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A look at the first four Harry Potter books shows an increase of pages with each volume. Harry Potter V, which will hit the bookstores June 21, will weigh in with 896 pages. (Photo courtesy Studio 10) |
At 38 chapters, 896 pages, and 255,000 words, J.K. Rowling's
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is no ordinary reading adventure. Faithful Harry fans, however, shouldn't be intimidated by the book's hefty size, says Arthur Levine, editor of the Harry Potter books in the U.S. After all, most readers have already conquered
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, which runs 752 pages.
"And this is more book!" says Levine. "I think Harry Potter fans are really feeling like more is better. It is a big fat book, but it's a big fat adventure, so I think that is what wins out ultimately."
If tackling a nearly 900-page book does, however, seem a bit overwhelming, here are some reading tips from a Scholastic expert.
Predict. At the end of each chapter, you should review what has just happened and brainstorm what you think might happen next. This will help keep your memory sharp!
Skim. By quickly looking ahead to the next section of the book, you will get a sneak preview of where the plot may be headed. Chapter titles can provide clues about important main ideas.
Reread. If you come to the end of a chapter and still have questions about the plot or a character, you may want to reread certain parts of the story. This strategy is especially helpful if several days have passed since you last picked up the book.
Use Context Clues. You will need to read between the lines to draw conclusions that are not spelled out directly by the author. If you come across unfamiliar words, look at the surrounding words and sentences to find clues about the unfamiliar word's meaning.
Picture the Scene. Making a mental picture of events as they happen in the story will bring the book's characters and scenes to life. This will make them more memorable.
Take Notes and/or Keep a Reading-Response Journal. Writing about what you read will help you clarify and remember ideas. Record your reactions, questions, predictions, and opinions in an empty notebook or journal.
Track Characters. A supersized novel like
Order of the Phoenix is sure to introduce a long lineup of important characters. Create a trading card or "résumé" for each one to remember who's who.
