Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

From School Library Journal Grade all levels-The boy with the thunderbolt scar is back, and while he's bravely showing his magical might, he's also succumbing to some very human emotions. J.K. Rowling's fifth book (Scholastic, 2003) is not only bigger than the previous ones, it's better. Harry is now a feisty, sometimes frustrated, 15-year-old with his usual cohort of loyal friends and a new nemesis from the Ministry of Magic. Though the young wizard is fearful when it comes to dating, he's recklessly courageous combating his old enemy, Voldemort. Rowling has carefully combined dexterous detail with bursts of heart-pounding action to create a finely-textured story. Award-winning narrator Jim Dale does a superb job of making both the romping humor and the riveting danger feel three dimensional. Now thoroughly at home with the horde from Hogwart's, Dale is equally adept at creating this book's new and distinctive characters. Even those who've read all of the novel's 870 pages will be richly rewarded by listening to this exceptional recording; and every library should have the cassettes and/or the CDs for them to borrow. Barbara Wysocki, Cora J. Belden Library, Rocky Hill, CT Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.