Harry Potter Series

The British author J. K. Rowling wrote the first Harry Potter novel in June of 1997. The instant success of this first book led to a Harry Potter series including seven novels. The names of these novels (As well as the movie films) are:

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Sorcerer's Stone - U.S. Retitled))
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

The Harry Potter fantasy series follows the life of a young wizard boy named Harry Potter whose parents were killed at an early age by an evil wizard named Lord Voldemort. Due to a protection spell by Harry's mother, during this encounter Harry Potter was left with a lightningbolt scar on his head when Voldemort attempted to take his life. The failed attempt destroyed the evil Wizard's power and sent him into hiding for some time.

The story begins with Harry's childhood upbringing by a Muggle family (non-magical family) who is completely unaware of the magic world they live side-by-side to. Harry is then recruited to go to the wizarding school called Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

The main theme and plotline of the stories takes place at this magical school where Harry will learn to become a wizard. Each of the seven books follow his experience during one year at the school. This setting presents plenty of opportunities to learn about the world J. K. Rowling has created as Harry learns the most basic spells to he most sophisticated. Each class that Harry takes and the wizard/witch friends and enemies he makes fills the imagination.

Harry Potter finds himself dealing with fame for defeating an evil wizard in a world he knew nothing about. Dangers arise from those that supported that evil wizard that wish to bring their power back. Professor Dumbledore, the headmaster of the school, helps protect Harry from these dangers, though many of them Harry finds he must face himself.

Commercial Success

Harry Potter has successfully won the hearts and minds of millions of followers and has sold over 400 Million copies of the novels. Warner Brothers has since picked up the books for movie production with similar success in the theaters. These successes show the interest in such science fictions and have inspired many new novels and movies with similar themes and plots. More imagination rich wizarding stories are sure to continue to enter the market well into the future.