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A guide to Harry Potter
The Harry Potter series, written by JK Rowling has taken the literary world by storm. No one, not even the author herself, anticipated the impact that one fictional little boy could have had on today’s jaded youth. There are four books in the series so far, each selling better than the last.
In the first book ‘Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone’, we are introduced to Harry. He is a nobody, treated very badly by his aunt and uncle and spoiled, Cousin Dudley Dursley who took him in when his parents were killed by the evil wizard Voldemort (commonly referred to as “You Know Who”). But Harry is amazed to discover that in the non-Muggle (muggles are humans) world he is famous. He is the only person ever to survive after being targeted by Voldemort. He survived Voldemort’s attack with only a lightning-bolt scar on his forehead. Thousands of mysterious letters arrive for Harry but are destroyed by his uncle. Finally one delivered by the friendly giant Hagrid rescues Harry from his dreary, Muggle-ridden existence: "We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." Soon enough, Harry finds himself at Hogwarts with his owl Hedwig. Finding friendship in a way Harry has never experienced before he meets Hermione and Ron. They will share many adventures together at Hogwarts. Harry also excels at the game of Quidditch. This is a soccer like game that is played in the air on broomsticks that holds a very important place in the annals of Hogwarts.
The second book, ‘Harry and the Chamber of Secrets’ he is in terrible danger indeed. After a long summer with the Dursleys he is prevented from getting on the train to Hogwarts to begin his second year. He gets a ride on a magical flying car but, in true Harry form, he crashes into the Whomping Willow. But even worse times await Harry at Hogwarts. Evil voices whisper from the walls, and it seems that his classmate Draco Malfoy is out to get him. Soon it's not just Harry who is worried, as horrible things begin to happen at Hogwarts. The mysterious words on the wall proclaim, "The Chamber of Secrets Has Been Opened. Enemies of the Heir, Beware." But what exactly does it mean? Who or what is turning the Hogwarts students into stone? Harry and his friends risk their own lives deep underneath Hogwarts in an attempt to solve this 50-year-old mystery.
The Third Book, ‘Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban’ the young wizard causes the Dursleys' dreadful visitor Aunt Marge to inflate like a monstrous balloon and drift up to the ceiling. Fearing punishment from his aunt and uncle, Harry runs away with his owl. He is rescued from his Muggle neighborhood in a triple-decker, purple bus to spend the rest of the summer in a inn called the Leaky Cauldron. When Harry returns to Hogwarts he finds out that a mass murderer, Sirius Black has escaped from the prison of Azkaban and is after Harry. The sinister guards of Azkaban, Dementors, are sent for to guard Hogwarts. Harry finds these Dementors very unnerving.
In the fourth book ‘ Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire’ Harry is now 14. Voldemort is still pursuing Harry this year there will be no Quidditch matches between Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin, the four rival houses at Hogwarts. Instead, there will be a competition that hasn't happened for a hundred years. Hogwarts will compete with two other schools, the Beauxbatons and Durmstrang, in a Triwizard Tournament. Harry has his first crush, on Cho Chang. Harry dreams of being a normal 14-year-old wizard, but thanks to the imagination of his creator, JK Rowling, normal is the last thing Harry will ever be.
This fourth book is considered by many to be the best book yet and is sure to leave readers impatiently awaiting the next installation in this wonderful series.
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