of my favorite books of all time: The Last Unicorn. I watched the movie religiously as a kid.

Okay, maybe I still watch it with questionable regularity.

I may or may not have it on in the background while I write this.

To put it simply, I am a super-fan of The Last Unicorn.

Somehow, the glow of my Unicorn obsession blinded me from the fact that Peter S. Beagle has written more than one book. Therefore, I cannot exaggerate my surprise at the familiar name shining up at me from the bottom of a box marked "Free".

I See By My Outfit was published in 1965, three years before The Last Unicorn. This book is a true story, looking back on the journey of Peter and his best friend, Phil Sigunick. Peter was living in New York, while his love, Enid, was living in California. He decided that it was time to relocate, and Phil wanted to join him. A cross-country move is difficult under normal circumstances, but the two friends really upped the ante. They made the move traveling on their beloved motor scooters, Jenny and Couchette. With as much supplies and food that the scooters could hold, they set out in the cold April of 1963.

Final Rating: 5 out of 5
The number one thing to take away from this book is that it is a really bad idea to go on a journey with no money and no plan on a temperamental motor scooter.

Okay, maybe that's more of a number-two thing.

Peter and Phil waltz into many people's lives in this book, and I think they took away more than they could have imagined. They play on antique guitars with the guys at Harry's Loan Office in Kansas City. They discuss agate stones and the illusion of time with the Beckmans. They try to help a prostitue named Jilly sell a fur coat. They may have had to sleep in a cruddy tent with nothing to eat but spaghetti and mayonnaise, but in return they got these rich experiences with these amazing people. This book brings to life the importance of getting out there and seeing the world and the people in it. That spirit still stays with me, as I'm sure it does with Peter and Phil, long after the joshua trees danced and the scooters rolled up Enid's driveway.

Favorite Quote:
"I say 'Listen to me Rabbi, listen. I'm an older man than you are, I want to tell you something. You always find what you look for, always. You want to see, I don't know, bad people, bad women, thieves, drinking, murder, filthy, you would see all of that you want. It is in your head what you want to see, bad women, gambling, you took it to Paris with you. But for me, if I would go to Paris, you know what I would see?'... 'I would see books and great paintings, I would go to museums, I would go somewhere I could hear great music. That is what I would do in Paris, that is what I would see, because that is what I want to see. The other things, the bad women, you could see them if you want to, but myself, I don't want to see them, so for me they are not there. I don't see them. You take it all with you, what you want to see. I would see good people, great paintings.'"- Mr. Abel from Harry's Loan Office, page 55

I See By My Outfit is currently out of print. It must be purchased through a used bookseller.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J. K. Rowling
First Printing: Bloomsbury in 2000
Cover Art and Illustrations by Mary GrandPrè
My copy was printed in 2002 by Scholastic.

Of all the Harry Potter books, this is the one I most vividly remember reading in childhood. I can still see myself spinning in my dad's office chair, the book open on my lap and a chocolate pudding cup in hand. A mouthful of pudding fell off my spoon and splattered all over my book. That is when I learned one of the most important lessons in life: take caution when eating and reading!

Harry is halfway through his magical education. This year, the students of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry are in for a surprise. Hogwarts has been chosen to host the Tri-Wizard Tournament. Three schools will choose a champion to compete for the chance at winning the Tri-Wizard Cup- and a thousand Galleons! Hogwarts, Durmstrang, and Beauxbatons students (the latter two being schools from abroad) must put their names into the legendary Goblet of Fire; and the chosen ones will participate in a series of tasks that test their magical skills.

 At the Halloween feast, Harry and his best friends Ron and Hermione are excitedely discussing the prospective champions with their fellow Gryffindors. Happy to be out of the spotlight for once, Harry is looking forward to watching the festivities with his friends. When the feast concludes, the Goblet erupts in fire, and three pieces of paper flutter down. The three champions; Cedric Diggory, Viktor Krum, and Fleur Delacour make their bows and exit The Great Hall to receive their instructions. But then the Goblet is engulfed in flame once more, and a ragged bit of parchment flutters out. It bears one name: "Harry Potter".
Cries of cheating rise up from Durmstrang and Beauxbatons, and Harry's best friend Ron falls prey to jealousy of his famous friend. Harry knows he didn't put his name in the Goblet, but who did? And Why?

With few allies left, Harry will confront his most dangerous challenges yet in the three tasks of the Tri-Wizard tournament.


