Rating: 
Summary: Spare Me!
Review: Whoever thinks this book isn't up to par is insane! I think because most people who didn't find it "in character" or "realistic" enough are over opinionated adults, or simply younger kids who aren't old enough to understand how Harry might be feeling.
Yeah, Harry can get a bad attitude, but he's a TEENAGER! He's just confused & feels alone, & feels angry at the world, isn't that how many normal teenagers feel? Especially if they've been through as much as he has, he has a right!I've practically grown up with Harry since I was 10, I'm now 16 & feel the same way Harry does sometimes. JK Rowling has also warned that the themes would get darker as the books progressed & she's right, but I think the changes also keep it exciting, let's face it, the world is not all merry smiles & sunshine, & if the mood stayed the same through the whole series all you people would be complaining that the books are too "repetitive." So, don't get your knickers in a twist & just enjoy reading this BRILLIANT book, & don't think so much into everything, but still, KEEP YOUR MIND OPEN. There are some really great moments in here that I'm sure you'll love reading, & I'm sure most people who've been reading JK's work from the beginning will love it just as much as the previous books.
Rating:
Summary: Rowling Continues to work Literary Magic
Review: To say that the "Harry Potter" series has revolutionized the publishing industry would be an understatement. Since the release of "Goblet of Fire" in 2000, children and adults alike have been wating with bated breath for the 5th book in the 7 part series to arrive. In those intervening years, two movies based on the books came out, countless parodies have been released, Rowling put out two small "Potterverse" books about Quidditch and Magical Beasts, and reports of her having writers block drove fans mad. Finally, the book was announced with great fanfare, certain passages were released to an eager public, and the book was marketed like crazy. Of course, all they would have to do would be to announce a release date, but that wouldn't lend itself to so many interesting tie-ins. With "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix", publishing finally had a release that could outdraw a movie(and did, with the book trouncing "Hulk" in sales). So the marketing worked. Does the book? Happily, this installment is probably the best Harry Potter book yet, easily surpassing the previous best, "Prisoner of Azkaban". The book is dark, moody, tragic, and full of teen angst, but it loses none of the appeal, as the magical world continues to unfold and new mysteries arise and challanges are faced. Rowling starts strong with this book, perhaps realizing that in "Goblet of Fire" the opening act took too long to set up. "OOtP" is not just longer in length, it is richer in story. I can't think of a single passage that needed to go. The characters that are new are all memorable, especially Luna "Looney" Lovegood, a 4th year Ravenclaw who's father publishes the Wizard equivalent to the Weekly World News, but who also holds some secrets of her own. The most increbile creation in this chapter of the Saga is Delores Umbridge, a government flunky who is sent to Hogwarts to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts and, with the proding of the quite corrupt Ministry of Magic, begins to audit the school teachers in sucha draconian manner that she makes Joeseph McCarthy look like a kitten. Umbridge is the first adult in teh wizarding world not asociated with the dark side that is actually an evil person. She is petty, angry, incompetent, but powerful, and she is the first sign in Harry's life that the world outside Hogwarts is not a perfect place. This book is all about change and responsibility. Well, all of these books are about responsibility on one level or another, so change and how young people adapt to their new perspectives on life is the main focus. Harry is an angry 15 year old in this one, Hormones presumably raging, and he is not the perfect boy he had been before. He comes off as a bit self-righteous and bitter, and lashes out at everyone. Yet he is still essentially a good person, and over the course of the novel you sense maturity finally growing in Harry. Hermione seems to have matured as well, much more patient with Ron and Harry than befoe, and Ron is also gaining self-confidence. Other characters are built up as well, especially Neville Longbottom, and the Weasley Twins, Fred & George, are written so perfectly that I swear I knew people just like them at that age. The guiding hand of the adults that shepperded Harry through the first 4 novels is noticably absent for much of the book. Dumbledore is always around, but his actions remain a mystery through much of the book. Hagrid is back, but in a much more limited role than ever before. Snape takes on a larger role, but he's not much of a guide, and the adult with all the power, Umbridge, is not someone to be trusted. Harry and his friends are now forced to act on their own, and Rowling stresses more than ever the need to trust in your friends and yourself, as well as the need to remain grounded in some sort of reality. Harry learns a lesson about his own arrogance here that, I hate to say, he kinda had coming. It's a very mature theme for a "kids" book, but this is fantasy, and fantasy is the realm of not just children but those who enjoy using their imaginations. JK Rowling is now securely placed near the top of fantasy literature, with fellow Brits CS Lewis an JRR Tolkien. She has created a wonderful world and continues to add to it. Her characters show real emotional growth, and the "OOtP" is easily her best work yet. I hope it doesn't take 3 years for the next one, but if that's how long it takes for a book of this quality, I think I can wait.
