Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

Powerful penultimate book mines Voldemort's past.

Author: J. K. Rowling Illustrator: Mary Grandpré Pages: 652 Publisher: Scholastic Inc. Published Date: 07/16/2005 Genre: Fiction - Fantasy HC Price: $29.99 Publisher's Recommended Reading Level: 10-14 Read Aloud: 11 Read Alone: 11

Common Sense Note

Parents should know that, as the series progresses and the characters age, this is less and less aimed at younger children. The violence is more violent, the mood darker, the consequences greater. A major and beloved character is killed, and apparently in vain, and the emotional consequences are great.

Kids will want to talk about every detail, of course, but the author raises some new issues, especially in the last third of the book, when Harry and Dumbledore discuss the ways in which we create our own fate.

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Matt Berman

As each new book in the series is released Rowling's achievement grows more amazing. Now clocking in at a total of over 3,300 pages (though this book is not quite as long as Book 5) the series remains compellingly readable, breathlessly suspenseful and exciting, and now powerfully emotional as well.

Don't even think of reading this without having read its predecessors. As Rowling begins pulling together all the threads and characters from the five previous books even fans may have trouble remembering all of the references. As she readies for the climactic showdown in Book 7, a grand design is beginning to become clearer, a design in which there does not appear to have been one wasted character or event.

Perhaps the most amazing thing about this entry in the series is that there is hardly any action for the first 500 or so pages, and yet somehow the pace never flags. Most of the book is spent watching Harry learn -- about Voldemort's past, about new potions and spells, about events out in his world that eerily mirror our own terrorist-shadowed world, about Snape and Malfoy, and even Dumbledore. In between the three heroes squabble and bicker, though Harry himself seems to have mellowed a bit since his furious rampage through Book 5. And there's a lot more kissing.

Rowling also continues the trend she began in Book 3 -- as the protagonists age, so do the books, growing darker, more violent, more complex, and much more emotional. In fact, while not giving anything away, it is safe to say that the last few chapters of the book will leave many devoted fans in tears. While young children will still want to read it, and will probably still be enthralled, this is clearly aimed at older children. When the first few books came out, Rowling was rightfully credited with introducing an entire worldwide generation to the pleasures of reading children's books. Now it seems she may be nudging that generation into adult reading. Whatever her intentions, there is no one more magical in this series than Rowling herself.

From The Book

"And, should it prove necessary ... if it seems Draco will fail ..." whispered Narcissa (Snape's hand twitched within hers, but he did not draw it away), "will you carry out the deed that the Dark Lord has ordered Draco to perform?"

There was a moment's silence. Bellatrix watched, her wand upon their clasped hands, her eyes wide.

"I will," said Snape.

Plot Summary:

Voldemort and his followers, the Death Eaters, are out in the open now, so much so that Rufus Scrimgeour, the new Minister of Magic, feels it necessary to inform the muggle Prime Minister. Snape is up to no good, Draco has been given an assignment by the Dark Lord, and and a net of security has dropped on Hogwarts. Deaths, disappearances, and destruction increase as Harry's penultimate year at Hogwarts begins.

In between classes Harry learns about Voldemort's past, keeps on eye on Draco and Snape, though no one else believes they have joined the Death Eaters, and falls in love with someone he believes he shouldn't. Even Ron is involved with the opposite sex, much to Hermione's annoyance. And once again, the new teacher of Defense Against the Dark Arts knows more than he's telling.

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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Content		CS	adults	kids
Content
Sexual Content Lots of kissing (or snogging, in the British vernacular that is used in the book).
Violence Lots, and increasingly vicious and bloody, with numerous deaths, and with greater consequences as the series progresses, including another death of a major character.
Language A few mild epithets.
Message
	Social Behavior
	Commercialism
	Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco It is accepted in the wizard world that teens drink various imaginary brews, such as butterbeer. Adults get drunk.