Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by John Tiffany and Jack Thorne (Based on the original story by J. K. Rowling)

Some call this the 8th installment of the Harry Potter Series, and in many ways it is.  If you haven't read the original series of 7 Harry Potter books by J. K. Rowling, stop reading here (and start reading them, if you are interested!).  Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Lexile: 500; Interest Level: Grades 4-9) is written as a screenplay by Jack Thorne with John Tiffany and J. K. Rowling, and it relies on an understanding of the original stories.

The curtain lifts as Harry and Ginny are taking James and Albus Severus to Platform 9 3/4 for Albus's first trip to Hogwarts. They meet up with Ron and Hermione who are dropping off their daughter Rose.  And so, a new generation heads off to Hogwarts.  The scenes change between what happens with Albus and his experiences at Hogwarts (making friends on the train, being sorted, trying to find his place) and the situations with our favorite characters, all grown up and in charge of the Ministry of Magic (Hermoine), Magical Law Enforcement (Harry) and a joke shop (Ron). 

As we may expect, the children at Hogwarts get into mischief, and there is trouble brewing for the Ministry.  True to the experiences of the original series, we are swept into a world of magic, fame, mystery and danger.  Because it is not J. K. Rowling's riveting prose, this installment is a very different read, but fans of the series will enjoy it just the same. (327 p.)

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