Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
The release of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix () in Britain, the USA, Canada and Australia on June 21, 2003 broke all kinds of records. In one day, J.K. Rowling's fifth book about Harry Potter became the fastest-selling book in history. In its first weekend, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix grossed more than the weekend's number one movie, The Hulk.
According to news reports, 5,000,000 copies of the book were sold in the United States on June 21 while 1,000,000 were sold in Britain.
"The Australian" newspaper reported 500,000 copies sold. Did you know that the first four Potter books have sold more than 190 million copies worldwide and have been published in more than 50 languages?
The Story
The tone of the fifth book is more somber than the previous books. After all, Harry has grown from an eleven year old boy to a fifteen year old who is dealing with dark forces, anger, and the pains of adolescence. As Michiko Kakutani points out in his review in "The New York Times, "...the book is considerably darker, more psychological book than its predecessors."
In his review on the L.A. Times online, Michael Cart stated, "The first, 'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone,' was inarguably a children's book. That the fifth can be considered a young-adult novel is equally inarguable." Younger children who enjoyed the earlier Harry Potter books may need to wait until they are a little older to get the full enjoyment from this one. For another review, see Jayme Meyers' book review on the About.com: Contemporary Literature site.
The Covers
There are three different designs for the cover art. Scholastic's art for the American edition of the book was created by Mary GrandPre, who created cover art for all of the American editions of the Harry Potter series.
Rowling's UK publisher, Bloomsbury Publishing, created two covers: one for the adult edition and one for the children's edition. These covers are being used throughout the English speaking world, except in the USA. The cover illustration for the children’s edition is by Jason Cockcroft, a well known illustrator of children’s books. The cover design for the adult edition is from a photograph by Michael Wildsmith. It was designed by William Webb.
The Audio Versions
The audio recordings of the Harry Potter books are enormously popular. Jim Dale, who read the previous Harry Potter books, also narrates "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix." His reading of "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" was the 2000 Grammy Award Winner for "Best Spoken Word Album for Children." In an article by Gayle Ronan on Audiobookstoday.com, Dale expressed his enthusiasm, saying, "I 'played' 127 characters for 'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire' and I hope to revisit those old friends and meet many more in J.K. Rowling's addition to the Harry Potter series." The unabridged audiobook () was released in the U.S. and Canada simultaneously with the hardcover.
English writer and actor Stephen Fry narrates the UK audio version of the book, just as he did for the previous Harry Potter books. His reading of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone won the 1999 Talkie Award for Best Children's Title Five Plus.
Special Editions
Both Bloomsbury and Scholastic have released special editions. Scholastic's Deluxe Edition () features full-color printed endpapers, a foil-stamped title on the spine, and a full-color slipcase with matte lamination and foil-stamping. The book jacket is removeable and suitable for framing.
To Learn More
Check the Harry Potter Plus directory on About Children's Books for more information about J.K Rowling, the Harry Potter books, and other books your child may enjoy reading.
Share Your Views
Post your opinion of the Harry Potter series by on my Children's Books Forum.
According to news reports, 5,000,000 copies of the book were sold in the United States on June 21 while 1,000,000 were sold in Britain.
"The Australian" newspaper reported 500,000 copies sold. Did you know that the first four Potter books have sold more than 190 million copies worldwide and have been published in more than 50 languages?
The Story
The tone of the fifth book is more somber than the previous books. After all, Harry has grown from an eleven year old boy to a fifteen year old who is dealing with dark forces, anger, and the pains of adolescence. As Michiko Kakutani points out in his review in "The New York Times, "...the book is considerably darker, more psychological book than its predecessors."
In his review on the L.A. Times online, Michael Cart stated, "The first, 'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone,' was inarguably a children's book. That the fifth can be considered a young-adult novel is equally inarguable." Younger children who enjoyed the earlier Harry Potter books may need to wait until they are a little older to get the full enjoyment from this one. For another review, see Jayme Meyers' book review on the About.com: Contemporary Literature site.
The Covers
There are three different designs for the cover art. Scholastic's art for the American edition of the book was created by Mary GrandPre, who created cover art for all of the American editions of the Harry Potter series.
Rowling's UK publisher, Bloomsbury Publishing, created two covers: one for the adult edition and one for the children's edition. These covers are being used throughout the English speaking world, except in the USA. The cover illustration for the children’s edition is by Jason Cockcroft, a well known illustrator of children’s books. The cover design for the adult edition is from a photograph by Michael Wildsmith. It was designed by William Webb.
The Audio Versions
The audio recordings of the Harry Potter books are enormously popular. Jim Dale, who read the previous Harry Potter books, also narrates "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix." His reading of "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" was the 2000 Grammy Award Winner for "Best Spoken Word Album for Children." In an article by Gayle Ronan on Audiobookstoday.com, Dale expressed his enthusiasm, saying, "I 'played' 127 characters for 'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire' and I hope to revisit those old friends and meet many more in J.K. Rowling's addition to the Harry Potter series." The unabridged audiobook () was released in the U.S. and Canada simultaneously with the hardcover.
English writer and actor Stephen Fry narrates the UK audio version of the book, just as he did for the previous Harry Potter books. His reading of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone won the 1999 Talkie Award for Best Children's Title Five Plus.
Special Editions
Both Bloomsbury and Scholastic have released special editions. Scholastic's Deluxe Edition () features full-color printed endpapers, a foil-stamped title on the spine, and a full-color slipcase with matte lamination and foil-stamping. The book jacket is removeable and suitable for framing.
To Learn More
Check the Harry Potter Plus directory on About Children's Books for more information about J.K Rowling, the Harry Potter books, and other books your child may enjoy reading.
Share Your Views
Post your opinion of the Harry Potter series by on my Children's Books Forum.