The Harry Potter series is one of the most popular book series and movie franchise around the world. Since it’s release in 1997, J.K Rowling has brought the Wizarding World to the “Muggle World” and still continues to today. Many have to thank “The Boy Who Lived” for an escape to the magical Wizarding World and for an experience like no other.
Synopsis
This series follows Harry Potter and his adventures in a magical school called Hogwarts. He is considered “The Boy Who Lived” because as a baby he survived the killing curse that was cast on him by the Dark Wizard, Lord Voldemort. 11 years after this attack Harry is brought to the Wizarding World and has to face Voldemort and his supporters on multiple occasions. Aided by his friend Ron and Hermione they try to take down the Dark Lord once and for all.
Why you should read it
Harry Potter, to many, serves as an escape. Rowling intertwines the Wizarding World with ours. She writes about how magic is everywhere, hidden in plain sight. For example, to get to the train in order to get to Hogwarts, students have to run through a barrier at King’s Cross train station. Rowling even today writes about how magic is in other countries on her website pottermore.com. Different countries call different “non-magic” people different names. For example, in England, they call them “Muggles” but in the United States they call them “No-Majs”.
Harry Potter makes you feel like a kid again. Harry is only 11 and just discovering about another life he has and he tries to find out who he is. Must he live up to being “The Boy Who Lived” and take his famous status for granted or just be humble? There are so many new things in these books that make you curious. Harry is a child and exposed to the new wonders and dangers of his new world. We learn when he learns and we have the same childlike innocence that he does. Everything is new, it’s exciting.
Another thing is that Rowling caters to fans. She replies to fan theories, and still adds to the Wizarding World Universe. Fans glimpse into what happened before Harry Potter’s story in the new movie franchise Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. It’s nice when you can get more content in a series you’re really interested in.
This series also has good messages. One being that friendship will get you through anything and real friends will always be there for you. Ron and Hermione risked their lives to help Harry defeat his enemy and they did it with no questions. They did have rough patches but in the end, they still made it through. Another message this series has is that heartbreak is sometimes inevitable but you can go through it. It reinforces the idea of true love and the growth of relationships. This series also tells us to face our fears, you are braver than you think and your fears can be conquered.
Although many schools and websites label these books as middle school level books for 13-year-olds, I disagree with that label. These books are for everyone, there are many adults who still read these books. This series isn’t written in a way that has language for a child and for comprehension for children. These books are very complex that adults and teens alike can enjoy. And Hogwarts is always there no matter what you’re going through.
