Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban was published on July 8, 1999 in the United Kingdom, then again on September 8, 1999 in the United States. It took author J.K. Rowling five years to write the first book (this included years of preparation) and two to write the second, but this book was written in just one year.
Rowling has admitted that writing this book as the best writing experience that she has ever had (at least, that was true up through the writing of the fifth book - I don't know if she still feels that way). One of the things she loves most about this book is the character of Remus Lupin.
This book won many awards, including the following:
- 1999 Booklist Editors' Choice Award
- 1999 Bram Stoker Award for the Best Work for Young Readers
- 1999 FCGB Children's Book Award
- 2000 Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel
The third story introduces Remus Lupin and Sirius Black, as well as Azkaban, the wizard prison. Harry finds out that Sirius Black's actions lead to the death of his parents and now Sirius has escaped from prison to kill Harry. Harry also learns about Time Turners, hippogriffs, and werewolves.
