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Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (by J. K. Rowling)

common sense media says

Potter sequel is a creature-packed page-turner.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this exciting fantasy may motivate 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 they survive. Harry and his best friends Ron and Hermione may partake in plenty of rule-breaking at school but they are great role models; fierce and loyal friends 'til the end and willing to do whatever it takes to save their fellow students. Parents who want to learn more about the series (and spin-off movies and games) can read our Harry Potter by Age and Stage article.

Educational value: J. K. Rowling borrows from many established stories and myths to piece together her magical world. Kids can look up more about basilisks, giant spiders, flying brooms, magic wands, etc., compare the author's take with other interpretations, and think about how and why she weaves these magical elements and beings into her stories. See the "Families Can Talk About" section for more discussion ideas.
Positive messages: Full of positive messages about the power of love, friendship, and self-sacrifice. Also, about not letting your background dictate who you become. Harry is afraid of his similarities to Voldemort, but Dumbledore reminds him that it's the choices we make that make us who we are. Also, the wizarding world's version of racism and classism is introduced (some pure-blood wizards despise those who are not) and shown as wrong. Plus a flashy professor provides a lesson about fame at any cost.
Positive role models: Main characters Harry, Ron, and Hermione, models of dedicated friends, are rewarded for their bravery. They are usually punished for rule-breaking, but also get away with quite a bit, especially when they're trying to solve the mystery of the chamber of secrets -- they steal potion ingredients, knock out other students with a sleeping potion, and then impersonate them to get information. It's all in the name of saving other Hogwarts students, though, which of course they do in the end. Dumbledore (Hogwarts' eccentric headmaster) is a wonderful mentor to Harry, showing up with sage advice when needed; Harry shows him loyalty at just the right time and is rewarded with the tools to save the day. A charismatically dishonest teacher gets his comeuppance.
Violence: Kids 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.
Sex: A mention that Percy is caught kissing his girlfriend by his younger sister Ginny.
Language: Hermione is called a "mudblood" by Draco, an offensive term in the Potter world meaning "dirty blood."
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

More on Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about year two at Hogwarts. How is this book different from the first in the series? It's often considered many fans' least favorite Harry Potter book (and movie). Why do you think that is? What could have made the book stand out as one of your favorites? What draws you into your favorite stories?

  • Before the last books in the series were published, J. K. Rowling said that this book held a big clue to the plot of the finale. Do you know what that clue is? Is it fun to guess what direction the series will go?

What's the story?

What's the story?

Stuck with awful relatives for the summer, Harry is relieved to be rescued by his friend, Ron, and Ron's brothers in a flying car. Back at Hogwarts, 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. 

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Though the formula is similar to the first book, this well-written, exciting sequel keeps kids glued to the page. It breaks no new ground in the series, but the plot is a riveting thrill ride filled with 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. J.K. Rowling excels at twists, turns, and surprises, and many will find the identity of the person who opened the Chamber a complete surprise.

 

 

Book themes & details

Book Details
Author: J. K. Rowling
Illustrator: Mary Grandpre
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Publication date: June 20, 1999
Number of pages: 341
Paperback price: $19.95
Read Aloud: 9
Read Alone: 9

This review was written by Matt Berman
 
 

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What parents & educators say

8

Most useful reviews by all members

MRW2
kid, 8 years old
 
13+
SCARY!...but good

Miranda ...
kid, 11 years old
 
APPROPRIATE FOR ALL AGES!!!
I have read some of it and nothing is wrong with this book!

Ignotus_Peverell
teen, 14 years old
 
Good!
Great but there are a couple of logic holes that become easy to put-aside!

PYEsinc
teen, 14 years old
 
Definitely not as good as book one; much more violent

HarryPotterand ...
kid, 13 years old
 
You should love it.
Wanna another great review? Well, here it is! "Chamber of Secrets" combines magic, fantasy, animals, beauty, love, and friendship all in one. If you're looking for a good read, here's your book!!! Nothing to worry about, even less worrisome that the first!!! Only thing is that the book is a bit too violent and it's not as good as the first.

plo334
teen, 14 years old
 
BEST THAN FIRST ONE
this book is AWESOME better tah the first with realy great role models and an exciting story. this book highly point is violence but nothing realy bad. and tense chapters is the most. but GREAT

chris27w
parent of 4 and 9 year old
 
Excellent book for age 8 and up!
This book is very good for children who are 8 and older. Strong friendships and loyalties are represented throughout the novel. There are a few passages which may frighten some children since they contain a giant spider and a giant snake. There is some blood and violence surrounding the snake, too. It is relatively mild, though. I recommend reading the book first before allowing your child to read it in case your child is squeamish about blood/mild violence. That being said, I have a six year old who will be allowed to read it in a year or two. I think overall it is an excellent book with good themes.

kendall s
kid, 8 years old
 
Really, my favorite!
i am 8 years old and have read up to the third book. and by far this book is my favorite - the ending is a bit more creepy than the first book,a little sad too.i might not watch the movie though.

ZWolf
kid, 12 years old
 
a nice book review.
a good book for your avid readers parents

imasian101
kid, 11 years old
 
I love this book and it is very exciting and full of mystery.

Dark_Violets
teen, 17 years old
 
A Book Everyone Should Read
Only for kids above eight? That is ridiculous! I read Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets when I was barely seven years old, and I loved it (and continued to read the whole series, which I have now completed 12 times) It is an amazing tale of magic, friendship, and follows the principle of good triumphing over evil.

fastraxsg
parent of 6 and 10 year old
 
bit scarier than the first..
For the first Harry potter if your 7 you will like it for THIS one it gets a bit scarier so probably 8 is a better age when they should watch it! I LOVE HARRY POTTER!!

Kappa Mizu
kid, 11 years old
 
longer
yes i give something to know, it gets longer,and longer as you read the next one so this one is longer then the 1st one but, shorter thanthe 3rd one.....

HarryPotterLover1
kid, 12 years old
 
LOVE IT!!!!!!!!
I LOVE THIS BOoK!!!!!!!!!!!!!

XDMorsemordreXD
teen, 14 years old
 
Chilling But Exceptionally Great!
A little more scary and intense than Sorcerers Stone, Chamber of Secrets is a darker novel with a few minor Logic Holes

SumrJo
kid, 13 years old
 
GREAT!!
A bit harsher than the first installment, but nevertheless mild

CrystalB
teen, 14 years old
 
Perfect for everyone!
Personally, I liked the first book better, but the Chamber of Secrets is perfect if you're looking for that depth of extra mystery. It's really good and I would still recommend it infinitely for all ages, but this one might be a bit of a bad influence for young, immature kids because it has a lot of references like rule-breaking and flying cars. But I still love this book!

kumonboy45
kid, 12 years old
 
Nice J.K. Rowling nice seguel to Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone.I reccomend it to a lot of children.EPIC Note that no person should try to read Harry Potter out of order because you wont get the story to well.Voldemort appears.Violent at some point but when you read it you never go to Wikipedia for what happens I did that a lot and I regret it but I did it.SO if you loved Harry Potter one read this one. 99.98 thumbs up Rowling.

 
The second book in an amazing series
This book is the sequel to the first book in the highly anticipated series Harry Potter. I recommend it highly, and I can tell Rowling is going to be a major figure in fantasy. A little parent guidance is needed in the violent sections, but otherwise, it is a perfect book for young readers.

mrscottoncandy14
teen, 16 years old
 
Rowling does it again
Spiders, snakes, and attacking trees may keep your child's skin covered in goosebumps, which might not be a bad thing because they'll have to read it until the end! Rowling's books will encourage your kids to read more often.

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