Reading order · 7 books · 1997 to 2007 · Set in Hogwarts
Harry Potter Books in Order
Harry Potter is an orphan who learns on his eleventh birthday that he is a wizard. The seven books follow his years at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, his friendships with Ron and Hermione, and his struggle against the dark wizard Lord Voldemort. The best-selling book series in history.
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Series facts
- Books
- 7
- Published
- 1997 to 2007
- First book
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
- Latest
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (2007)
- Setting
- Set in Hogwarts
The reading order
Every Harry Potter book in publication order. Choose a title for its cast and summary.
7 books · Set in Hogwarts
- 1Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone1997With Harry PotterHarry Potter, an orphan living with his unkind aunt and uncle, learns on his eleventh birthday that he is a wizard, and begins his first year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.Buy on Amazon
- 2Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets1998With Harry PotterIn Harry’s second year, students at Hogwarts are being found petrified, and a message on the wall says the Chamber of Secrets has been opened.Buy on Amazon
- 3Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban1999With Harry PotterA dangerous prisoner has escaped from the wizard prison of Azkaban, and he seems to be after Harry.Buy on Amazon
- 4Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire2000With Harry PotterHogwarts hosts the Triwizard Tournament, and Harry’s name is unexpectedly chosen as a champion.Buy on Amazon
- 5Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix2003With Harry PotterThe Ministry of Magic refuses to believe that Voldemort has returned, and a new teacher takes control of Hogwarts.Buy on Amazon
- 6Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince2005With Harry PotterDumbledore teaches Harry about Voldemort’s past, while Harry finds an old potions book that once belonged to the mysterious Half-Blood Prince.Buy on Amazon
- 7Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows2007With Harry PotterHarry, Ron and Hermione leave Hogwarts behind to set out on a dangerous quest to defeat Voldemort.Buy on Amazon
Do you need to read them in order?
Read in order, starting with Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. Each book covers one school year, and the books grow darker and longer as Harry grows up.
Who appears in which book
The series’ main characters, book by book. Lead means the book is told around them; minor covers cameos.
| Book | Harry Potter | Ron Weasley | Hermione Granger | Albus Dumbledore | Severus Snape | Rubeus Hagrid | Draco Malfoy | Neville Longbottom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone | LLead | MMajor | MMajor | MMajor | MMajor | MMajor | MMajor | ·Minor |
| 2 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets | LLead | MMajor | MMajor | MMajor | MMajor | MMajor | MMajor | ·Minor |
| 3 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban | LLead | MMajor | MMajor | MMajor | MMajor | MMajor | MMajor | ·Minor |
| 4 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire | LLead | MMajor | MMajor | MMajor | MMajor | MMajor | MMajor | ·Minor |
| 5 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix | LLead | MMajor | MMajor | MMajor | MMajor | MMajor | MMajor | MMajor |
| 6 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince | LLead | MMajor | MMajor | MMajor | MMajor | MMajor | MMajor | ·Minor |
| 7 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows | LLead | MMajor | MMajor | MMajor | MMajor | MMajor | MMajor | MMajor |
Characters in the Harry Potter books
15 characters from J. K. Rowling’s chart, with the number of Harry Potter books each appears in.
| Character | Books | First in this series |
|---|---|---|
| Harry PotterThe Boy Who Lived | 7 | Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone 1997 |
| Ron WeasleyHarry's best friend | 7 | Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone 1997 |
| Hermione GrangerBrilliant Muggle-born witch | 7 | Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone 1997 |
| Albus DumbledoreHeadmaster of Hogwarts | 7 | Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone 1997 |
| Severus SnapePotions master | 7 | Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone 1997 |
| Rubeus HagridGamekeeper and half-giant | 7 | Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone 1997 |
| Draco MalfoySlytherin rival | 7 | Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone 1997 |
| Neville LongbottomShy Gryffindor | 7 | Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone 1997 |
| Ginny WeasleyRon's younger sister | 7 | Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone 1997 |
| Minerva McGonagallHead of Gryffindor | 7 | Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone 1997 |
| Lord VoldemortDark wizard | 6 | Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone 1997 |
| DobbyHouse-elf | 4 | Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets 1998 |
| Remus LupinDefence teacher | 4 | Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban 1999 |
| Sirius BlackHarry's godfather | 3 | Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban 1999 |
| Luna LovegoodDreamy Ravenclaw | 3 | Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix 2003 |