The fifth book in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series follows the darkest year yet for our young wizard, who finds himself knocked down a peg or three after the events of last year. Somehow, over the summer, gossip (usually traced back to the magic world's newspaper, the Daily Prophet) has turned Harry's tragic and heroic encounter with Voldemort at the Triwizard Tournament into an excuse to ridicule and discount the teen. Even Professor Dumbledore, headmaster of the school, has come under scrutiny by the Ministry of Magic, which refuses to officially acknowledge the terrifying truth that Voldemort is back. Enter a particularly loathsome new character: the toadlike and simpering ("hem, hem") Dolores Umbridge, senior undersecretary to the Minister of Magic, who takes over the vacant position of Defense Against Dark Arts teacher--and in no time manages to become the High Inquisitor of Hogwarts, as well. Life isn't getting any easier for Harry Potter. With an overwhelming course load as the fifth years prepare for their Ordinary Wizarding Levels examinations (O.W.Ls), devastating changes in the Gryffindor Quidditch team lineup, vivid dreams about long hallways and closed doors, and increasing pain in his lightning-shaped scar, Harry's resilience is sorely tested.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, more than any of the four previous novels in the series, is a coming-of-age story. Harry faces the thorny transition into adulthood, when adult heroes are revealed to be fallible, and matters that seemed black-and-white suddenly come out in shades of gray. Gone is the wide-eyed innocent, the whiz kid of Sorcerer's Stone. Here we have an adolescent who's sometimes sullen, often confused (especially about girls), and always self-questioning. Confronting death again, as well as a startling prophecy, Harry ends his year at Hogwarts exhausted and pensive. Readers, on the other hand, will be energized as they enter yet again the long waiting period for the next title in the marvelous, magical series. (Ages 9 and older) --Emilie Coulter

But I do think the themes and characters get more sophisticated as Harry and his schoolmates grow up, and Harry's battles, though still firmly entrenched in the world of magic, take on much more of a real world flavor. This might be confusing for the 9 and under set.

By the end of the book, most of the adults who have been heroes emerge tarnished in some way; some of the adults who have been seen as Harry's tormentors are seen in a slightly more sympathetic light. Harry himself is often angry, sarcastic and short-tempered. (As a parent of a teenager, I have to say: kudos to JK Rowling for getting this part right - readers might not find Harry a little less likeable, but face it, that's how most 15-year-olds act).

Advice for long term fans: if you haven't read book 4 (the Goblet of Fire) recently, a review session would be in order. In this book, JK Rowling dispenses with most of the rehash of what went before, but at the same time these details seem more important than ever. (Try harrypotterfacts.com for a good cheat sheet).

Oh, one more note: I think it was really cool the way the book arrived precisely on schedule on 6/21 from Amazon in a specially marked Harry Potter box. Once again, Amazon gets the delivery thing right.....