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Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

(2003, Fiction - Fantasy, Written by J. K. Rowling, Illustrated by Mary Grandpré)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 8, age appropriate for kids over 10; suggested age 10.
  • Is it any good?

    5.0
  • Common Sense says

    Rowling mixes up a potent and volatile brew.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 10 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Aside from the usual rule-breaking, Harry, driven by anger, often behaves badly toward his unusually patient friends. Friendship, love, bravery, and loyalty are always major themes in the series. Strong female characters.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Lots, including some gore, and the death of a major character. Teens fight adults who threaten their lives. Harry is tortured until he is writhing in pain. A teacher oversees cruel punishments for misbehavior, drawing some blood. A character is brutally attacked by a snake. Neville's parents are shown as insane after being tortured years before.
  • Sex:

    A kiss, not described.
  • Language:

    Rare, mild.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Several references to drunkenness, a scene with children in a bar, where it is implied the shady bartender might be willing to serve them alcohol.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Parents need to know that though there is a high level of violence and emotional upset, the morality and boost to reading ability more than balance them out. A group of teens fights adults who want to kill them and a major character dies. Harry is tortured again with a curse that makes him writhe in pain; another character is attacked by a snake. Positive themes of friendship, equality, and loyalty continue to flourish, but Harry develops a short fuse.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about Harry's turbulent and triumphant moments. Why do you think he seems so much angrier in this book? Do you think he treated his friends fairly when he arrived at Grimmauld Place? Why did he agree to let Rita Skeeter tell his story? When the article is banned at school everyone wants to read it -- and does. Can you think of examples of this happening in today's media?

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Our Members Say

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See all 62 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    • My highlights are:
    • Good role models

    harry is really moody in this book maybe cause of his age but apart from that i loved the book, oh and it might be a little scary for little kids

  2. I rate this title on for age 9 and give it 3.0

    As far as Harry Potter books go, this one was my least favorite. Harry is always yelling and getting moody (you'll realize why once you've read it) and his relationship with Dumbledore takes an odd twist. But even though not the best in the series, it is still a nicely told story with a fast paced plot.

  3. I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 5.0

    AMAZING

  4. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate language

    One Word: Astonishing

    The pacing in this book is unrivaled, except by the other Potter books, and takes monumental steps in the storyline. It is very long, and yet it never sags or becomes boring and dull even once. The Harry Potter series gave me love for reading, and I am absolutely positive it will continue to do the same for many children. The way it starts as an easy and short read and than evolves into Dark, complex, and long lilterature that is incredibly well done and convicting is awe-inspiring. If you want your kid/teen to leave the video games alone, get them to pick up the Sorcerer's Stone. For teens and adults who already treasure reading, this series is a rare and pleasant treat. This book ranks as my second favorite of the series, behind only The Deathly Hallows.

  5. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    Lives in Colorado
    I rate this title iffy for age 9 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use

    • My highlights are:
    • Good role models

    off for kids 8 and under

    I have read this book 5 times.

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