Author: J.K. Rowling
Hardcover, 341 pages
Publisher: Scholastic
Publication date: June 1999
ISBN: 0439064864
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Once again, I dived into the world of Harry Potter and found it as delightful as before. I also found the same little quibbles as before, but all in all, the second book in the adventures of the young wizard was funny, engaging, and definitely made for a nice afternoon of light reading. I love a book that makes me laugh out loud and just have to read excerpts to my husband.
I will remind you once again that I have no children, and I don't know yours (if you have them). I base these kinds of reviews on my memory of my own childhood, and what I would do if I did have a kid.
Harry's second book begins with a another miserable summer at the Dursleys, his muggle family. Luckily for him, his loyal friends come to the rescue, and the fun begins. My favorite part is de-gnoming the garden. Trust me, it's hilarious.
Once back at school, mysterious attacks against the students begin, and everyone seems to think that Harry is the prime suspect! Here is where I think a little parental guidance is due: Harry sometimes does dangerous things instead of heading for the nearest teacher and getting help. As long as your kid can tell the difference between fantasy and reality (and most can, in my limited experience) then they will be fine, and won't fall under the "spell" of Harry's habits of delinquency. And how do parents know if their kid is safe? Talk to them!
If I had kids, I think I'd be reading along with the kids -- more because I enjoy the book than because I think that there is danger here. But what a better way to spend time with your family than to include them in something fun, and then talk about it.
So if you want to laugh out loud, have fun, and communicate with your kids, read Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. If you don't have kids, but still want to laugh out loud, read this book. Harry Potter isn't a menace to kids, he's a fun way to get them reading and thinking. Which is something human beings always need more of.
Reviewed by Leigh
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