Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince -- J. K. Rowling

At sixteen, Harry Potter returns to Hogwarts amidst chaos in both the wizarding and muggle (non-wizarding) communities. That the greatly feared evil wizard Lord Voldemort has returned is no longer a suspicion or a rumor, but is a known fact. Fear runs rampant as people are harmed and even killed. Despite these facts, Hogwarts opens for another yeark and Harry, Ron, and Hermoine return for their 6th year of schooling.

Classes are harder for everyone in their 6th year, but Harry finds help from the "Half-Blood Prince," a former Potions student who made generous and useful notes in Harry's borrowed Potions textbook. In addition to classes, has extra responsibilities, such as Quidditch team captain for the Griffendor House. Furthermore, he finds himself in private tutoring lessons with Professor Dumbledore, the school's headmaster. In time, Harry learns the beginnings of the evil Lord Voldemort and discovers a truth so horrible it almost seems impossible.

Harry's 6th year at Hogwarts is filled with mystery, frustration, love, loss, deceit, fear, and bravery. It is Harry's hardest year yet, and he will face horrors he never imagined.