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JKRowling
Common Sense says
A lot or a little?
The parents' guide to what's in this website.
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that J.K. Rowling's site is a fun and safe way to explore the Harry Potter world. The series' author updates it every so often -- especially if there's a Harry Potter announcement (a new movie or book coming out, for example). Kids can find trivia, read the author's bio, view book sketches, learn about different wizards, and discover debunked information. Kids may go nuts trying to figure out some of the more obscure stuff such as finding the virtual ingredients to the secret potion, alluded to in the "Extra Stuff" area. Here's a hint: Use the eraser to reveal what's on the blank sheet of paper! But, there are plenty of fan sites ready to tattle all the secrets if you get stuck at other times.
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User Reviews
- Parents say
- Kids say
A `wizard`
A "wizard" of a website!
What's it about?
JKROWLING.COM opens with a bird's-eye view of J.K. Rowling's office desk. As you mouse over the desktop clutter, some items become \"Portkeys\" that take you to other parts of the site. They will send you to pages where you can read Rowling's biography, peruse a list of answers to frequently asked questions, or visit her link library (check out the very odd paintings on the wall!). As you explore, notice that some items can be clicked and dragged to other places. If you work out the puzzles, you'll be rewarded with additional \"secret\" content to view, which is then saved in your scrapbook for later viewing. Here's a hint: The cell phone can be dialed -- if you know what numbers spell the right magic word. Watch out for Peeves the ghost as you wander about, and remember sometimes interesting things happen to those who just watch and wait!
Is it any good?
The site is a fun and safe place for kids to explore Harry Potter's world.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about J.K. Rowling's background. How do you think her history helped her come up with the stories? How did the death of her own mother mold Harry's own parentless world?
Website details
- Genre: Fan Sites
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy
- Pricing structure: Free
Themes & Topics
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Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.