Often regarded as one of the best installment of the series, J.K. Rowling’s third Harry Potter novel introduces more beloved characters and fantastical settings, and puts in motion several key plot points that drive the rest of the story. Like the other books, Prisoner of Azkaban functions as a mystery, as Harry and his friends investigate the whereabouts of the infamous escaped killer Sirius Black. The 1999 novel assumes a more mature tone than the first two novels as it explores the complexities of the adult wizarding world and raises difficult questions that many teens confront: Who should be believed? Who should be admired? And who deserves forgiveness? After making multiple controversial comments about transgender women in recent years, Rowling herself has threatened the trust she built with her large and loyal readership. While her series is still lauded as an expertly crafted work of fiction, Rowling’s comments have complicated the relationship many of her fans have with the books. Daniel Radcliffe, who played Harry Potter on screen, addressed this tension in a 2020 essay for The Trevor Project, tellings fans that he believes if “you found anything in these stories that resonated with you and helped you at any time in your life—then that is between you and the book that you read, and it is sacred.” —Madeleine Carlisle
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