Final Rating: 5 out of 5
Harry's fame has been a nuisance to him ever since the beginning of the series, but it's The Goblet of Fire that brings out the worst of what fame can give him. He has to face that even though his fame came at the loss of his parents, people still envy him. When the newspaper gets wind of him being entered into the tournament, they spread the rumor that he entered because of a desperate desire for attention. Of course, nothing could be less true of Harry, but even his best friend falls pray to the media's portrayal. This book could not have been better at portraying bias and injustice in the press in a way that kids can understand. No one likes having rumors spread about them, and seeing Harry go through it on such a grand scale is a great way to get kids to question what the read and hear. Once again, J. K. Rowling manages to push the limits in teaching kids the meaning of justice.

Favorite Quote:
"Percy wouldn't recognize a joke if it danced naked in front of him wearing Dobby's tea cozy."- Ron Weasley, page 384

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is available in physical and digital copies from all major booksellers, including Barnes and Noble and Amazon.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
First Printing by Bloomsbury in 1999
Cover Art and Interior Illustrations by Mary GrandPré
My copy was printed in 2001 by Scholastic.

Padfoot.

Spoiler Alert: Do not read if you have not read past Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets!

 I've had this post nearly completed for about a week now, but I had to put things on hold with my crazy work schedule and catching the flu. So without further delay, let's continue on with the Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban!

Harry's third year at Hogwarts is proving to be just as wild as the last. Convicted killer Sirius Black has broken out of the wizard prison of Azkaban. This is the first breakout in history, and the magical community is thrown into an uproar. If that wasn't bad enough, it seems that Black has escaped to kill Harry! With everyone worried for his safety, Harry is rarely let out of his teacher's sight. But despite their supervision, it appears that someone has been letting Black into the castle. Could it be Professor Snape, the teacher that hates Harry the most? Or Professor Lupin, the mysterious new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher? Harry is about to find out that people aren't always what they seem to be.

Final Rating: 5 out of 5
As a kid, I remember this one being my least favorite in the series. I'm not entirely sure why I felt that way, but I think it has to do with this being the book where things start to take a really dark turn. And by dark I don't just mean dark magic, I mean the darkness in human nature. (Spoiler Alert) Disney and Nickelodeon hadn't yet prepared me to find out that sometimes, the villain wins the fight and the good guy gets the blame. Now that I've grown up, I love this book all the more for approaching good and evil in a realistic way. J. K. Rowling does not sugar coat anything, and I think more children's writers should take the same approach.

Favorite Quote:
"You think the dead we loved ever truly leave us? You think that we don't recall them more clearly than ever in times of great trouble? Your father is alive in you, Harry, and he shows himself most plainly when you have need of him. How else could you produce that particular Patronus? Prongs rode again last night."- Albus Dumbledore, page 428

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is available through all booksellers, including Barnes and Noble and Amazon, in both physical and digital copies.

The Widow of the South

The Widow of the South by Robert Hicks
First Printing: 2005 by Warner Books
Book Design by L&G McRee, Frontispiece map by Leo McRee

Fun Fact: This book smells like cat pee.
Another Fun Fact: I do not have a cat.

The only good thing about a sick day is getting to read with no interruptions. For my day home with a stomach bug, The Widow of the South by Robert Hicks was my constant companion.

 It's 1894, and Carrie McGavock is patrolling her graveyard. Thirty years previous, after the bloody Battle of Franklin, many soldiers were left to rot in the fields. When the neighbors wanted to plow over the bodies, she had them brought to her own plantation and erected a private cemetery on her property. On one of her daily strolls between the headstones, a man appears out of the mist. She recognizes him at once with his shambling gate and piercing green eyes. This is Zachariah Cashwell,  a man she helped nurse back to health- a man she had fallen in love with.

When The Battle of Franklin was fought in 1864, The McGavock's Carnton plantation was turned into a hospital for the wounded Confederate soldiers. At the time, Carrie was suffering from a deep depression after the loss of three of her young children. No one, not even her husband could coax her out of her despair. But when the war spilled into her home, she was forced to rise from her rocking chair to tend the wounded. That was when she met Zachariah, the man who was so ready to accept his imminent death. She makes the choice to save him whether he likes it or not, a choice that will bind them together forever.

Carrie McGavock and her husband John.

Final Rating: 4 out of 5
This book gave such a vivid telling of Carrie McGavock and Carnton plantation, it has me wanting to take a trip to Tennessee to visit the place in person. The book gave me the desire to learn more about this battle and the people involved, and you know I love a book that makes me want to learn more! Unfortunately, Robert Hicks did have to tweak some of the facts for this book, but it was for the sake of accommodating the fictional character of Zachariah into the lives of very real people. Other than that, I have no complaints with this book. Robert Hicks succeeded in bringing a relatively small part of the Civil War to the forefront, and he gave these people who are long gone a voice to tell their story.

