Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Author: J.K. Rowling (full name: Joanne Rowling)

First published: July 2, 1998 (UK)

Main reprint: June 1, 1999 (US)

Summary: Harry returns to Hogwarts for his second year, where a series of mysterious attacks on students occurs. These attacks leave students "petrified," and rumors spread about the reopening of the Chamber of Secrets, a hidden chamber created by one of the founders of Hogwarts, Salazar Slytherin. It is said to contain a monster that only Slytherin’s heir can control. Harry hears strange voices and discovers that the monster is a basilisk, a giant serpent, being controlled by Tom Riddle, a younger version of Voldemort. With the help of Fawkes the phoenix and the Sword of Gryffindor, Harry defeats the basilisk and saves Ginny Weasley, who had been possessed by Riddle’s diary.