Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling (U.K. Edition, published 2010)-317 pages

It's Harry's (and Ron's and Hermione's) third year at Hogwarts and more adventures abound. Harry and friends visit Hogsmeade for the first time (although Harry isn't supposed to, since his aunt nor uncle signed his permission form, but he sneaks in anyway) and a prisoner named Sirius Black escapes from the infamous Azkaban prison guarded by Dementors, who arrive at Hogwarts to guard against him. As always, Quidditch is played and Harry and Gryffindor finally win the Quidditch cup. Harry also learns more about the circumstances of his parents' deaths and his father's time at Hogwarts. However, there is a most unexpected twist in the side plot of how his parents were betrayed by a friend/best friend to Lord Voldemort to be killed. Additionally, Harry learns why Snape hates him so much and why he hated his father and his father's friends. As before, there is a new Defense against the Dark Arts professor, Professor Lupin, who turns out to be a werewolf and resigns because Snape lets out publicly that he is a werewolf. Gryffindor win the House cup for a third year running. Harry has a new ally (albeit in hiding) in Sirius Black, his Godfather, who signs his Hogsmeade permission slip and gives him and his friends some presents. I really like how J.K. Rowling seemingly fills in all the plot details and the twists and turns in the plot are weaved seamlessly. Also, I am really beginning to like Hagrid and Dumbledore and dislike Snape, of course. These are but a few of the adventures and events of the third installment of Harry Potter and I can't wait to continue reading the series (and watching the movies)!