 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
- By J. K. Rowling
- Genre: Fantasy
Common Sense Media says
Grim, gripping end to the biggest saga in history.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this is a grim, violent fantasy book. Characters show wonderful qualities such as bravery, loyalty, perseverance, and sacrifice, but deaths still occur in nearly every chapter -- major as well as minor. We know younger kids will want to (and probably will) read this wonderful end to the Potter series, but because of the heavy themes, we've rated it for age 12 and up. 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.
What's the story?
At the end of Book 6, Harry found out that he must kill Voldemort and that, before he can be killed, the Horcruxes in which the Dark Lord has hidden pieces of his soul must be found and destroyed. Neither is an easy task -- they are hidden geographically, protected by enchantments, and cannot be destroyed by ordinary magical means. While trying to solve these mysteries, Harry, Ron, and Hermione are on the run and fighting for survival. The Death Eaters have taken over the Ministry of Magic and Hogwarts, put a price on Harry's head, and set up a variety of magical traps for them. Nothing is safe, no one can be trusted, and they have no idea how to even begin accomplishing their tasks.
Is it any good?
The long-awaited finale to the biggest publishing phenomenon in history crashes to a thunderous ending, bringing the series total up to around 4,100 pages. But Book 7 in the saga of the Boy Who Lived will not disappoint. Author J. K. Rowling has lost none of her magic touch. Though there is, at times, a bit too much exposition, it's enthralling, exciting, suspenseful, surprising, clever, and moving from beginning to end. But there's one thing it isn't -- fun. You can't say she didn't warn us, however, as Rowling has publicly stated that fighting pure evil involves hardship, sacrifice, and death. The best word to describe this final book is grim.
Rowling retains her crown as the queen of plotting and pacing. Never for children, and rarely for adults, has there been an epic story arc this complex, convoluted, and carefully constructed. This final book makes it clear that there was hardly a wasted word or event in the whole series as everything comes together in a way that's satisfying -- and that rewards close reading of the previous books.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the publishing phenomenon that is Harry Potter. Why has it been so successful? What makes it different from other books and series for children? Is it just hype, or something more?
What do you think about the way author Rowling ends the series? Are you satisfied?
How is it different from what you expected? Do you wish anything was different? Do you understand the complex reasoning that leads to the denouement?
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AGE
Awesome Ending
Beware, anyone attached to the characters will shed some tears. There are lots of deaths. The way the Minstry treats Muggle-borns is a lot like the ways the Nazis treated Jews, which may be hard for some kids who know about this for take. But, all in all, it's a great book. The kids (can you call them that anymore?) would die for each other. They are smart and resourceful.
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AGE
Must-read
This book is AMAZING and J.K. Rowling is a very talented storyteller. I don't understand some of these reviews, like "iffy" for age seventeen. Your seventeen year old must have grown up under a rock. I read the Harry Potter series to my five year old sister and she enjoys it. Sure, there's tons of violence and death, but you know what? That's just a part of life. I like how J.K. Rowling doesn't try to sugercoat it, with the good side making it out with barely a scratch and the bad guys begging for mercy. She wrote it the way it should be. Because in a war, both sides lose a little. And people need to understand that.
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AGE
Have to read
I love the plot, and all the characters. J.K. Rowling really gives you a lot of suspense
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AGE
A must for Harry Potter fans!
I really enjoyed this book. It is grim and violent. But that said, there are many good messages throughout. I would be warry of letting any child in third grade and below read this book. Children in fourth grade are right on the line. If you know that your kid gets upset by death and violence, give them a year or so. This is a great set of books to get kids to read.
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AGE
Harry Potter...... the epic finale.
Holy Poop! (sorry) This is the greatest of them all. Stunning, gripping, terrifying, beautiful, sad. I started this series this year. The first two were fun, and when the third came along, I didn't know what to expect. Friend's of mine, have told me that this series got slightly darker as the series progressed. Once the third was finished, I bought every Harry Potter in hard back. This year, I have made friends with many of people, and all of them from a book. Books, can give us something, that some times, it's too hard to see something in real life. This was my finale thought after I finished this. This novel was... life altering for me. And as the last thud of the finale book being closed, was like a punch, and I knew this time... no more Harry Potter. This novel helped me see the difference between friend and best friend. I think the all catorizing thing as he is a friend and he's a best is stupid. They are friends if there willing to take risk with you. Life is too short, and thats a problem to me. Okay, now for the review about the story, and violence, sex, language, messages, role models, and the fear factor. The story in this one is, Harry, Ron, and Hermione, now 17, set out to find the five remaining Horcruxes (is that how you spell it?) On the trip, they make new realizations about each other, about love, and many other things. The trip is full of twists, and turns, death, and fear, love, and worry, and just plain friends. The violence includes gory sequences, curses being shot at people. Hitting, and some truly creepy scenes. The sex includes, kissing jokes, and some questionable behavior. Language also includes d***, sh*t, s***, p***, used a couple of times, also git, bloody, and hell. And as the book progresses you know that Harry Potter's finale battle is looming ahead. Beautiful. Enjoy!
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AGE
LOOOVVVVEEEDDD IT!!! <3 Kay, i dont really know how to explain this but: The first time i read it i loved it, but i didn't rlly kno what happened in the end, then a few months later i re-read it cuz i forgot most of the plot, and i re-read it again 2 more times ( a few months from each other so i forget what happens, but know what happens in the end) and the 3rd time i read it I cried cuz i had read all the books and movies and it has all come to an end :( (thts a big thing for me cuz I never cry, ever! srsly). I had finally understood the ending (its rlly hard to explain it) and ya, its one of my favorite books
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Kid, 12 years old
January 6, 2010
AGE
Harry Potter rocks!!!!!!!
I LOVE HARRY POTTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Kid, 12 years old
April 3, 2011
AGE
Everyone read it!
It's an awesome book i've read it 5 times! I started reading the series when i was seven and it wasn't scary for me! Adults just think we can't do anything! It's not fair!
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AGE
Excellent ending; HP fans will love
A VERY exciting end to the Harry Potter series. There are many twists and turns, and many questions are answered. I started the HP series when I was in the third grade, and I was in fifth (10 yrs.) when the final book was released/I finished reading the series. As the title "Deathly Hallows" would suggest, there is a lot of violence and death in this book, as well as some depressing moments. That is why I recommend that you are at least 10 years old before reading this, because some of the events are a bit mature.
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AGE
A very long review
I LOVE Harry Potter! I rated this iffy for 11 and up because a lot of charactors die, and ussually when charactors die, you well, cry. For me it was mostly when( SPOILER ALERT )Dobby died (SPOILER ALERT OVER). He was so cute! A free elf... Any way, when Hermione was being tourtured I was nervouse, as well as many times Harry's scar burned. The kissing parts were just plain akward, and there's some bad language. My highlights were that there are good messages and role modles. The messages have to do with that "blood purity" doesn't matter, and that whole thind with Harry being "master of death" because he wasn't afraid of dying anymore. Hermione is great with problem solving and equility, Harry's brave and (SPOILER ALERT!) Harry died himself (and came back alive) (SPOILER ALERT OVER) protected people he loved. Molly Weasly fought for her family, Luna Lovegood is unique, and the main trio stays together no matter what. I only have one thing to say : I want a book 8!
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| Topics: | magic and fantasy |
| Author: | J. K. Rowling |
| Illustrator: | Mary Grandpre |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Fantasy |
| Publisher: | Arthur A. Levine |
| Publication date: | July 21, 2007 |
| Number of pages: | 759 |
| Hardcover price: | $34.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 10 - 14 |
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