Harry Potter is a student at Hogwarts School, but Hogwarts is not your usual school. It is a school of witchcraft and wizardry. At Hogwarts, young boys and girls learn how to cast spells, mix potions, enchant things and, for Harry, battle with serpents. Take a look at Harry's book list for his second year: The Standard Book of Spells, Voyages with Vampires, Wanderings with Werewolves and more. No wonder Harry and his friends Ron and Hermione are excited to return to school in September. Harry and Ron, however, miss the Hogwarts Express and instead drives, or rather flies, Ron's father's magical car to school. Not only do they get a scolding from the headmaster for practising magic without permission, but Ron also receives a howler from his mother. The howler may look just like an ordinary red envelope, but the second you slit it open, loud roars and yells from the sender will explode from the envelop, deafening everyone and embarrassing the recipient. Imagine duelling at Hogwarts where they use magic wands and spells instead of swords. First, you hold your wand in the standard combat position. At the count of three, throw your spell, for example, 'Expelliarmus!' which will send a dazzling flash of scarlet light and blast your opponent off his feet. Life at Hogwarts is exciting until strange things start to happen and cause panic. People are being attacked by a monster that no one has yet seen. According to legend, an evil wizard built the Chamber of Secrets inside Hogwarts. No one knows where the entrance to the chamber is. It is said that when the chamber is unsealed, the Basilisk, the King of Serpents, would be set free to kill with its murderous stare. Those who look at its eyes will suffer instant death. One by one, students are assaulted and left half-dead. When the monster captures Ginny, Ron's younger sister, Harry finds the entrance and risks his life to enter the Chamber of Secrets to save her. There he confronts his greatest enemy, who is determined to kill Harry. All that Harry has got is the phoenix. Can Harry save himself and Ginny? Grab a copy of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets to find out. J K Rowling's accounts of Harry Potter's adventures are full of suspense and filled with surprises. They give you a new sense of appreciation for your school life. Rowling grew up in Chepstow, Wales. She always wanted to be a writer and wrote her first 'book' at the age of six, a story about a rabbit. She studied at Exeter University. She started writing Harry Potter books after the idea occurred to her on a train journey. She now lives in Edinburgh, Scotland. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets won the 1999 Children's Book Award. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets J K Rowling ISBN 0-7475-3848-4 The full Harry Potter series is available at Swindon Book Company. Graphic: YP7BSGLO