Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
The deluxe edition includes a 32-page insert featuring near scale reproductions of Mary GrandPré's interior art, as well as never-before-seen full-color frontispiece art on special paper. The custom-designed slipcase is foil-stamped and inside is a full cloth case book, blind-stamped on front and back cover, foil stamped on spine. The book includes full-color endpapers with jacket art from theTrade editionand a wraparound jacket featuring exclusive, suitable-for-framing art from Mary GrandPré.Potter News You Can UseJ.K. Rowling has revealed three chapter titles fromHarry Potter and the Half-Blood Princeto be:Chapter Two: "Spinners End"Chapter Six: "Draco's Detour"Chapter Fourteen: "Felix Felicis"A Few Words from J.K. Rowling"I am an extraordinarily lucky person, doing what I love best in the world. I’m sure that I will always be a writer. It was wonderful enough just to be published. The greatest reward is the enthusiasm of the readers." --J.K. Rowling.Find out more about Harry's creator inour exclusive interview with J.K. Rowling.Why We Love HarryFavorite Moments from the SeriesThere are plenty of reasons to love Rowling's wildly popular series--no doubt you have several dozen of your own. Our list features favorite moments, characters, and artifacts from all five books. Keep in mind that this list is by no means exhaustive (what we love about Harry could fill five books!) and does not include any of the spectacular revelatory moments that would spoil the books for those (few) who have not read them. Enjoy.Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's StoneHarry's first trip to the zoo with the Dursleys, when a boa constrictor winks at him.When the Dursleys' house is suddenly besieged by letters for Harry from Hogwarts. Readers learn how much the Dursleys have been keeping from Harry. Rowling does a wonderful job in displaying the lengths to which Uncle Vernon will go to deny that magic exists.Harry's first visit to Diagon Alley with Hagrid. Full of curiosities and rich with magic and marvel, Harry's first trip includes a trip to Gringotts and Ollivanders, where Harry gets his wand (holly and phoenix feather) and discovers yet another connection to He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. This moment is the reader's first full introduction to Rowling's world of witchcraft and wizards.Harry's experience with the Sorting Hat.Harry Potter and the Chamber of SecretsThe de-gnoming of the Weasleys' garden. Harry discovers that even wizards have chores--gnomes must be grabbed (ignoring angry protests "Gerroff me! Gerroff me!"), swung about (to make them too dizzy to come back), and tossed out of the garden--this delightful scene highlights Rowling's clever and witty genius.Harry's first experience with a Howler, sent to Ron by his mother.The Dueling Club battle between Harry and Malfoy. Gilderoy Lockhart starts the Dueling Club to help students practice spells on each other, but he is not prepared for the intensity of the animosity between Harry and Draco. Since they are still young, their minibattle is innocent enough, including tickling and dancing charms.Harry Potter and the Prisoner of AzkabanRon's attempt to use a telephone to call Harry at the Dursleys'.Harry's first encounter with a Dementor on the train (and just about any other encounter with Dementors). Harry's brush with the Dementors is terrifying and prepares Potter fans for a darker, scarier book.Harry, Ron, and Hermione's behavior in Professor Trelawney's Divination class. Some of the best moments in Rowling's books occur when she reminds us that the wizards-in-training at Hogwarts are, after all, just children. Clearly, even at a school of witchcraft and wizardry, classes can be boring and seem pointless to children.The Boggart lesson in Professor Lupin's classroom.Harry, Ron, and Hermione's knock-down confrontation with Snape.Harry Potter and the Goblet of FireHermione's disgust at the reception for the veela (Bulgarian National Team Mascots) at the Quidditch World Cup. Rowling's fourth book addresses issues about growing up--the dynamic between the boys and girls at Hogwarts starts to change. Nowhere is this more plain than the hilarious scene in which magical cheerleaders nearly convince Harry and Ron to jump from the stands to impress them.Viktor Krum's crush on Hermione--and Ron's objection to it.Malfoy's "Potter Stinks" badge.Hermione's creation of S.P.E.W., the intolerant bigotry of the Death Eaters, and the danger of the Triwizard Tournament. Add in the changing dynamics between girls and boys at Hogwarts, and suddenly Rowling's fourth book has a weight and seriousness not as present in early books in the series. Candy and tickle spells are left behind as the students tackle darker, more serious issues and take on larger responsibilities, including the knowledge of illegal curses.Harry Potter and the Order of the PhoenixHarry's outburst to his friends at No. 12 Grimmauld Place. A combination of frustration over being kept in the dark and fear that he will be expelled fuels much of Harry's anger, and it all comes out at once, directly aimed at Ron and Hermione. Rowling perfectly portrays Harry's frustration at being too old to shirk responsibility, but too young to be accepted as part of the fight that he knows is coming.Harry's detention with Professor Umbridge. Rowling shows her darker side, leading readers to believe that Hogwarts is no longer a safe haven for young wizards. Dolores represents a bureaucratic tyrant capable of real evil, and Harry is forced to endure their private battle of wills alone.Harry and Cho's painfully awkward interactions. Rowling clearly remembers what it was like to be a teenager.Harry's Occlumency lessons with Snape.Dumbledore's confession to Harry.Begin at the BeginningHarry Potter and the Sorcerer's StoneHardcoverPaperbackHarry Potter and the Chamber of SecretsHardcoverPaperbackHarry Potter and the Prisoner of AzkabanHardcoverPaperbackHarry Potter and the Goblet of FireHardcoverPaperbackHarry Potter and the Order of the PhoenixHardcoverPaperbackIf You Like J.K. Rowling, You'll Love These Authors…Cornelia FunkeEoin ColferGarth NixNew Novels to Keep You BusyCry of the IcemarkThe Dark Hills DivideSinger of All SongsThe Game of Sunken PlacesChildren of the LampDragon RiderAuthors Younger Potter Fans Should Try…Geronimo StiltonAndy GriffithsDav PilkeyWhile You WaitHot New Series for Potter FansCharlie BoneGuardians of Ga'hooleKeys to the KingdomUnderland ChroniclesDragons of DeltoraA Few Words from Mary GrandPré"When I illustrate a cover or a book, I draw upon what the author tells me; that's how I see my responsibility as an illustrator. J.K. Rowling is very descriptive in her writing--she gives an illustrator a lot to work with. Each story is packed full of rich visual descriptions of the atmosphere, the mood, the setting, and all the different creatures and people. She makes it easy for me. The images just develop as I sketch and retrace until it feels right and matches her vision." Check outmore Harry Potter artfrom illustrator Mary GrandPré.Did You Know?The Little White Horsewas J.K. Rowling's favorite book as a child.Jane Austenis Rowling's favorite author.Roddy Doyleis Rowling's favorite living writer.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.