Harry Potter has to sneak back to Hogwarts, after accidentally inflating his horrible Aunt Petunia. But once there everyone is whispering about a prizoner who has escaped from the famous wizard prizon, Azkaban. His name is Sirius Black, and as a follower of Lord Voldemort he is determined to track Harry Potter down -- even if it means laying siege to the very walls of Hogwarts!
For most children, summer vacation is something to look forward to. But not for our 13-year-old hero, who's forced to spend his summers with an aunt, uncle, and cousin who detest him. The third book in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series catapults into action when the young wizard "accidentally" causes the Dursleys' dreadful visitor Aunt Marge to inflate like a monstrous balloon and drift up to the ceiling. Fearing punishment from Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon (and from officials at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry who strictly forbid students to cast spells in the nonmagic world of Muggles), Harry lunges out into the darkness with his heavy trunk and his owl Hedwig.
As it turns out, Harry isn't punished at all for his errant wizardry. Instead he is mysteriously rescued from his Muggle neighborhood and whisked off in a triple-decker, violently purple bus to spend the remaining weeks of summer in a friendly inn called the Leaky Cauldron. What Harry has to face as he begins his third year at Hogwarts explains why the officials let him off easily. It seems that Sirius Black--an escaped convict from the prison of Azkaban--is on the loose. Not only that, but he's after Harry Potter. But why? And why do the Dementors, the guards hired to protect him, chill Harry's very heart when others are unaffected? Once again, Rowling has created a mystery that will have children and adults cheering, not to mention standing in line for her next book. Fortunately, there are four more in the works. (Ages 9 and older) --Karin Snelson
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 5.0 / 5.0
Trouble Returns:
After only two chapters Harry is in trouble yet again. While on his dreaded summer vacation, he blows up his aunt into a life-size balloon. Does this mean Azkaban for this wizard? No instead he is sent to Diagon Alley away from his family. Harry is not complaining. Now he is on his own and waiting for his third year at Hogwarts. Towards the final days in Diagon he meets up with Ron and Hermione and manages to spend most of his money. Before heading to Hogwarts, Ron's family takes care of Harry. This... more info
OK BUY:
WONDERFUL BOOK BUT WISH IT WAS IN BETTER CONDITION. HAD STAIN ON SIDE OF PAGES THAT LOOKS LIKE BLOOD!IDK
Rowling Hits Her Stride, Making No. 3 Succeed for Both Young Readers and Adults:
In broad outline HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN follows the pattern of the previous two books: a magical adventure yarn about the young eponymous wizard told within the framework of another year at the English wizarding boarding school Hogwarts, the beginning and ending of the story in the company of Harry's insufferable muggle (regular people) relatives, the Dursleys. Book Number Three is, in the richness of its plot and its psychological depth, more intriguing than its predecessors. That it's... more info
My 9 year daughter asked me to read this, as she loved it. I can't imagine a more brilliant and talented author. Everyone with a bit of child in him or her must read this book!! Gripping, suspenseful and heart rendering at the end! Enjoy!!!!