Rating:
Summary: THIS IS MY FAVORITE HARRY POTTER BOOK!!!
Review: I love the new Harry Potter book! I like it because it has Perfessor Umbridge, a very crual teacher. She makes strict rules for the whole school. Even though she tortures Harry, Umbridge is what makes this book uniuqe from the other books. The Ministry of Magic also is acting strange and crual to Harry. There are also many changes in this book; including the death of one of Harry's friends.(I can't tell you who!) Harry is much more impatient and quick-tempered in this book. This book has a nice sense of humor. I promise you'll love reading it!
Rating:
Summary: A brilliant entry in the Harry Potter series
Review: Three years after Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire comes Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, a book that succeeds in making you realize what you've been missing for the past three years. Harry is growing up, and deals with all of the traditional teenage issues including mood swings and crushes. Voldemort has returned and Harry is frustrated and angry that he has not heard from the wizarding world all summer. As usual, an event occurs that sends him to his friend Ron's family, and he learns about the Order of the Phoenix. Eventually, he returns to Hogwarts where he worries about his crush, O.W.L.s, and the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, the worst yet. This book is a magical entry that brings back some of the magic that Goblet of Fire lacked. Harry is a teenager and acts like one, as is obvious throughout the book. Numerous characters from previous books make appearances and cameos, and it's nice to see that they haven't been forgotten. New characters also arise, such as the strange Luna "Loony" Lovegood, and Hagrid's brother Grawp. The book also contains the much publicized death of a major character. Despite the books darkest elements, J.K. Rowling keeps a sense of humor throughout, providing some light with the dark. Ron's practical Divination exam caused me to laugh out loud, a rare feat for a book. The book ends on a positive note, which is much needed, and no doubt fans will want to find out what happens in Harry's sixth year. Hopefully, we won't have to wait three years to find out... A+.
Rating:
Summary: the first harry potter for real people
Review: This book is amazingly complex and cunningly performed by JK Rowling. The main difference between this and the first four books in the harry potter series is that it gives harry the true identity of a person his age. Unlike the first four it has Harry questioning how people around him do things verbally, being quite irratable when things don't seem to be going the way they should, and resenting others for leaving him out. This gives Harry the extra dimensions he lacked in the previous novels and helps people feel like they can relate. This book also is more complex in storyline and more mysterious (if you'll believe that) then the first four. Its a modern classic and deserves to be standard reading in schools.
Rating: 
Summary: Better than the other Four
Review: Harry Potter is back, and this time he is more thrilling and and dangerous than ever. J.K.Rowling did not ignore the fact that Harry is a teenage boy with lots of problems, and she examples that with his rage of being chased and watched for four years and with his average adolesent thoughts. any reader will find themselves wrapped in his thoughts and emotians and begin to feel it as well. Rowling throws you into his adventure of wild twists and turns that Harry has trouble keeping up with. This year at Hogwarts is the weirdest and the best of all. from the new female defence aganist the dark arts teacher to Harry's first date, this book makes it impossible to stop reading. (and may i add, harry does not get girls...) the most profound thing is harry's feelings, though. you will relize, as you read, that harry is devolping teenage emotians and problems. (girls, "nothing's fair", and the occasionial thought "what about ME?") and not so normal problems (death, murderers, and some freaky dreams...) whatever the problem may be, it is hard to ignore and exciting and all too realistic.
