Short Stories from Hogwarts of Heroism, Hardship and Dangerous Hobbies

by J. K. Rowling

Pottermore Presents (book 1)

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42 reviews
Short Stories from Hogwarts of Heroism, Hardship and Dangerous Hobbies - Rowling
4 stars

This was fun to read. There are four little character sketches; three of well known characters from the series and one of the ‘historical’ magical creatures expert, Silvanus Kettleburn. The sketches read like wikipedia entries of real people, but Rowling’s humor and inventive imagination shines through. Much as I enjoyed the biographies of my favorites, the best part was the author’s comments on her creative process.
I really loved Professor McGonagall's history. The rest of the book was good, but I could read an entire series of just McGonagall.
Really loved reading the stuff about McGonagall and Lupin (even though it's pretty problematic if you really analize the things Rowling wants to represent with his character), but omg Rowling really doesn't like Trelawney, does she? Her character has always intrigued me a little tbh, so I was kinda bummed her story gives you just a couple more superficial details.

This collections of shorts just make me love JK even more. Minerva and Remus get wonderful little sketches of their lives growing up and all the heartbreak and wonder involved. I would love full blown books of both of these characters, however, I adore this little slice we are given. These collections from Pottermore an Jk are truly a lovely gift.
This is more for the fans than for anyone else, but if you are a fan, it's awesome to read about the background of the books and how detailed the people and world is in J. K. Rowling's mind.
For a hardcore Potter fan like me, it is impossible not to give the book 5 stars. Delve into the personal lives of McGonagall, Lupin, and Trelawney: oh, yes! It was amazing to learn the kind of research Rowling did while naming her characters. Her inimitable style of writing (despite being heavily criticized) still brings a smile to my face! What more could you ask of a book? My only complaint: it's not available as a hard copy (for me to hug).
Any Harry Potter fan would appreciate this wonderful collection of insights into the magical world. My personal favourite was the entry about Remus Lupin, it had my eyes filling with tears all over again. Rowling is such a wonderful writer and even though this is just a small snippet it showcases her wonderful imagination and style, I hope there will eventually be more of these short stories, already I can't wait to read the other two!

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Author Information

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343+ Works 1,026,493 Members
J. K. (Joanne Kathleen) Rowling was born in Gloucestershire, U. K. on July 31, 1965. She also writes fiction novels under the name of Robert Galbraith. Rowling attended Tutshill Primary and then went on to Wyedean Comprehensive where she was made Head Girl in her final year. She received a degree in French from Exeter University. She later took show more some teaching classes at Moray House Teacher Training College and a teacher-training course in Manchester, England. This extensive education created a perfect foundation to spark the Harry Potter series that Rowling is renowned for. After college, Rowling moved to London to work for Amnesty International, where she researched human rights abuses in Francophone Africa, and worked as a bilingual secretary. In 1992, Rowling quit office work to move to Portugal and teach English as a Second Language. There she met and married her husband, a Portuguese TV journalist. But the marriage dissolved soon after the birth of their daughter. It was after her stint teaching in Portugal that Rowling began to write the premise for Harry Potter. She returned to Britain and settled in Edinburgh to be near her sister, and attempted to at least finish her book, before looking for another teaching job. Rowling was working as a French teacher when her book, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone was published in June of 1997 and was an overnight sensation. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone won the British Book Awards Children's Book of the Year, was shortlisted for the Guardian Fiction Award, and received a Commended citation in the Carnegie Medal awards. She also received 8,000 pounds from the Scottish Arts Council, which contributed to the finishing touches on The Chamber of Secrets. Rowling continued on to win the Smarties Book Prize three years in a row, the only author ever to do so. At the Bologna Book Fair, Arthur Levine from Scholastic Books, bought the American rights to Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone for the unprecedented amount of $105,000.00. The book was retitled Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone for it's American release, and proceeded to top the Best Seller's lists for children's and adult books. The American edition won Best of the Year in the School Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, Parenting Magazine and the Cooperative Children's Book Center. It was also noted as an ALA Notable Children's Book as well as Number One on the Top Ten of ALA's Best Books for Young Adults. The Harry Potter Series consists of seven books, one for each year of the main character's attendance at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. All of the books in the series have been made into successful movies. She is number 1 on the Hollywood Reporter's '25 Most Powerful Authors' 2016 list. She has also written Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Quidditch Through the Ages, and The Tales of Beedle the Bard. She won the 2016 PEN/Allen Foundation Literary Service Award. In 2016 she, along with Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, published the script of the play Harry Potter and the cursed child. It became an instant bestseller. Rowling's first novel for an adult audience,The Casual Vacancy, was published by Little Brown in September 2012. She made The New York Times Best Seller List with her title Very Good Lives: The Fringe Benefits of Failure and the Importance of Imagination. She published two bestselling fiction novels under the name of Robert Galbraith: The Cuckoo's Calling and The Silkworm. (Bowker Author Biography) show less

Series

Common Knowledge

Canonical title
Short Stories from Hogwarts of Heroism, Hardship and Dangerous Hobbies
Original title
Short Stories from Hogwarts of Heroism, Hardship and Dangerous Hobbies
Original publication date
2016-09-06
People/Characters
Minerva McGonagall; Remus Lupin; Sybil Trelawney; Silvanus Kettleburn
Important places
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Scotland, UK
First words
The wizarding world can be a dark and dangerous place.
Last words
(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)After all, you don't have to be a sword-wielding Gryffindor to be a hero; sometimes, all it takes is having your heart in the right place.

Classifications

Genres
Fiction and Literature, Fantasy, Teen
DDC/MDS
823.914Literature & rhetoricEnglish & Old English literaturesEnglish fiction1900-1901-19991945-1999

Statistics

Members
698
Popularity
40,642
Reviews
36
Rating
(3.92)
Languages
English, German, Italian
Media
Paper, Ebook
ISBNs
5
ASINs
5