Sirius Black, who has been imprisoned at Azkaban for the murder of 13 people, has escaped and is trying to get to the school, and get to Harry. Sinister spirit guards from Azkaban, known as dementors, surround the school and Harry is forbidden from leaving the grounds. Sirius Black succeeds in breaking into the school a few times, and security is tightened. The Harry and his friends learn the surprising truth about Sirius Black...
Book Club Discussion Questions Chapters 1-7
- Why does Aunt Marge make Harry lose his temper?
- Why does Harry actually want to do his summer homework when other kids don't?
- Mr. Weasley thinks that Sirius Black is planning to kill Harry. Why does he think that?
- How is Harry's reaction to the dementor different from his friends' reactions? What does Harry's reaction foretell?
- Why doesn't Hermione like Professor Trelawney? Why does Hermione feel threatened by teaching that is "outside the book?"
- How does Harry feel about Hagrid, and how does he show his feelings for him?
- Why does Professor Lupin deny Harry a chance to face the bogwort?
Questions for Discussion Chapters 8-14
- What did Sirius Black do to the fat lady to upset her?
- On the Quidditch field Harry sees the dementors again. What memory do they trigger? Why?
- How does Professor Lupin describe the dementors? How would you describe them? What do you think they are used to guard Azkaban?
- Why doesn't Azkaban need walls to contain its prisoners?
- Lupin tells Harry, "what you fear most of all is fear. Very wise, Harry" - why does Lupin tell Harry this and what does he mean?
- How does Quidditch represent life at Hogworts for Harry?
Book Club Questions Chapters 15-22
- When was the Whomping Willow planted? Why was it planted? What is its connection to Lupin and Pettigrew?
- Why did Harry's father become an Animagus?
- In what ways were James Potter, Peter Pettigrew, Sirius Black and Remus Lupin like Harry and his friends?
- Why doesn't Harry let Sirius and Remus kill Peter? Do you think Harry made the right choice?
- What is Harry's Patronus and how does he use it?
- Sirius Black is condemned for the murder of 13 people, and Harry turns 13 in this book. Do you think these two "13s" are merely coincidence, or is there a deeper meaning to the author's choice of number? What is the significance of the number 13 and how does it fit into this book?
In addition to the pervasive theme of good versus evil, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban also offers the themes of danger and discovery, entering the teenage years, and making important choices based on one's own sense of what's right and wrong, making the third Harry Potter book a treasure trove of discussion fodder for book clubs and classroom discussions.
Francine Morrissette - Francine Morrissette is a freelance writer from southern Maine who has published articles on a wide range of topics including health, ...
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