It’s the second installment of our countdown to the arrival of the seventh in the series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling . Today is April 18, the release date is July 21. Only 95 days left!

There was something new and different about J.K. Rowling’s magical world when it was still brand new. In the Library it has been so exciting to see the devotion and interest in reading produced by the series. What other good books were you led to by the Harry Potter frenzy? Readers of all ages went wild and I loved recommending lots of other books (especially for kids,) to read to occupy their minds while waiting for each new installment. The second book just increased reader’s appetite for good books. Here are a few of my favorites. Do you have any you’d like to add?

Golden compass by Philip Pullman

Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula LeGuin

Ella enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

Which witch? And The Secret of Platform 13 by Eva Ibbotson

Half magic by Edward Eager

Sabriel by Garth Nix

When we come back to the second book, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, the Dursley family continues to be unhappy about having him around. He is better at magic and is now able to threaten Dudley and get an amusing reaction.

Harry misses Ron and Hermione, especially after he realizes they were not really ignoring him over the summer. The Weasley’s welcome him back with open arms, and help him feel part of their family.

The new and popular Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher takes Harry under his wing, but I wonder if Harry learns anything from him. Lockhart doesn’t seem the “Dark Arts” type. But he has an award-winning smile.

Clues are piling up in the deepening mystery of Voldemort’s power. Snape is as confusing as ever, I think that he dislikes Harry, and that he is very powerful, but not a bad-guy, though all evidence is to the contrary. Do you think he will turn out to be a friend or a foe?

Dumbledore appears once in a while to help and advise Harry. For some reason, he seems to hide his feelings of protectiveness to Harry. Do you agree?

Here are some questions for you: 1. Did you find any good books when you were waiting for the other Harry Potter books to come out? What were they, or which one was your favorite?

2. I, personally, think there’s a lot more to Aunt Petunia than meets the eye, what do you think?

3. How badly do you think Harry needs Ron and Hermione’s help?

4. What do you think of Lockhart? Does he help at all, or just get in the way?

5. Is Snape good or bad? It’s a common question that everyone likes to discuss, but what do you think?