Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
By J.K. Rowling
Scholastic, $29.99
ISBN 043935806X

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REVIEW BY TRISHA PING

Think you know everything Potter? Since the January announcement of a release date for Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, any respectable fan has by this time memorized the facts and figures about this behemoth of a book: 38 chapters, about 255,000 words, a release date of June 21. . . .

There are a few lesser-known facts, however, that have probably eluded even the most ardent fans. So, we've done a little research to uncover things you might not know about the popular Potter franchise, including a couple of tidbits about the closely guarded plot of the new book. Test your magical knowledge with the questions below—but please don't resort to wizardry to divine the answers!

1. What word coined by Rowling made it into the Oxford English Dictionary?
2. What mishap slowed filming of Prisoner of Azkaban?
3. Which beloved character will be returning in Order of the Phoenix?
4. How many voices did reader Jim Dale use in the audio version of Goblet of Fire? (Bonus question—how long was the recording?)
5. What do the initials "J.K." stand for?
6. How much is a signed first edition of the British version of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone worth?
7. Who will become the Gryffindor Keeper in the fifth book?
8. Will book four (Goblet of Fire) be one film, or two?
9. A card containing 93 words about the new book was auctioned on eBay for what sum?
10. What ominous dream haunts Harry in Order of the Phoenix?

Answers:

1. "Muggle" was included in the most recent dupdate of the Oxford English Dictionary. Though J.K. Rowling coined it to signify a person with no magical powers, the OED says common usage has extended it to mean "a person who lacks a particular skill or skills, or who is regarded as inferior in some way."
2. Sparks from the Hogwarts Express train started a fire during filming of Prisoner of Azkaban in Scotland, destroying nearly 80 acres of heather moorland.
3. Remus Lupin, Harry's beloved former Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, will return, though in a different capacity: the new DADA teacher will be a woman.
4. Jim Dale used 127 voices to read Goblet of Fire. He's also been selected to record the audio version of Order of the Phoenix, which will be released on the same day as the book. (Answer to the bonus question: the recording is 24 hours long.)
5. Rowling's full name is Joanne Kathleen.
6. A signed, first edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone—the book's title in the UK—sells for upwards of $39,000. Only 600 copies of the UK first edition were printed.
7. Ron Weasley will become the new Gryffindor Keeper (Oliver Wood, team captain and former Keeper, graduated in book four).
8. Sorry, this is a bit of a trick question: screenwriter Steve Kloves has been working closely with Rowling on the script for the film version of book four. It's not yet known whether it will have to be split into two films. Apparently there are benefits to working with Rowling. She told the BBC that she's given Kloves "more information [about the HP books] than I've ever given anyone else."
9. The card, which contains words central to the plot of Order of the Phoenix, was auctioned in December for $45,314. Proceeds went to Book Aid International.
10. According to the publisher, Harry has frightening dreams of "a single door in a silent corridor. This door is somehow more terrifying than every other nightmare combined."

POTTER PARTY MANIA

Still not excited about Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix? Maybe attending a festive release party will get you in the spirit. Here's a sampling of events across the country that have been organized to spread the magic. Be sure to check with booksellers in your area for local festivities.

Davis-Kidd Booksellers in Nashville will hold a late-night party to celebrate the publication of the boy wizard's latest adventures. Activities will include a magic show and a screening of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone on a big-screen TV. Children are encouraged to dress as a favorite Harry Potter character, and refreshments such as Bernie Bott's Every-Flavor Beans and Chocolate Frogs will be served.

Books 'N More in Wilmington, Ohio, is hosting an evening party in an empty lot next door, which will be transformed into a replica of Diagon Alley. Children must change their money at "Gringotts" to get galleons to buy the book, and a unicorn will enter the party on the stroke of midnight.

Otto's of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, is taking a different tack with a party starting at 7 a.m. on June 21. Children will draw houses from a Sorting Hat and spend the day competing in various events—a paper maze, relay races—to earn points for their house.