Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that though similar to book one, this well-written, exciting sequel keeps kids glued to the page. Illustrations are clever but minimal. This story motivates children to tackle its greater length and complexity and play imaginative games. The young heroes find themselves in many tense situations: in a flying car, surrounded by giant spiders, and facing a giant serpent with Medusa-like abilities. Two characters are near death in the book's climax, but survive.
Families can talk about year two at Hogwarts and what Harry learns about himself. What traits are helping him become a hero figure? Why must he face is enemy alone? What do we find out about the diary later in the series that makes it so important?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Matt Berman
Though similar to book one, this well-written, exciting sequel keeps kids glued to the page.
The author revels in the details of Hogwarts, a boarding school populated by ghosts and monsters, as well as the usual living inhabitants. Classes in the various branches of magic are taught by a cast of teachers who can be described -- to put it mildly -- as eccentric.
Though it breaks no new ground in the series, the plot is a riveting thrill ride, involving giant man-eating spiders, a ghost who lurks in the girls' bathroom, secret underground vaults, time travel, magical-transformation potions, the near death of several major and minor characters, and a climactic confrontation with the greatest evil wizard of them all, Voldemort. Rowling excels at twists, turns, and surprises, and many will find the identity of the person who opened the Chamber a complete surprise.
Combining classic elements of fantasy (a magical battle between good versus evil), adventure (children in mortal danger save the day when the adults can't), and mystery (a hidden evil prowls the stone halls of an ancient castle, picking off the residents one by one), the Harry Potter series appeals to a wide variety of children, and awakens their fantasy lives. When the story was read to one third-grade class, they played Harry Potter at recess for weeks afterward. Of all of Harry's magical powers, his ability to pull children and adults into another world is the most precious.
From The Book
Harry's stomach gave a horrible lurch. Slowly and carefully, he raised himself a few inches so he could look at the statue on the bed. A ray of moonlight lay across its staring face.
It was Colin Creevey. His eyes were wide and his hands were stuck up in front of him, holding his camera.
"Petrified?" whispered Madam Pomfrey.
Plot Summary:
A deadly monster is prowling the halls of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. During his second year there, Harry again confronts evil when students are turned to stone and his best friend's little sister disappears. Though she follows the formula of the first book, Rowling keeps readers caught in her magic spell with twists, turns, and nonstop excitement.
Stuck with his awful relatives for the summer, Harry is rescued by his friend, Ron, and Ron's brothers in a flying car. Back at school, Harry discovers that the legendary Chamber of Secrets has been opened by the mysterious Heir of Slytherin, releasing a monster who prowls the halls of the school turning mudbloods (those with non-magic parents) to stone.
Suspicion soon falls on Harry, who bears more than a passing similarity to Slytherin, including being a Parseltongue (one with the ability to converse with snakes). But Harry and his friends, Ron and Hermione, have even more reasons to try to track down the real Heir and stop the monster. Ron's little sister has disappeared, and Harry's friend, the gamekeeper Hagrid, may be more involved than he's letting on.
Related Books:
Other Books by J.K. Rowling:
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them
Quiddich through the Ages
The Movies:
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
The Video Games:
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban: PC Version
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Harry Potter: Quiddich World Cup
Web Sites:
JKRowling.com
Mugglenet.com
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ViolenceKids are in peril often, but at the hand of fantasy creatures most of the time: giant spiders and an angry tree attack, and a basilisk (giant serpent) has Medusa-like abilities, nearly killing characters and putting them in a rigid, comatose state -- it also chases Harry. Harry falls from his broom and breaks his arm, then bones in his arm are magically and mistakenly removed. A house elf punishes himself by hitting his head repeatedly. In a practice wizards' duel, a (small) snake threatens a student. A spell backfires and Ron coughs up slugs. Two main characters almost die in the book's climax. |
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LanguageHermione is called a "mudblood" by Draco, an offensive term in the Potter world meaning "dirty blood." |
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Social BehaviorHarry and his friends break school rules. Friendship, love, bravery, and loyalty are always major themes in the series. So is the idea of making good choices. Diverse cast and strong female characters, but all major characters are white. A charismatically dishonest teacher gets his comeuppance. |
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