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Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (by J. K. Rowling)

common sense media says

Third Potter is darker, more complex, and fantastic.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that J.K. Rowling continues her great plotting and pacing, but this book's edgier themes will appeal more to older kids. For most of the school year, Harry believes he is marked for death and stalked by an escaped prisoner. He also battles a creature of kids' worst nightmares: the Dementors are black-robed floating beings that suck out happiness and feed on your worst fears, which is why Harry hears the sound of his mother's last scream when he sees them. While this can be tough for young and sensitive readers, the bright spot is the Boggart lesson in Defense Against the Dark Arts. Boggarts can turn into what a person fears most, but the kids learn to yell "Ridiculous!" and turn it into something to laugh at. 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 bogarts, 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: Friendship, love, bravery, and loyalty are always major themes in the series. This book also tackles more mature themes like conquering fear and a need for revenge.
Positive role models: Harry makes a very difficult and mature choice, showing some mercy to someone partially responsible for his parents' deaths, and realizing that his parents wouldn't want his friends to become murderers. He doesn't behave admirably all the time, however -- he and Ron are cruel to Hermione when she tries to protect Harry, and there's even more rule-breaking than in previous books -- Harry sneaks out to the wizarding village without permission. Besides Dumbledore, Professor Lupin becomes another good mentor for Harry, helping him conquer his fears and save the day.
Violence: Harry believes he is marked for death and stalked by a murderer most of the school year. Children are in peril, often at the hands of magical creatures: Dementors (black-robed floating beings that suck the happiness out of people) attack Harry and others, making Harry hear the sound of his mother dying as he passes out; they almost administer "the kiss of death," extracting someone's soul through his mouth. A hippogriff (eagle-horse mix) is provoked and strikes a student; the same creature is executed by a hatchet. A Boggart in a class demonstration changes shape to match what students are most afraid of (and kids learn to fight their fears with laughter). A large dog breaks Ron's leg. Adult characters threaten to kill another. A werewolf chases Harry and Hermione. Hermione punches a boy.
Sex: Not applicable.
Language: One "damn" and "b-" spelled that way.
Consumerism: Chocolate Frogs and other sweets mentioned were at first only fantasy products, but are now for sale.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Harry's Aunt Marge and Hagrid both get drunk. Butterbeer is introduced (a magical-world drink with a pinch of alcohol) and the kids go to a pub in Hogsmeade.

More on Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about the more mature content in this book, which marks a turning point in the series. Did the book scare you more than the others in the series so far? Did it make you think more? Why do you think the author made this one for slightly older kids?

  • Even though the Harry Potter books are considered fantasy, this book contains a big mystery and lots of twists and surprises. What do you like best about it -- the fantasy part? The mystery? The surprise ending?

What's the story?

What's the story?

This third entry in the series is scarier and more intense than the last two -- and even more exciting: When he can't stand his relatives' tormenting any more, Harry runs off, only to be picked up by a magical bus and taken to the Leaky Cauldron Inn. There he learns that Sirius Black, who supposedly betrayed his parents, has escaped from the wizard prison Azkaban, and is coming to kill him. The soul-sucking Dementors, guards from the prison, are dispatched to protect him back at school, but Harry finds that whenever one comes near he can hear his mother dying.  But Black seems to get into the school anyway, Hermione and the new Dark Arts teacher each have secrets, and Ron's rat Scabbers and Hermione's new cat act strangely. When Harry obtains a map showing all the secret passages in the school, he makes discoveries about his parents, Snape, Black, and the new teacher. But what he learns may pit him against the Ministry of Magic.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

J.K. Rowling has sidestepped the usual series-writer trap of sticking so closely to a successful formula that each book is just more of the same. With Harry about to enter adolescence, the series, too, seems to be changing; this entry is darker, more complex, and morally more ambiguous than the first two. As he is forced by the Dementors to confront his parents' deaths directly, Harry -- who was always so cool in the earlier books -- is more emotionally unstable. Unlike the static characters in other series, Harry is getting older, with all that entails.

Rowling is a master of careful plotting, and the author is rumored to have planned out the whole story of the series in advance, for a total of seven books. In this volume, her planning shows, and the complexity is so great that, at times, it even inspires rereading. Rowling knows her readers, but even as she stretches their intellect, she never loses them.

Book themes & details

Book Details
Author: J. K. Rowling
Illustrator: Mary Grandpre
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Publication date: January 1, 1999
Number of pages: 435
Hardcover price: $19.99
Paperback price: $10.99
Read Aloud: 7
Read Alone: 9

This review was written by Matt Berman
 
 

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What parents & educators say

9

Most useful reviews by all members

MRW2
kid, 8 years old
 
9+
TIED FOR FAVORITE WITH FIRST INSTALLMENT! GREAT!

smileygirl123
kid, 13 years old
 
this book is perfect for around 11 - 15 or older!!!
This book is one of the best books i've ever read it was very gripping I hardly wanted to put it down in the week it took for me to read it, it was however a forced read though i do not regret deciding to actually read it and i am now going to read the rest of the series.