Favorite Quote: "We were a new country, that was certainly true. A new country of old men and angry, stubborn men. There were moments when I could look out from our carriage and think that there wasn't anything this country couldn't become, which was not at all a comforting thought."- Carrie McGavock, page 302

The Widow of the South is available in both physical and digital copies from all major booksellers, including  Barnes and Noble and Amazon.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J. K. Rowling
First Printing: 1998 by Bloomsbury
Cover and Interior Art by Mary Grandprè

Spoiler Alert: Do not read if you have not read this review if you haven't read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone!

The last few weeks have been a little rough for me. I won't go into details, but I've been the kind of stressed out that makes me want to lay around in pajamas all day and eat nothing but heaping spoonfuls of nutella.

Some of my fictional friends are having a rough time of it too. Let's start with Mr. Harry Potter.

In my last post I reviewed Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Today we move onto the second installment, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

After a grueling summer with the Dursleys, Harry is dying to go back to Hogwarts. But a few weeks before he is to return, an unexpected guest appears in his bedroom. Dobby the house elf, a small creature with bulbous eyes and bat-like ears, has come to give Harry a warning:

"Harry Potter must stay where he is safe. He is too great, too good, to lose. If Harry Potter goes back to Hogwarts, he will be in mortal danger." (page 16)

But Harry cannot bear the thought of staying with the Dursleys any longer, so he dismisses Dobby's warning. After being at school for only a few short weeks, things take a dark turn at Hogwarts. A bloody message in an empty corridor warns that The Chamber of Secrets has been opened. The Chamber of Secrets is rumored to be a remnant of one of the school founders, Salazar Slytherin.  Soon after, students begin turning to stone, and suspicion spreads throughout the school. Harry is not immune to the gossip among the students, and soon people are accusing him of being Slytherin's heir. Harry must find out who opened the chamber and released the monster within before Hogwarts is closed forever.

Final Rating: 5 out of 5
I think it's pretty clear that I'm in love with this series. I think these books are solid proof that you can miss places you've never been to and people you've never met. It's from this book on that Harry starts to realize that his defeat of the dark wizard Voldemort has made people suspect some sleeping darkness within himself. He begins to doubt everything he is, and those emotions are so true and so human that you can't help but feel his pain along with him. I think that is why these books are so important to me. Regardless of  the magic, these people feel so real and their struggles are relatable. I think there is no better way to conclude this than to wrap up with my favorite quote:

"It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities." -Professor Dumbledore, page 332

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is available in both physical and digital copies from all major booksellers, including Barnes and Noble and Amazon.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J. K. Rowling
First Printing: 1996 by Bloomsbury (UK)
Cover and Interior Art by Mary Grandpré

I've had the kind of weekend that I wish could last just a little while longer. Our city is shut down from the record-breaking winter weather. While the snow can be a nuisance, it has been nice to be home. I've had my first proper snow day in a long time- throwing snowballs for the dog and eating all kinds of junk food in front of the fire. And of course, I've been reading.

The world of Harry Potter is proof that you can miss a place without ever having been there. I get homesick for these books. These stories are so detailed that I'm still discovering new things each time I read them. I dive back into them every year, and I always enjoy the trip.

Harry Potter is an orphan living with his Aunt and Uncle. Since being left on their doorstep when he was a baby, Petunia and Vernon Dursley have mistreated Harry. He is made to sleep in the cupboard under the stairs and is only given the most basic of things to live off of. His cousin, Dudley, beats him up and humiliates him constantly. Harry grows used to their ill treatment of him, but he wonders why they hate him so much. Even more peculiar than their hate for him is their refusal to answer questions about his deceased parents. One morning as the family is sitting down to breakfast, a letter arrives addressed to Harry. As soon as Harry tries to open the thick parchment envelope, Uncle Vernon snatches it from him and throws him from the room. Who could be writing to him? He has no friends, no remaining family. Letters continue to arrive, and when they go unanswered a messenger is sent in person. When Harry finally tears open his letter, he finds this:

"Dear Mr. Potter,
   We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. Term begins on September 1. We await your owl by no later than July 31.

Yours Sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress

Harry Potter is far more special than he ever dreamed he could be. But even in the wizarding world, something extraordinary will set him apart.

Final Rating: 5 out of 5
Did you expect anything less? But honestly, this is not so much a review but to pay homage to the books that bring us home. I will always remember the time I first read this book. I sneaked it in small doses as my parents thought I was too young for it. It gave me a thrill to read that battered library book by flashlight at night, and that spirit of pushing the limits of what I will read has been with me ever since. I hope these books have instilled that same spirit in many children, and I salute J. K. Rowling for conjuring it up in me.

Favorite Quote:

 "But from that moment on, Hermione Granger became their friend. There are some things you can't share without ending up liking each other, and knocking out a twelve-foot mountain troll is one of them." ( page 179)

All children, regardless of your age, enjoy the weather!

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is available in both digital and physical copies from all booksellers, including Barnes and Noble and Amazon.