Beginnings

Welcome friends! I have started this entry in the global technosphere because I have been in love with books since the age of 2. Among the busy business of being a new teacher, this is my outlet for sharing thoughts on a love of reading a wide variety of books. My inspiration can be summed up with a yearbook quote from a teacher written when I was 8: "To the only girl at recess I see reading a book. Good for you!"
My blog title is quoted from a classmate who asked me this once. Believe it or not, I've also heard it as a teacher :D

Monday, May 2, 2011

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets- J.K. Rowling

Purchase:  Amazon | Chapters

Published:  1998
Pages:  251
ISBN:  155192370X
Genre:  Series (Harry Potter, #2), Adventure/Fantasy

Start Date:  Apr. 15, 2011
Finished Date:  Apr. 21, 2011 (7 days)

Where Found:  Part of a birthday gift (box set of the first 3 books)
Why Read:  I intend to finish off the series by next year.  I've only read the first 3 before.

Summary:  Upon returning to Hogwarts for their second year, Harry, Ron and Hermione attempt to solve the mystery of the hidden Chamber of Secrets that somehow revolves around the cocky new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher and the mysterious heir of Slytherin.

Review:

Boy, this series sure grabs hold you and doesn't let go!  I had a blast revisiting this book again.  The plot is not as creative as book #1 as there is less to learn about the workings of Hogwarts (pretty much set up in book #1) but more mysteries are revealed and the story is just getting warmed up.  Chamber of Secrets doesn't have quite the same level of excitement and wonder that the initial book of the series gave us but answers a few questions left over from The Philosopher's Stone.

I found the mystery somewhat predictable (big whoop--I'm an adult!) but at just the right level of intrigue for children to get excited and feel like detectives, keeping track of all the clues and potential suspects.  I love how the characters are becoming more distinct in their personalities, especially supporting players like Professors Snape, McGonagall and Dumbledore.  And how adorable is Ginny Weasley? :)

By the end of this book, there are a few conflicts hanging in the balance, making the wait to start book #3 almost unbearable!  J.K. Rowling is obviously skilled in luring readers to continue the series by offering a tiny peek at a time into her Pandora's box.

What more can I say that hasn't already been said?

Rank:  (A)- Excellent, Highly Recommend

3 comments:

  1. This is actually one of my favourite HP books (along with HBP), I like all the Voldemort back story stuff

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  2. I've loved re-reading the whole series this year. This one isn't my favorite, but all of them add so much to the series. I'm excited you're going to be finishing the series over the next year. The first 3 are great, but the real depth doesn't come until the later books. I think they're much more satisfying as an adult.

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  3. I haven't read these, but they are on my TBR pile. This cover is really different, light, fun and bright!

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