but worst of all, the rumors are true. a main character dies in this book. no more will be said.
better than any other book, i sugest you go buy it right now, or you'll miss out! (warning: this book may cause tears, loss of sleep, food, water, and many worn out flashlights)
desi
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Summary: Who Says There's No Plot?!
Review: For those challenged readers who for whatever reason did not discern the plot of Book 5, here is a brief summary: The Ministry of Magic is denying the return of Lord Voldemort, and doing all it can to suppress the truth - including putting Harry on trial and taking over Hogwarts. The Order of the Phoenix is trying to protect Harry and put a stop to Volemort's plans in spite of the obstacles raised by the Ministry. As far as Harry's anger and behavior, stop and think: A few weeks before page 1 of Book 5 he witnessed the senseless murder of a peer and was nearly murdered himself. That would be traumatic enough to send an adult reeling, much less a 15 year old. Then in the following weeks he is extremely frustrated by a lack of information from the wizarding world about the whereabouts and actions of the man who tried to kill him. No wonder the kid is upset. Yes, this book was darker, and the death of a significant character was sad, but it is a natural progresssion of the overall story. I was not disappointed. I was touched by the scene with Neville and his parents, and got a kick out of Gilderoy Lockhart's cameo. I think Jo Rowling is getting it right when she describes the actions and relationships of the teenagers (especially between Harry and Cho), and I am looking forward to seeing where she takes the psychic connection between Harry and Voldemort in Books 6 and 7.
Rating:
Summary: Good, too long, and of course harry's angry
Review: It was good a little long and harry was angry for the first 150 pages. Why cant some people understand why harrys angry? he wanted to know what was goin on and no one was tellin him when he saw voldemort come back.hermoine and ron get to go find out whats happening or so he thought when he did all this stuff.i think JKR did an excellent job capturing his personality. he is just a normal teenager with hormones. just because hes heroic doesnt mean hes a perfect little hero.
Rating: 
Summary: The author's magical sparkle is dimming
Review: I feel that J. K. Rowling is suffering from the same problem as some other authors seem to have (such as Sue Grafton) - early books in their series are high energy, very descriptive, and captures and holds the readers attention. I found Book Five less magical as previous books, too wordy (come on, how is Warner Brothers going to fit 870 pages into a 2-hour movie?) and overall disappointly. Harry was a brat. True, he is 15 years old in this book. But none of his other collegues had the explosive temper that he had. Also - "if" Rowling is trying to convey Harry growing up, then the relationship between Harry and Snape needs to be resolved. Both need to mature and put the past behind them. If this had been the 1st Harry Potter book that I had read of the series, I would not have read any of the others.
Rating:
Summary: A step up for Rowling, a chip on the shoulder for Potter
Review: I really don't enjoy whining kids. Harry really has developed an attitude that I don't like. Granted, I encourage my boys to read with Harry Potter because the books are a soild introduction to good literature, not necessarily a learning experience of good manners. Looking deeper, the book takes some unexpected turns and I think that complaints of boredom are not well founded. Book Five is definately a step up from Book Four. Indeed, all the endearing qualities of the first four books has finally been combined in the Order of the Phoenix.
For the reader concerned about the unpleasant attitude that reoccurs in the books, it is a good opportunity to consider the pressures of popularity. The pressures on Harry Potter are a keen reflection of that of a childhood celebrity. There is a good opportunity to discuss with children stress management. The book may be long but I read it quickly because the characters draw one in to new discoveries of Rowling's magical world.
Oh, and by the way the book is a lot of fun too!
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