Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Featuring Bit, age 7

I am the mean sort of Mom who is not letting my child inhale all the Harry Potter books in one gulp. I'm making her take her time and space them out. It is working well so far. Since we read the first two it has been about nine months. Yes, I've had to listen to lots of begging but she has also reread the first two books on her own several times in the interim so she came into this one really knowing the characters well and there was a definite difference in how invested she was in the story.

The Story

Really I shouldn't have to do this, but as a matter of form: Harry returns to Hogwarts for his third year after having a rather momentous summer. This year everyone is determined to keep Harry safe within the walls of Hogwarts since escaped Azkaban prisoner Sirius Black has escaped and is, most probably, looking for Harry. Harry doesn't only have escaped convicts to worry about though. He also must contend with his old nemesis, Draco Malfoy, constant predictions of his death by his new Divination teacher, and a fight between his two best friends. And there are also the Dementors guarding the school, who cause Harry to pass out whenever they are near.

Bit's Thoughts
Whenever I read a Harry Potter book they get more exciting. I liked Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban because it has so many surprises. I was so shocked by all of the things you find out in the end. I also like Professor Lupin. I think he's very nice and a good new character. I really like all the other new characters and I think Professor Trelawney is silly. I thought there were a lot of funny parts in this one. It made me laugh a lot. I really can't wait to read The Goblet of Fire.

My Thoughts
This one is not my favorite. Not even close. The plot device used at the end has always bothered me a bit. I tend to rush through this one when I reread it but I wasn't able to do that reading it to Bit. What struck me about it on this read through was how much of Ron's and Hermione's character development occurs during this book. I was also reminded of how very much the movie messed up Ron. (Grrrrrr.) The best part of reading the book to Bit was watching as her eyes got wider and wider and she bounced on the couch in excitement at the end.

What Bit and I are reading next: The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis (See, I'm such a meanie.)

Comments

Chachic said…

What's your favorite HP book? I'm glad Bit enjoyed this one because this is actually my favorite in the series.

November 20, 2011 at 11:17 PM

Brandy said…

Despite its many editing issues my favorite is The Order of the Phoenix. I like its themes and that even though Voldemort is back Rowling did an entire story that was about fighting something else.

November 21, 2011 at 8:17 PM

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