[ home page ] [ channel4 ] [ writers toolkit ] [ secret passages ]
J.K. Rowling
Jo Rowling always wanted to be a writer but never told anyone
while she was at school because she thought that they would laugh
at her. She wrote her first book when she was six.
At school, Jo was quite hard working (although she
hated sport) and a very keen reader. She loved Little Women, Black
Beauty and, above all, Elizabeth Goudge's The Little White Horse.
When she was 14 her aunt gave her Jessica Mitford's Hons and
Rebels. It made a huge impression on Jo, so much so that she called
her own daughter Jessica.
When she left university, Jo did a bilingual
secretarial course and a few different jobs around the country
before she went off to teach in Portugal. While she was there she
got married and had a baby, before returning to
Edinburgh.
The idea for the Harry Potter books came to Jo on a
train from London to Manchester. She envisaged a seven-book series
that would take Harry from his arrival at Hogwarts as a new boy to
the end of his schooldays. She drew on all her reading and her
imagination to provide the brilliant details that have captivated
readers everywhere.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
Orphaned Harry leads a miserable life with his unpleasant aunt and uncle, and his selfish and spoilt cousin. But then strange letters start to arrive and Harry discovers that he has a great destiny ahead of him. First, he must go to Hogwarts School of Wizards and Witches, which is reached by departing from the secret platform nine and three quarters in King's Cross Station. Wonderfully magical, school-based adventures follow as Harry carves out his new, heroic role in life. (8+)
Published by Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Harry goes back to Hogwarts for his second year. From the moment of his unconventional arrival - in a flying car with his friend Ron - many things begin to go wrong. Someone seems to have opened the hidden Chamber of Secrets and, in doing so, released an evil that threatens the safety of the pupils. Harry's bravery and wisdom save the day. (8+)
Published by Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Harry returns to Hogwarts for his third year and finds that the atmosphere is tense. The dementors, sinister guards from the prison of Azkaban, have been brought in to protect the Hogwarts pupils from an escaped prisoner. Who is he? Harry discovers the identity of the prisoner and, in doing so, finds out a great deal about his past. (9+)
Published by Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
The whole wizarding world is excited by the Quidditch World Cup, but there are some unpleasant scenes afterwards, which show that all is not well. In fact, it looks as though Voldemort is gaining power and his followers are taking increasing liberties. Back at Hogwarts, Harry finds himself taking part in the terrifying Triwizard Tournament. This time there is no doubt that he is in mortal danger. (11+)
Published by Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
[ home page ] [ author - flash version ] [ author - non-flash version ] [ other authors - text only ]
No clips currently available for this author
