Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Illustrator: Mary GrandPré

Reading Level: 9-12

Unlike her previous novels about the legendary boy wizard, J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is not so much an adventure or mystery as it is a story of discovery. Harry and his readers are delivered information that is essential for establishing the lines that Rowling has so carefully plotted. While adventure and mystery still abound within it's pages, Prisoner of Azkaban is a road sign on the journey to signify that everything you are expecting to see from Harry Potter is not too far ahead.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Plot

When his Uncle Vernon's sister comes to visit the Dursley home, Harry is delivered the last straw when she begins insulting his parents. Furious, Harry gathers his things and leaves in the middle of the night only to discover that a convicted murderer and supporter of Lord Voldemort, Siris Black, has escaped from the wizard prison, Azkaban.

After reuniting with his friends before the start of the school year, Harry is warned that Black has escaped to finish the job the dark lord began with his parents all those years ago. He is also warned not to go looking for the dangerous wizard and as his third year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry progresses, Harry learns why. Once again, it is up to Harry to uncover truth behind the rumors, but this time he must also deal with his feelings of revenge and his desire for justice.

Azkaban Overall Style & Tone

Written with fluid intelligence and grace, the third Harry Potter novel falls into place beautifully within the series. Rowling's style carries over from the previous novels and creates a comfort zone in which the reader can curl up with the familiarity of Harry's world. Without sacrificing her sense of humor, the author again shines a light when darkness falls and again provides a promise of more adventures to come.

Much more emotionally complex than the past novels, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban marks another tick in the time line that Rowling has so skillfully plotted. Sure, Harry has dealt with face-slapping truth and danger before, but in this novel he is put in the company the person responsible for his parent's death. Not only must he deal with more attempts on his life, but the gloominess of his past is placed directly in front of him and he is forced to cope with it.

Characterization & Setting

Building upon a solid foundation, Rowling establishes a ground floor for the workings of her story with the addition of four characters. Setting in motion the gears of her intent for Harry Potter, the author has strategically placed these new faces of influence to mark a twist. Harry and his friends are teenagers now and however dangerous their previous entanglements may have been, the ever-growing threat has been turned into a more forward direction by the addition of these characters.

Settings remain mostly the same in Prisoner of Azkaban, the dismal Dursley home, the enchanting castle and grounds of Hogwarts, but a few new places have been placed to act as symbols of the growth of the story. Because they are of age now, the third year students are allowed to visit the colorful wizard village of Hogsmeade on their own - a sign that Harry and his friends are maturing and up to the task of mingling with the adult world outside of school.

Illustration

Mary GrandPré returns, again, to introduce the chapters in her own form of artistic expression. The consistency of her talent and her vision of Rowling's magical world shine boldly through the soft lines and sharp curves of her unique style.

Prisoner of Azkaban Final Thoughts

Drawing a line between the innocence of childhood and the angst-ridden teenage years before adulthood, Rowling's third novel gives the reader a "play time is over" feeling throughout. While this novel still dances on the line between being a kid and growing up, it is apparent that Black's escape from Azkaban is the catalyst that will begin a chain reaction of events. Harry's future will be a turbulent one and though he has a few victories tucked into his robes, the foreshadowing has been cast to let everyone know that he hasn't seen anything yet.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Links

• J.K. Rowling's Official Site
• Mary GrandPré's Official Site
• The "Ultimate" Harry Potter Site
• Veristaserum.Com - Everything Harry Potter