Series: Book 5 in the Harry Potter series
Rating: ****
Tags: Magic, Juvenile Fiction, Fantasy & Magic, Fiction, Wizards, Schools, Lang:en
Summary
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
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 __. 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)
--Emilie Coulter
Grade 4 Up-Harry has just returned to Hogwarts after a
lonely summer. Dumbledore is uncommunicative and most of the
students seem to think Harry is either conceited or crazy for
insisting that Voldemort is back and as evil as ever. Angry,
scared, and unable to confide in his godfather, Sirius, the
teen wizard lashes out at his friends and enemies alike. The
head of the Ministry of Magic is determined to discredit
Dumbledore and undermine his leadership of Hogwarts, and he
appoints nasty, pink-cardigan-clad Professor Umbridge as the
new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher and High Inquisitor
of the school, bringing misery upon staff and students alike.
This bureaucratic nightmare, added to Harry's certain
knowledge that Voldemort is becoming more powerful, creates a
desperate, Kafkaesque feeling during Harry's fifth year at
Hogwarts. The adults all seem evil, misguided, or simply
powerless, so the students must take matters into their own
hands. Harry's confusion about his godfather and father, and
his apparent rejection by Dumbledore make him question his
own motives and the condition of his soul. Also, Harry is now
15, and the hormones are beginning to kick in. There are a
lot of secret doings, a little romance, and very little
Quidditch or Hagrid (more reasons for Harry's gloom), but the
power of this book comes from the young magician's struggles
with his emotions and identity. Particularly moving is the
unveiling, after a final devastating tragedy, of Dumbledore's
very strong feelings of attachment and responsibility toward
Harry. Children will enjoy the magic and the Hogwarts
mystique, and young adult readers will find a rich and
compelling coming-of-age story as well.
Amazon.com Review
From School Library Journal
Eva Mitnick, Los Angeles Public Library
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.