Harry Potter books About This Page:

[disney queen]

do these books "build" on each other? or can i pick up any book in the series and know what is going on? thanks!!

[Disnygirl]

You don't have to read them in order, each book has it's own "story", but sometimes do refer to events that have happend in previous books. But you could read them out of order and still know what's going on.

Disnygirl

[HiddenMickey]

Although the author takes the time to point out old bits of relevant information in each of the subsequent books, I would not suggest starting somewhere in the middle. The books really do build upon each other. I would recommend them as fun reading too. I read the first three about a year ago and am now reading them aloud to the rest of my family (we are almost done with the third) in the evenings. I am excited about the fourth (which I have put off reading so I could read to my family and get them caught up) but have heard from several people that it is much darker than the first three and that I may have to skip reading some of the end of the book because it will be too scary for my young kids.

-HiddenMickey

[Hayley]

Yes, the end of the fourth is very sad and slightly scary. There is a death, but it is handled in a responsible manner, and may help to jump-start a converstation about death in the family--a good thing for children to learn about. I would save the end until you have time to talk with the kids afterwards. But the book is *really* good.

[nicki]

I know that at 2 years old my DS is too young for these books, but what age range are they recommended for? Last year J.K. Rowling came here to Atlanta for a book signing, so I went ahead and went and got signed copies of the first 3 for DS when he gets older. I'm dying to read them myself. Haven't done it yet though. It is amazing how little I read now that I have a toddler. I used to read all the time. Oh well...I'm still reading the boards. That's about all the time I have. Minutes at a time!!

Nicki

[This message has been edited by nicki (edited 08-09-2000).]

[luvdopey]

Each book after the first one does mention events that have happened in the past. You will still be able to understand, just not get the full effect. I have read all of them and love them all! I would recommend reading all of them anyway.

[Fortissimo]

These books are incredible! I am not a fan of sci-fi or fantasy books, so I put off reading them. My niece, Stinky, created her own book review web site (I'm sure most 11 year-olds create these types of web sites, ha ha) and she wanted me to write a critique of the books. I had to confess that I hadn't read them. That weekend we had a family camping trip and Stinky forced me to read the first book.

I could not put the book down, it was so good. In fact, I read all 4 books in 5 days. I dreamed Harry Potter.

As for the age range for the books, I would guess the reading level for book 1 is about 3 grade level. I feel the age level increases with each book. My mom now has the books, but when I get them back, I will do a reading level analysis.

Remember,even if your child can't read the books herself or himself, these are the perfect books to read aloud as a family. It gives the younger children the chance to ask questions ans the parents the chance to explain confusing passages.

[Dave Marx]

I love these books!

I also love Tolkien's Hobbit and Lord of the Rings, and Asimov's Foundation books (including the Foundation books written recently by Brin, Bear and Benford). Call me a sucker for a good fantasy/science fiction series!

Anyway, the Potter books are definately best read in series, but each succeeding book includes a brief recap of what came before, so whereever you jump in you won't be lost (but you will be tempted to go back and read the earlier ones).

In each book Harry Potter ages one year, and the level of story telling rises with him. In the first book Harry is 11, and the writing is appropriate for a nine-year-old on up (at 45 I still find it delightful). He's 14 in the latest book and the themes and storytelling have matured, just as (if you're familiar with Tolkien) The Lord of the Rings was much "older" than The Hobbit.

I don't know if anyone out there follows what's been going on with the New York Times Bestseller Lists (no, PassPorter isn't there, yet). The Times created a new Bestseller List for children's books. Why? The Harry Potter books have been dominating the top of the adult fiction list. If the children's list hadn't existed when the fourth Potter book was published earlier this month, four out of ten adult fiction bestsellers would have been Potter books. Doesn't leave much room for Stephen King or John Clancy, does it?

I'm not thrilled with the Times. I'd guess the majority of Potter readers are adults, so by shunting Potter off onto a children's list they're sweeping a major adult reading phenomenon under the rug.

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Co-Author, PassPorter Walt Disney World 2000
http://www.passporter.com/wdw/

[disney queen]

which is the first book in the series? thanks!

[HiddenMickey]

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is the first book. If you look at the top of the spine on the books, they say "Year 1" "Year 2", etc, making it easy to tell which comes next. (btw--The jacket on my first book, does not have the Year 1 designation as I think it was a really early printing). Happy reading!
HiddenMickey

[disney queen]

thanks! i looked everywhere on the book, but the spine to determine the first in the series.

[michnash]

I just received all of the Harry Potter books from a book club I joined. I can't wait to get started reading them. I want to read them with my 8 year old. Is that too young? Maybe I'll read them first. If you like sci-fi and fantasy books, you might enjoy the Lord Valentine trilogy. I did. (For grown-ups, not kids.)

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Michelle, who loves Eeyore because he needs love so badly.

July 1976 - off site
May 1984 - off site
June 1987 - off site
May 2000 - All Star Movies
Dec. 2000 - All Star Movies
March 2001 - Ft. Wilderness Campground

[Dave Marx]

We introduced my 7 year-old daughter to Harry Potter this very day. Now, she wasn't all that interested--Pokemon is her favorite, and what can possibly compare with that??? She said, "Harry Potter" with all the enthusiasm of Draco Malfoy (Potter fans know what I mean).

Jennifer and I have all the Potter books in hardcover and on tape. We took a long drive today, and we popped book #1, tape #1 into the tape player on the way back home.

Allie was hooked in a matter of minutes. She was sitting upright in the back seat, eyes wide open. We didn't hear a peep out of her except for, "Daddy? Can you make it louder?"

At bed time she was being a bit troublesome. "How about if I read some more Harry Potter to you?" Instant good behavior! Now, in all these years, as much as I've wished it otherwise, Allie has never been interested in bedtime stories. We seem to have an overnight change of heart! I'm one pleased Daddy. I read to her for over half an hour, and she was engaged and excited the entire time.

Michelle: Yes, read the books first. They're wonderful reading. When you do share them with your son it'll feel like you're passing along one of your own childhood loves, rather than exploring new territory. You'll be able to share your enthusiasm and knowledge of the story with him, and make your reading of the tales that much richer.

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Co-Author, PassPorter Walt Disney World 2000
http://www.passporter.com/wdw/

[disney queen]

well, i bought my copy of book 1 tonight. ready to read!!

[disney queen]

just finished book 1 and now ready for he next adventures of harry and friends. just wish he did not have to return to his family for the summer, but i'm sure dudley is in for some surprises!!