Series: Harry Potter #2
Published by Scholastic on January 1st 1970
Genres: Action & Adventure, Children's Books, Fantasy & Magic, Fiction, Young Adult
Pages: 341
The Dursleys were so mean and hideous that summer that all Harry Potter wanted was to get back to the Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. But just as he's packing his bags, Harry receives a warning from a strange, impish creature named Dobby who says that if Harry Potter returns to Hogwarts, disaster will strike.
And strike it does. For in Harry's second year at Hogwarts, fresh torments and horrors arise, including an outrageously stuck-up new professor, Gilderoy Lockheart, a spirit named Moaning Myrtle who haunts the girls' bathroom, and the unwanted attentions of Ron Weasley's younger sister, Ginny.
But each of these seem minor annoyances when the real trouble begins, and someone—or something—starts turning Hogwarts students to stone. Could it be Draco Malfoy, a more poisonous rival than ever? Could it possibly be Hagrid, whose mysterious past is finally told? Or could it be the one everyone at Hogwarts most suspects…Harry Potter himself.
Yes, I’m really just discovering this series–as an adult and years after the release. I’m really surprised how much I have enjoyed the books so far. In fact, I felt in a way that I had hit a bit of a reading slump. I felt like I’d gotten to a point where I was just all read out and as I picked these books it just reignited the magic of reading.
Another thing? I’m intrigued by J.K. Rowling’s ability to grow her characters with each book. It’s interesting to see the slow maturing and progression that the characters and how the book gets a little more dark because her characters are a year older. When these books came out, it not only gave her characters time to age but also her readers and it’s fascinating to me that a person has this ability in storytelling.
I know I’m late to this series and I have seen the movies so I do know who ends with whom and yet, I’ve still found myself already shipping the characters I feel should be together. I can pretend not to know how this all turns out. The books really that much fun!
I am totally loving Ginny. Yes, she’s a little love struck but she’s just too adorably cute. She is definitely my choice for Harry and I’m not saying that because I let the movies influence me—I really think she’s adorable.
My daughter is in complete disagreement on this matter. She really wanted Harry and Hermione together and I just can’t get with the idea. Hermione is just such a bossy know-it-all at times! I mean, don’t get me wrong, I appreciate her character. I just can’t bring myself to ship her and Harry because I feel she can be a little overbearing. My daughter says I dislike her because I’m a bit like Hermione. I gave her a death glare and told her I had no idea what she meant before sticking my nose back into my book.
Overall I really enjoyed the character development that has taken place so far. From Dobby’s misguided desire to help Harry to Gilderoy’s boasting and bragging—every single character in this story had an element of humanity in them. I’m just stunned that somehow this little nugget of pure delight eluded me for so long.
This series so far is just a lot of fun and I really look forward to seeing how things play out. Would I recommend this to other adults? Absolutely. If you’re anything like me, you’ll be whisked away into a delightful little world in which you’ll feel the wonder of childhood again. If this is not your experience—well, I guess you’re just a muggle and wouldn’t understand. *grins*
About J.K. Rowling
Joanne Rowling was born in July 1965 at Yate General Hospital in England and grew up in Chepstow, Gwent where she went to Wyedean Comprehensive.
Jo left Chepstow for Exeter University, where she earned a French and Classics degree, her course including one year in Paris. As a postgraduate she moved to London and worked as a researcher at Amnesty International among other jobs. She started writing the Harry Potter series during a delayed Manchester to London King’s Cross train journey, and during the next five years, outlined the plots for each book and began writing the first novel.
Jo then moved to northern Portugal, where she taught English as a foreign language. She married in October 1992 and gave birth to a daughter in 1993. When the marriage ended, she and Jessica returned to the UK to live in Edinburgh, where Harry Potter & the Sorcerer’s Stone was eventually completed. The book was first published by Bloomsbury Children’s Books in June 1997, under the name J.K. Rowling. The “K”, for Kathleen, her paternal grandmother’s name was added at her publisher’s request who thought that a woman’s name would not appeal to the target audience of young boys.
J.K. Rowling is currently writing the screen play, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, an original story set in the wizarding world, some of which will be familiar to Harry Potter fans. It marks her screenwriting debut and the start of a new film series with Warner Bros.
J.K. Rowling lives in Edinburgh with her husband and three children.
I love the graphics you made!!
I’ve I my seem some of the movies…I always thought Hermione and the red haired boy looked good as a couple
ty! My daughter despises Ron LOL. That’s why she doesn’t want Ron and Hermione together!
I couldn’t for the life of me remember his name lol
I’m going to have to rewatch after I finish the series to see if I feel annoyed with him lol
Lol
You’re not the only one who has waited forever to read these books ! I have just finished the 6th book haha. I do wish I had started them sooner, I didn’t know that I was missing out so much.
~Aby
a-blog-for-thoughts.blogspot.com.mt
:) I”m getting ready to start Book #4! I can’t wait.