by Alexis Whaley

Created on: August 04, 2009

People love adventure. In each Harry Potter book, Harry and his friends are challenged by a problem that must be solved, either in order to survive, or to save someone or something they love, such as their friends and family, Hogwarts, or Hagrid's job, for example. Each adventure is different from the one before and they become more and more challenging as Harry grows up and his wizarding skills improve. The suspense of whether or not he and his friends will overcome the challenge, and how they will do it, is exciting for them and for the reader. The reader is pulled into the action in breathtaking speed and must keep turning the pages to see what will happen next.

The characters are fresh, real, and identifiable. With three main characters, Harry, Ron, and Hermione, there is someone who just about everyone can relate to. Each character has a hand in helping Harry in a significant way, and the reader feels connected to the action by identifying with the character. And, if a reader does not identify with one of the main characters, there are plenty of other characters, many who also play important roles in the action, to become attached to.

Harry himself. Almost every person alive understands how it feels to be alone, left out, and rejected. Harry is an orphan who lives with a family who hates him for most of his childhood. Love has been elusive for him until he discovers his wizarding abilities, goes to Hogwarts, and makes true friends. This makes him sympathetic, and because he has a good heart, beloved. Even if a reader does not identify with him, they have positive feelings about him and want to see him grow up and succeed.

Because readers care so deeply about the characters, the perils they face evoke real emotions of fear, dread, excitement, longing, loneliness, and ultimately happiness when Harry and his friends overcome their challenge. The adventures become not just words on a page, but a story that unfolds in the reader's mind.

Rowling's vivid descriptions create an original world that is at once imaginative, but also feels very real. There are many details that are new, endearing, and fun: the way into the wizard world at the train station, the talking paintings in Hogwarts, the interesting plants and creatures, flying brooms, Quidditch, butter beer, the house elves, and on and on. Everything in the world makes sense within it and new elements are introduced in each book.

Reading a Harry Potter book is like taking a trip into this fabulous, entertaining world, alongside your friend Harry, and experiencing it in your own life.

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