i thought this was a disappointing sequel to the sorcerer’s stone. the plot wasn’t nearly as engaging as the first and far too many hazards were avoided by brilliant strokes of convenience. i guess believers in santa claus and the easter bunny would enjoy all these miracles but doubt any self respecting ten year old would. however, you do find out why hagrid was expelled from hogwarts and prohibited from practicing magic so its worth reading for that alone.

i believe the words of mormon prophet david o mckay when he said “no other success can compensate for failure in the home”. this autobiography details the survival of antwone quenton fisher through a miserable foster home, reform school and subsequent life on the street. the tale furthers my conviction of the dramatic role single individuals can play in affecting another persons life, both for good and harm. from the author: a shame, what could have been an extraordinary deed in her life is an ugly thing. i was a child with no responsibility for being on earth or in her home. with no way to protect myself, she had the power to crush out my spirit, and she did. she had the power to strip me of all feelings of self-worth, so she did. she had the power to beat me to dust, and she did. in my estimation, her behavior was too bizarre for her to wear the title mother, her cruelty more than criminal…