Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix: Harry Potter, Book 5
J.K. Rowling mixes up a more intense brew in fifth book.
Parents say
Based on 36 reviews
Kids say
Based on 145 reviews
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is the fifth book in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series about an orphan boy at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. As in Book 4, a major character dies at the end, but this time it's an adult and he's heavily mourned. Another adult is brutally attacked by a snake and almost dies. Students fight adults and are injured (knocked out, broken nose, broken ankle) and tortured with a curse that causes intense pain. And during Professor Umbridge's detention, students' hands scar and bleed thanks to her special pen for writing lines. There are fistfights, and spooky Dementors who try to suck out a soul. One teacher is knocked out by a spell, two teachers are attacked by wizards and centaurs, and another teacher remembers his childhood of being bullied. Harry and friends hear many stories about how many died or were tortured the last time Voldemort was in power, including Harry's parents. Harry is 15 now and dating, and at one point he's surrounded by kissing couples at a tea shop. Language is pretty mild with mostly "damn." A few minor characters drink heavily and smoke a little. Most readers comment about how angry Harry seems in this book. At the start of Order of the Phoenix, he's in trouble all the time for his temper, but he slowly learns how to channel that anger into something positive: training his fellow students how to fight the dark arts. He becomes a leader and a teacher in this group of students and is proud of his pupils. 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.
Community Reviews
Less action than in previous films; some language, romance in 5th film
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Less action than in previous films; some language, romance in 5th film
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What's the Story?
In HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX, Harry is spending another miserable summer at his aunt and uncle's house when he and his cousin Dudley are attacked by a pair of Dementors. Defending himself with the Patronus charm in the presence of a muggle lands Harry in all kinds of trouble with the Ministry of Magic. The wizards there are looking for any reason to punish and discredit him -- they don't want to believe that Voldemort is alive and gathering his Death Eaters once again. It takes a trip to the Ministry and lots of help from Dumbledore to clear Harry's name and get him back to Hogwarts for another year. Harry is relieved to be there until he meets the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, the Ministry's most ruthless defender, Dolores Umbridge. Harry can't control his outrage when she calls him an attention-seeking liar, refuses to teach real defensive magic (because what would a bunch of children need it for?) and starts censoring and firing the other Hogwarts teachers. He has to do something to fight back against Umbridge and prepare for the inevitable: the day he must face Voldemort again.
Is It Any Good?
This exciting installment pits Harry against inept politicians, cruel teachers, and his number-one foe, Voldemort, who is indeed back no matter what the Ministry says. Harry faces so many trials this challenging school year, many thanks to the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher and toad-like Ministry toadie, Dolores Umbridge. She seems determined to get that "liar" Harry Potter expelled, or almost worse, off the Gryffindor Quidditch team for good. Harry can't control his temper whenever the aptly named Umbridge is around. He also can't seem to control his own body and emotions, a development both fascinating and frightening. Harry has repetitive dreams of long hallways and locked doors, sudden bursts of feeling that aren't his, and a regular prickling sensation in his scar. He suspects his connection to Voldemort has grown stronger with his return and is proven right when, in his sleep, Harry witnesses -- and is unwittingly a part of -- a vicious attack. Readers will be worrying as Harry does just how deep the connection goes and who will get attacked next.
They'll have to wait a bit to uncover that mystery. The school year is a busy one in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, what with the first real exams looming, Harry's attempts at dating, and super-secret meetings of a Defense Against the Dark Arts club -- Hermione's brilliant idea. And then there are the Weasley twins' rebellious antics that provide one of the most satisfying cheer-out-loud moments of the entire series. If only Harry's fifth year could end on that high note, but when has a year at Hogwarts ever ended peaceably? The inevitable showdown is a nail-biter, and even more exciting because Harry's got a crew of friends along to fight with him – hooray for Neville, Luna, and Ginny. And in the wake of another tragic loss, it's finally time for Dumbledore to tell all he knows. It's a startling revelation that sets up the even more intense showdowns in the Harry Potter books to come. Get ready.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about anger in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. With Dolores Umbridge around, there's plenty to be mad about. When Harry rages at Umbridge, what are the consequences? Which version of Harry are you when you face an injustice? How much harder is it to decide to do something about injustice than stew in anger over it?
Why did Harry agree to let Rita Skeeter tell his story? When the article is banned at school everyone wants to read it -- and does. Can you think of examples of this happening in today's media?
What does Dumbledore mean when he says that the fountain in the Ministry of Magic depicting witches and wizards ruling over other magical creatures "told a lie"? How would this magical world be different if centaurs, house elves, and goblins were treated as equals? What other books do you read that question the way class or race are viewed in society? How many of them are fantasies?
Book Details
- Author: J. K. Rowling
- Illustrator: Mary Grandpre
- Genre: Fantasy
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Princesses, Fairies, Mermaids, and More, Adventures, Brothers and Sisters, Cats, Dogs, and Mice, Friendship, High School, Monsters, Ghosts, and Vampires
- Character Strengths: Courage, Perseverance, Teamwork
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
- Publication date: June 21, 2003
- Number of pages: 870
- Available on: Paperback, Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Award: ALA Best and Notable Books
- Last updated: June 23, 2022
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