by Jennifer Walker

Created on: July 30, 2009

When JK Rowling sat down and started writing her stories about the boy wizard Harry Potter, she probably had no idea what a sensation her books would become. The Harry Potter books are read throughout the world by children and adults alike. In addition to the seven books and accompanying movies, she has benefited from extensive merchandising, raising her to the status of the UK's richest woman in 2003. Many writers wonder if they will be the next J.K. Rowling, but does she deserve this acclaim?

Rowling unwittingly stumbled upon the magic formula that every writer hopes to find: she wrote a story that makes people beg for more, stories that have appeal across all gender, age and social boundaries. A peek inside a movie theater where a Harry Potter movie is playing will show you people of all ages and races. They are all united in their love of one young boy and his friends in a fight against evil.

In addition to choosing the right story and cast of characters, Rowling did something else very right: she wrote them well. The quality of writing itself is excellent, and her ability to tell a story draws her readers in and holds them. Many a reader has stayed up until the wee hours of the morning to read "just a little more" or find out if Harry will prevail over Voldemort this time.

Part of the charm of Harry Potter is that in addition to the main story line of fighting to keep the bad buys from succeeding, there are several charming side plots. The children grow up through the course of the novels, learning to deal with more and more adult stuff like love and using adult privileges responsibly. However, this is all done subtly, without hitting the reader over the head with a moral message.

Thanks to the subject matter of magic, Rowling has come under fire from extremist religions, denouncing her and her books as satanic. However, this criticism seems to come mainly from people who have not read the books, but make assumptions based on synopses they have read. In reading the books, it is clear that the wizards on the "good" side are not consorting with demons to perform their craft. In fact, they are using their powers to fight evil.

While J. K. Rowling may never be considered in the same league as Hemmingway, Fitzgerald and the like, she has certainly proven herself to be a masterful story teller and an excellent writer. She deserves all the acclaim that has come her way-and then some.

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