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.

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.