I really liked this fourth HP book in the series. It was suspenceful, action-packed, and really amazing.
Tools for this page
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
-
Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)
Not age appropriate for kids under 8, age appropriate for kids over 10; suggested age 10. -
Is it any good?
-
Common Sense says
4th Potter has brilliant plotting -- and dragons.
updated 07.04.08
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 10 and Up
The good stuff
What to watch out for
-
Violence :
-
Sex :
-
Language:
-
Consumerism:
-
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
About Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Parents need to know that brilliant plotting and pacing and increasingly rich characterizations will keep kids enthralled. Kids will be upset when a teen character dies, and sensitive readers may have trouble with the idea of a hand being severed and Harry's capture and torture. Since the characters are 14, they're starting to notice the opposite sex; J.K. Rowling handles this well. This fourth in the series keeps the positive messages of friendship and loyalty going strong.
Read our full review by Matt Berman
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about what they saw coming and what was a surprise. Many kids say this book is their favorite in the series -- if so, why? If not, which book wins out? Cheating is rampant among the teachers and judges involved in the Triwizard competition, but not among the competitors. Why do you think this is? Does Ron have a right to be jealous if he didn't ask Hermione to the ball?
Want more? Get Common Sense recommendations delivered to your inbox.
You are now subscribed to the Common Sense weekly newsletter!
To write reviews and create a public profile, complete your account set-up here.
Our Members Say
See all 36 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
Lives in ArizonaI rate this title on for age 10 and give itGreat Book!
Lives in TexasI rate this title on for age 10 and give itFunniest!
This HP book is by far the funniest of all. It's fast moving (literally; there has not been a single time in which I have read this book for over three days) and a lot denser than the previous books. It's a big turning point in the series.
Lives in CaliforniaI rate this title on for age 8 and give itHalf clued in
I just finished reading this book to my 8 year old. I have read the first three to him as well. I agree that children 10 and older will probably get more from this book than the average 8 year old. That said, my child loves the series and did not have a hard time with the gory parts or the death of a "good guy" character. In fact it gave us the opportunity to discuss what he hears, sees, and discusses with friends at school. Several of his friends are into Star Wars and Indiana Jones as well as Harry Potter. We have talked about fiction and fact, about the horrors of war and why people should avoid war at all costs, and about why people follow "a bad guy" as a leader. I expect in a year or two my son will go back and read these books to himself, and having been through them once will probably get a lot of nuance out of them. He has not suffered from nightmares or been troubled by the story. He is learning about literature and developing a thirst for exciting books and becoming an avid reader.
- Lives in MichiganI rate this title on for age 9 and give it
THE Turning Point in the Series
When I first read the Goblet of Fire, I thought: "Hmm, this isn't going to be another 'Harry foils Voldemort's resurrection attempts,' is it?" The book did indeed seem to begin that way, but I quickly realized that Rowling was on to something. It took place after Harry's innocent romps through Hogwarts castle as a preteen, yet before everything went to Hell in a handbasket during the latter parts of the series. The book is truly in a class of its own. The darkness is undeniable in this volume, and some parts may send the little ones flying under the blankets because they are described so realistically. The book is well over 700-pages, so it is definately something you would pursue on those uneventful days at home. For the first time in the series, the swear words become ever so subtle. Considering the length and material of the book, The Goblet of Fire should be appropriate for anyone over nine.
- I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give it
Give Recommendations, Get Them, Too!
Become a member and get recommendations from other parents based on your child's age.
Already a member? Log in
Our Members Rate It
Have You Read It? 
For Your Family
Get age-based recommendations for your kids:
Customize based on your child's age
Caroline Knorr recommends:
The Last Olympian: Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 5
for kids age 10
See more from Caroline Knorr
The Last Olympian: Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 5
for kids age 10
See more from Caroline Knorr
summitmom recommends:
The Titan's Curse: Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 3
for kids age 10
See more from summitmom
The Titan's Curse: Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 3
for kids age 10
See more from summitmom
