Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J. K. Rowling is a fantasy adventure for 11 year olds that puts Harry into a magical competition he never chose to enter.

What happens

Before the new school year, there's something much more exciting than homework to think about. The Weasleys have invited Harry to the Quidditch World Cup. First he has to get Uncle Vernon to agree to let him go.

Even that can turn into a ridiculous argument. Mrs Weasley's letter has so many stamps on it that the postman has noticed. In Uncle Vernon's house, attracting attention is practically a crime.

For your reader, there's the pleasure of knowing why these two families keep confusing each other. Something perfectly ordinary to the Weasleys can have the Dursleys spluttering. Harry understands both sides well enough to know exactly which words will annoy his uncle.

But something frightening is already happening away from Privet Drive. At an old house, Voldemort and Wormtail are discussing plans that involve Harry. Harry wakes from a disturbing dream with his scar hurting.

That uneasy feeling stays with you even while he's looking forward to seeing his friends. He wants someone to talk to about what's happened. It's a worry he can't bring to the adults in the next bedroom.

The school-year challenge is the Triwizard Tournament. Harry's name is entered and he finds himself facing a competition he didn't volunteer for. If your reader likes magical adventures with something worrying behind all the excitement, there's plenty here to draw them in.

It's worth knowing how dark the beginning is. The opening chapter recounts three suspicious deaths and shows an elderly man being murdered. This isn't a late twist, and a child who finds frightening threats or death upsetting may find it difficult.

There is humour too, especially when wizarding life meets the Dursleys' determination to ignore it. That may appeal to readers who enjoy the familiar family squabbles as well as the danger. The funny moments don't make the frightening ones disappear.

What to read next

The library also has Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Harry begins that story frustrated by the news being kept from him, with danger reaching much closer to home than he expects.