Sunday, January 10, 2016

MMGM: WHY I LOVE HARRY POTTER

Middle Grade Monday is a weekly collection of blog posts assembled by author Shannon Messenger. For a complete list of posts, visit Shannon's blog HERE.
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It's hard to believe that it's been 19 years since HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S (or Philosopher's) STONE was first published in 1997. My oldest daughter was not quite four years old. My oldest son had just been born. It would be several more years before I would snuggle up with my daughter to read it to her, and a couple years after that before I'd read it to my son.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Harry Potter Series #1)

I hate to admit it, but until 2015, I had only ever read book I and most of book V in the series (I had to read book V as assigned reading in my graduate children's lit class). However, I was a devoted fan of the movies since the moment THE SORCERER'S STONE came out in theaters in 2001. Every year since then, my kids and I have held our annul Harry Potter Fest, complete with watching all the films over the course of several days, eating tons of popcorn and candy, and wearing all the Harry Potter stuff we can get our hands on.

When I finally introduced my youngest (of 5) child to Harry Potter a little over a year ago (he had just turned 7 and was finally old enough to handle it), he and I watched all 8 movies. And we started reading THE SORCERER'S STONE every night at bedtime. Over the course of the past year, we have also read THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS and THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN. We started THE GOBLET OF FIRE on New Year's Day.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Harry Potter Series #2)
It is pretty amazing to think that Harry Potter is delighting a whole new generation of readers (and viewers). His story is as entertaining and complex and imaginative today as it was 19 years ago, and I predict it will continue to inspire young (and old) fans for many generations to come, in the tradition that THE LORD OF THE RINGS and the Narnia series have. I suppose that is the true test of greatness when it comes to literature. Will the stories be as loved and cherished by succeeding generations as they were by the first? Will kids who love them grow up and hand them to their own kids and grand kids and say, "You have to read this! You'll love it!"


Harry Potter is that kind of story for me. I love reading them to my kids, and I've already decided that when I start having grand kids, I plan to gift each a set of Harry Potter books the moment they are old enough to read.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Harry Potter Series #3)

Why do I love Harry Potter so much? Because Harry could be anyone of us. He is, on the outside, rather ordinary. He's not much different than most other kids his age. And yet he is extraordinary, just like each of us deep down long to be extraordinary too. Harry keeps our dreams alive. And, quite simply, Harry's stories are plain old fun and unforgettable.

I've noticed that my paperbacks are getting rather worn out. I've decided it is time to replace them with hardcovers, something that might stand a chance at lasting as long as my love for Harry Potter will.

12 comments:

  1. Yes on everything you said about why we love Harry. And I am now sharing the love with my grandkids and know you will love it just as much as I do. Course there is those weird moments of "has that much time gone by already?!?".

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    1. I know! When I realize how old Harry Potter really is, I start to feel old! Except reading HP keeps me feeling young! Does that make sense?

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  2. Harry is responsible for many late nights with kids pleading their parents for just one more chapter. The series did so much for getting children interested in reading. Thanks for the memorable post.

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    1. Thank you, Greg, for always taking the time to stop my blog. I really appreciate your comments.

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  3. My girls grew up with Harry and the stories infused their play for many years (backyard potions class, spellbooks, wizard school). It also shaped their thinking about what they like to read. They have read the books many, many times and have memorized every detail! We too do Harry Potter movie marathons.

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  4. Is it just me? I've never come under the Harry Potter spell, even after reading books I--IV. I liked them but never was bowled over like the rest of the world. Maybe I should read # V and see if I change my mind.

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    1. Actually, #5 is where things start to get really down and gritty. I love the way the whole series wraps up. Rowling was totally brilliant!

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  5. Harry certainly sparked many reluctant readers to read! Since the publication of the books, I'm amazed at the boom in magical and dystopian MG novels. I read them and re-read them again before the next book came out. I think books I-IV were magical. When Voldemort returns books V -VII grew increasingly dark. I think the series is brilliant.

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  6. My daughters and my grandson love these books. I only read the first one and just never got to the rest. Maybe someday. Thanks for sharing your love of the books.

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  7. I love this series! Harry Potter fest sounds like lots of fun!

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