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Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
- By J. K. Rowling
- Genre: Fantasy
Common Sense Media says
Third Potter is darker, more complex, and fantastic.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
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.
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?
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.
What families can talk about
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?
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Kid, 9 years old
May 7, 2011
AGE
9+
TIED FOR FAVORITE WITH FIRST INSTALLMENT! GREAT!
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AGE
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!
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AGE
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.
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AGE
Unknownperson
Harry Potter is probably the most fantastic series I have even read - complex and enchanting, this page-turner is the new role-model.
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AGE
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.
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AGE
Great for anyone 8 and over
Th is my all time favorite Harry Potter book in the series.
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AGE
I Seriously love Sirius!!
Very little language but a bit more violence.
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Kid, 11 years old
November 30, 2011
AGE
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
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Kid, 12 years old
November 21, 2011
AGE
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.
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| Topics: | magic and fantasy |
| Author: | J. K. Rowling |
| Illustrator: | Mary Grandpre |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Fantasy |
| Publisher: | Scholastic Inc. |
| Publication date: | January 1, 1999 |
| Number of pages: | 435 |
| Hardcover price: | $19.99 |
| Paperback price: | $10.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 12 - 13 |
| Read aloud: | 7 |
| Read alone: | 9 |
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