KinbJune
teen, 13 years old
 
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of the Pages
People say that sequels always tend to get a downgrade, but not with J.K. Rowling! The third installment on the 7-part saga of the Harry Potter series doesn't disappoint! I found this to be very breathtaking and very confusing, but it's the best plot I've seen in my life (so far). It has many twists and turns, although, this one is very dark. I recommend that you read the first 2 before reading this one because it can get confusing, but reading this book first won't mess you up because J.K. Rowling does a thorough recap on the series so far.

noveleater
teen, 15 years old
 
Scary, but better than the first too, don't be surprised if you find yourself reading over your child's shoulder.
Amazing! Truly, Rowling is one of the best writers of our time. For the first time, the book gets scary, and Harry has to fight the fact of his parent's death face first. The one thing that makes Harry Potter stand out, is the true fact that he is like us, and has his own problems, has to face bullies, and on top of that all... Homework! The plot fallows Harry has he runs away from home to Hogwarts, and a Azkaban break out haunts the wizard world. And if that isn't worst enough, he's going straight to Harry... This book is a lot darker, and the author changes her writing style, but I'm not complaining. I really suggest this for an older crowd. I starting reading this when I was nine, and never finished I was too spooked. I just picked it up because my friends keeps on telling me to reread the series, which as you can see, I am. This book is also longer than the first too, so your child as to be ready for it. I really am pretty surprised how much I'm enjoying this series. Well, enjoy!

Ignotus_Peverell
teen, 14 years old
 
AMAZING!GREAT!WOW

sek98
teen, 14 years old
 
Harry Potter RULES!!!!!!!!!!
Harry faces many new challenges this year. He goes throughout almost the whole year seeing the Grim, a dark of of death. Harry faces Boggarts, Werewolves, Dementors, and many more strange creatures in the third installment of Harry Potter. This edition will have readers on the edge of their seats throughout the whole book. I would reccomend this book for kids 9 and up.

percyjacksonfreak
teen, 13 years old
 
Great for anyone 8 and over
Th is my all time favorite Harry Potter book in the series.

JamesRobertson
parent of and 7 , 11 , 14 , 17 year old
 

hpfan1997
teen, 14 years old
 
Each page draws you in.
I read this book because i wanted to see the movies. I really enjoyed it and I think you would too. Pick up a copy beacuse you won't be able to put it down. I just wanted to see the movies because the looked really intresting, so I bought the 1st three years(books) and got into it. I think its the best book I have ever read. I read Twilight annd that was my favorite book...'till I intreduced myself to these books. Parents, if you want your kids to read something really well written, lay a copy of this in their hands.

Aria*loves*Ben
kid, 12 years old
 
Potter Returns in Something Darker, But Just as Good
The third book in the Harry Potter series is more complex than the first two. There is some language and violence, as well as the kids visiting a pub in Hogsmeade. But it will have fans earnestly turning pages.

buuchie
kid, 11 years old
 
harry potter year 3
even though there may be a littlebit of foul launguge the prisinor of azkaban was my favorite, A ithink its ls the least violent of the serise and B harry find there are people who love him othere than the weasleys. it made my heart moshie. though one part is a little scary. you diside if you love it as i dod

Thorin
kid, 13 years old
 
Incredible Plot, A Real Page-Turner
This book was absolutely amazing! It has so many good morals in it, including family, love, friendship, wisdom, and choices. I have probably read it about seven times already, but it is still exciting every time! Gripping suspense and an awesome setting (Hogwarts, a school), make it an enjoyable read, and also a page-turner!

bcoby
kid, 10 years old
 
Best Book Ever
I have read Harry Potter books 1-4 and this is the best!! I would totally read it If I were you!!

SumrJo
kid, 13 years old
 
I Seriously love Sirius!!
Very little language but a bit more violence.

 
Unknownperson
Harry Potter is probably the most fantastic series I have even read - complex and enchanting, this page-turner is the new role-model.

pizza31
adult
 
You know, what I really want to know is why the heck Common Sense Media does not read the books they review. I mean, they cuss A LOT in this wonderful number 3 in the Potter series, but they say that the language is not an issue. Huh? Are they blind, or are they brainless? (No offense, but it's true.) Please, could you actually read the books you review and not give parents the wrong idea? I know that my mom gets mad whenever there's cussing in the books I read. Overall, though, I absolutely love this book, and that's all I have to say.

KScottA
teen, 16 years old
 
Rowling proves herself to be quite the genious of an author.
Far too many book series will have a successful first book, and then the second and third books follow the exact same formula, and this results simply as just more of the same. This is not so with Rowling. This book is quite a bit darker and edgier, as well as more frightening from my perspective, as well as simply not the same in style. Rowling so perfectly and realistically transitions Harry and the gang from kids to teenagers. The subplots and twists are not only incredible, but frequent to no end. I highly reccomend this shocking, engaging, page turning book to everyone 10 and older.

Hermione710
kid, 12 years old
 
Great
This book is great, and the least scariest. I am a Harry Potter fanatic, just look at my username and picture, LOL! :) I think that this is one of the best Harry Potter books.

HarryPotterand ...
kid, 13 years old
 
Scarier, but great.
You will be so attracted to the plot, it's not even funny. Though it is scarier, it is just because Harry is a teenager now. He shows more flaws, and this book focuses more on Harry's parents than ever. You can't deny the fact that he isn't our sweet little boy anymore. It's obvious Rowling has planned this book out for a while. This book is probably the reasons children have started reading. If you want a good book, you gotta make it interesting, and sometimes that results in scariness.

jll795
kid, 12 years old
 
It was the best book ever ! You should read it!

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