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.