 | 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 Half-Blood Prince
- By J. K. Rowling
- Genre: Fantasy
Common Sense Media says
Powerful penultimate book mines Voldemort's past.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that, as the series progresses and the characters age, it is a better fit for tweens. The violence is more violent (there are many mentions of deaths at the hand of Voldemort and his followers), the mood darker, the consequences greater. A major and beloved character is killed, apparently in vain, and the emotional consequences are great. Harry and Professor Dumbledore piece together memories of Lord Voldemort throughout his life to get a better picture of the enemy they're dealing with, making parts of the book feel more like a psychological thriller. 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?
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 a net of security has dropped on Hogwarts. Deaths, disappearances, and destruction increase as Harry's penultimate year at Hogwarts begins. Most of the book is spent watching Harry learn -- about Voldemort's past, about new potions and spells, about Snape and Malfoy, and even about Dumbledore. The three heroes squabble and bicker, though Harry seems to have mellowed since his furious rampage through Book 5 -- and there's a lot more kissing. And once again, the new teacher of Defense Against the Dark Arts knows more than he's telling.
Is it any good?
Don't even think of reading HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE without having read its predecessors. As J.K. Rowling begins pulling together the threads and characters from the previous books, even fans may have trouble remembering all the references.
As the protagonists age, so do the books, growing darker, more violent, more complex, and much more emotional. While young kids will still want to read it, and will probably be enthralled, this is clearly aimed at tweens and up. But the series remains compellingly readable, breathlessly suspenseful and exciting, and now powerfully emotional.
What families can talk about
Families can also talk about the popularity of the Harry Potter series. Which book is your favorite? Which is your least favorite? Do you like/watch the movies as well? They even made a Harry Potter theme park -- do you want to visit?
On a related note, has the popularity or marketing of Harry Potter made you more interested or less?
The Harry Potter books are considered fantasy because of the magical elements, but draw all kinds of fans -- many who have never read fantasy books before. The sixth book in particular ups the romance and dark psychological thriller elements. Which aspects drew you most to the book?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
Perfect for 11+
I liked the book I think it encourages people to write a bit more. I rate this 11+ because of some of its violence.
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 11 years old
June 4, 2011
AGE
Sorry if i am a bit rude to some.
Nine and up that is! Yeah there is violence but come on! It's Harry Potter! It may be boring a lot in the middle but VERY, VERY informative! I might forget it but i read the book three or four times! Also there is very, very little drinking of a NON-Alcoholic beer, it is as alcoholic as root beer! Continue to see my rant of the thing people get wrong about it! And if I’m wrong i will go read the book now! Ok i am not trying to be rude, but Christain_Girl half that is SO false, i mean maybe I'm wrong! Maybe i didn't read the series a bunch of times! A) Ron is not that violent! B) He NEVER threw a knife! And also if you might know, butter beer is NON- alcoholic. Also he didn't punch him! He threw a chocolate box at his head! He was -SPOLER- under a love potion!They wouldn't let teens drink! Also Ron is mopey a lot but never that violent! And what is the big deal with kissing? Also Felix Felicius wasn't used as a 'drink' he drank it to give him luck!! Sorry if i get rude.
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 10 years old
October 31, 2010
AGE
This book is mild,but great at the same time.In the whole book,the action level goes up and down.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Its a great book that anyone can enjoy. Nice and funny as well.
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 12 years old
August 29, 2010
AGE
Terrible book, very brief action. Skip it and see the movie instead
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
10+ or depending on maturity, no younger than 9.
I love this book. It's one of my favorites in the series. This one has one of the most deaths. It has many wars. And one scene where Dumbledore goes crazy, he also has to cut himself in order to enter a cave, and he falls off a tower. Mild language but i wouldnt worry about that. They kiss a lot, but come on they are teens in this book, teens kiss. I wouldnt count that as inaapropriate content.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Perfect, couldn't be better!
Definitely a bit on the dark side, but what do you expect? Harry and his friends are up to even more conspiracy and theories and we get to explore more of Dumbledore's point of view, too. Fantastic read.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
INCREDIBLE book puts into perspective just how desperate the struggle against Voldemort really is.
Relationships bloom, the stakes are raised, and we begin to learn more about the enemy, while at the same time losing allies and gaining new and dangerous foes. What more could you ask from the penultimate book in the series? Nothing, as far as I am concerned. I could go on and on, but CSM has already said enough for me. This is a simply incredible book that I reccomend to everyone, so long as they've read the other 5. Read them. You won't regret it.
Was this review useful?
|
|
| Topics: | magic and fantasy |
| Author: | J. K. Rowling |
| Illustrator: | Mary Grandpre |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Fantasy |
| Publisher: | Scholastic Inc. |
| Publication date: | July 16, 2005 |
| Number of pages: | 652 |
| Hardcover price: | $29.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 10 - 14 |
Review It
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
Already read it? What do you think?
More from Common Sense Media
Top advice and articles
