Reactions to Book Five

Upon reading Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, some people had objections to the way that J. K. Rowling wrote the book. This is a list of some complaints about the book and my responses to them.

*Why did Fred and George leave school? Now they won't be in the other books as much.*

I think that Fred and George's departure from Hogwarts was a good thing. I love both of them and they are some of my favorite characters. I can see were some people might even take offense at them dropping out of school when that is usually frowned upon. However, they did have the money that Harry gave them. They were not starting on some blind venture. I think that this development will not take them out of the story much. Firstly, their products will be sold all over Hogwarts. Secondly, they are to become Hogwarts legends. Leaving the school like they did is something that they would be pleased to be remembered for. Thirdly, they are quite well off with their joke shop, which is something that they had always wanted.
Readers comment: Well, Fred and George were in their 7th year anyways. It's not like they could have stayed past then. Also, it's not likely they would have gotten any N.E.W.T.s, since they cared so little about school (even though they obviously have vast magical knowledge, as proven by their products!), and that would have been the only reason to finish their seventh year )besides appeasing Mrs. Weasley!).

*What about the House Cup? What about Umbridge's punishment? What about Harry's broom? What about Percy? These things are not quite resolved.*

Well, the only thing I have to say in response to this complaint is that it took a few days for my sister, my brother, and I to finish the book because we had to share one and I don't think even Rowling would be allowed to write more words than she did. (Even though I am glad it was as long as it was. I didn't want the story to end.)
Readers comment: it could have been awarded anyways - we don't really know, since Harry wasn't at the feast! But in light of the Ministry's acknowledgement of Voldemort, is the House Cup at Hogwarts really that big of a deal anyways?

*Harry can't be taken off of the Quidditch team.*

Well, I am really surprised that none of us Harry Potter fans (as far as I know) anticipated his being taken off of the team. Quidditch is the one thing in the books that has stayed pretty steady. Yes, there have been dangers, but the game has stayed pretty constant, just the same. Rowling was right, in my opinion, to shake up the Quidditch story a bit and I am surprised that no one had guessed that something bad would happen with Quidditch.
Readers comment: These were only when Umbridge was headmistress, which she certainly isn't any longer. I'm sure Harry's broom will be returned to him and that he'll make excellent use of
it as Gryffindor Seeker (and most likely Captain of the Gryffindor Team - who else?).

Well, these are just a few of the negative reactions that I have heard to the book. Of course, all of the people I talked to still liked the book, loved it, even. It was just the little things that upset them, like Sirius's death, because the characters have become so real to them. I think Rowling did a great job with the book and I can't wait for the next one.

By Amanda Smith

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