And David Saylor and I continue to have fun with the design and typography. The question was; who to ask to create the signature for Dolores Umbridge? She’s not a very nice character. I finally asked my mother, who couldn’t be any different from Umbridge in every way. But she WAS a former teacher, and she IS a very good sport. . . . -- Arthur Levine

There is a door at the end of a silent corridor. And it's haunting Harry Potter's dreams. Why else would he be waking in the middle of the night, screaming in terror?

Here are just a few things on Harry's mind:

*A Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher with a personality like poisoned honey
*A venomous, disgruntled house-elf
Ron as keeper of the Gryffindor Quidditch team
*The looming terror of the end-of-term Ordinary Wizarding Level exams

…and of course, the growing threat of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. In the richest installment yet of J. K. Rowling’s seven-part story, Harry Potter is faced with the unreliability of the very government of the magical world and the impotence of the authorities at Hogwarts.

Despite this (or perhaps because of it), he finds depth and strength in his friends, beyond what even he knew; boundless loyalty; and unbearable sacrifice.

Though thick runs the plot (as well as the spine), readers will race through these pages and leave Hogwarts, like Harry, wishing only for the next train back.

“[T]he power of this book comes from the young magician's struggles with his emotions and identity. Particularly moving is the unveiling, after a final devastating tragedy, of Dumbledore's very strong feelings of attachment and responsibility toward Harry. Children will enjoy the magic and the Hogwarts mystique, and young adult readers will find a rich and compelling coming-of-age story as well.” – School Library Journal

“Rowling favors psychological development over plot development here, skillfully exploring the effects of Harry's fall from popularity and the often isolating feelings of adolescence. … As hope blooms at story's end, those who have followed Harry thus far will be every bit as eager to discover what happens to him in his sixth and seventh years.” – Publishers Weekly

“A rich, worthy effort that meets the very high expectations of a world of readers.” -- Booklist