What do you love most about the Harry Potter Series?

Roscoe@drizzle.com
What I love about Harry Potter is that the series has gotten children excited about reading. I find nothing special in these books and that's not because I am an adult; I just have read what I think are far better fantasies. But anything that gets kids excited about reading is a good thing; and to find kids lining up at bookstores (though I think the hype and the midnight stuff is pretty over-the-top) is exciting. Maybe they'll go on to read Le Guin and Wynne Jones and L'Engle.

A reader from Hopewell, NJ
There are several things I like about the Harry Potter series. It's great to see Harry, Ron, Hermione, and their classmates growing and changing. The kids, now young adults, consistently show the value of friendship and caring for others as well as how to survive adversity. I love Hogwarts and would love to go to a school like that.

Tami4kids@aol.com
I like that the whole series watches Harry grow and those around him change as well. It is a book for all ages and something that is total fantasy, yet takes you right into the world of "Witchcraft and Wizardry" for a wonderful visit. Unlike many, I think the books are great for kids. They not only enjoy them, they WANT to read them, and they often read them more than once. I know of several children who had to really struggle to read The Goblet of Fire, and worked doubly hard on their reading skills so they would be ready for The Order of the Phoenix, and some teachers offered to buy The Half-Blood Prince for students who increased their reading levels enough during the spring semester! How can that be anything but wonderful!

CHOBENSA@aol.com
Harry transports us to a world of childhood magic that is sadly lacking in the world in which we live. Magic is a wonderful thing!

kathybold@atlanticbb.net
I love J.K. Rowling's style of writing. It is great to get back into the story and the characters. It will be sad to have Book 7 come out, because it will be the end.

MTK12345@aol.com
What I love most is seeing the joy that my son feels during and after reading the books and the fun we have discussing them. He started reading Harry when he was about 10 --- perfect age --- almost the same as Harry. Now my son is 14, and 6 ft. 2 in. tall, and I said this past week that I was going to race him to the door to get my hands on the book first. I was guarded because I thought there was a good chance that he would shrug his shoulders and say, "That's OK" or "I don't care about that anymore." I was so happy --- he said "The race is on." It is now Saturday morning and we're expecting the book to be delivered sometime before 7 PM. He's already awake at 8 AM (he normally sleeps until noon) and he says he's going to camp by the door and wait. Harry has helped to keep a small portion of "the boy" in my young man, who in so many ways is growing up so fast.

Lamb1175@aol.com
What I love about Harry Potter, besides the amount of kids that J.K. Rowling has gotten to read, is the compassion. The friendships are fantastic and the caring for Harry that comes down from the professors, including Snape, really has a moral to it. It is a great "good triumphs over evil" story. Also, it is so well written that both kids and adults love it.

casty@earthlink.net
I love all the wizardry and magic!!!!

DonDragon@aol.com
That it encourages children to read. I am dismayed at adults who rush out to buy it for themselves. I have read excerpts and the writing should strike any intelligent adult as banal, immature, repetitive and unimaginative.

tnakens@charter.net
I am actually working on the fifth book in the series, so I am not as excited as my daughters about the series. The thing that I love most about Harry Potter is what the series has done for literacy. Young people are learning to love reading again!

bluebrd35@yahoo.com
I have always admired Harry Potter for being able to turn bad situations into good ones. He doesn't let them keep him down and beaten. He always rises from the ashes, much like the phoenix, to fight another day. We began reading these books right after my husbands' death and they gave my son and I a chance to bond that we had not previously had.

JCAMP2020@aol.com
When kids are assigned a "book report," most often the librarian hears the question "I need a book to read that's not too long. Any suggestions?" In fact, I see teachers whose assignments include the rule "Must be at least 100 pages." How sad is that!

Then comes along the Harry Potter series and the kids don't care how long the book is --- in fact, the reverse is true: they WANT it long, in order for the enjoyment of the story to last longer. Think back to when you were 10, 11, or 12...when did you read your first really long book? Can you remember the title? Bet you can, because that book taught you not to be "afraid" to pick up a "thick" book.

If you have never read a Harry Potter book, you might want to read one to find out just what would make a 10-year-old pick up an 800+ page book to read during the summer. And then want to discuss the book with their parents and friends!

That's magic!

Jan from Edmonds, WA
While I've seen each of the movies I've only "read" The Sorcerer's Stone by listening to it on CD. The best part for me is the reader's voice, his English accent. It's so much fun to just fall into the rhythm of the story, especially in the middle of the night when I need to fall asleep.

MAX125@aol.com
The author's imagination...

melmee@cox-internet.com
What I love most about Harry Potter are the detailed descriptions of characters and settings, and the twists and turns of the plots that leave you begging for the next book...

liebes@nvdpl.ca
What I love most about the Harry Potter series (and there is so much to love) is his relationship with his dead parents. As someone whose mother died giving birth to me, I recognize the deep longing in Harry to know his parents as being truly real --- an intensity that only someone who has experienced this feeling can know. Yesterday I read on the J.K. Rowling home site about the death of her mother, from which this impassioned writing stems. It is a loneliness and longing that no one else, no matter how well-intentioned, can fill --- the need to know as much as possible about the parent(s) who gave you life!

info@sky-bolt.com
J. K. Rowling has enticed kids to read without talking down to them. Harry Potter fans will be looking for more good books to read. One would hope that the publishing industry will respond by taking chances on other unknown authors with original or offbeat stories to tell.

LadyHawke1043@aol.com
I love the fertile imagination of J.K. Rowling and the fantasy she has spun. I must admit I found the earlier books the most enjoyable, with the children being younger, and the fun more lighthearted. I have the newest book and will read it soon; the last book was dark and brooding but I still enjoyed the story. However, I am an adult and grandmother. I'm not sure I will want to read this one or the last one to my little ones.

Jaretzlaff@aol.com
They make great audiobooks to listen to!!

cummings112@cableone.net
What I love most about the Harry Potter series is the fantastical details that make the world of Hogwarts come alive. I also love the way Rowling grabs the reader and doesn't let go --- the plots move along nicely. Finally, I love the way the books have encouraged people of all ages to read and enjoy reading and talking about books with other readers (something I've always enjoyed, but is relatively new to many).

ksw623@email.wintu.edu
How they excite both children and adults. I have been a part of some great discussions with adults and children both offering opinions.

CndlAngl@aol.com
The vivid details, the characters, Hogwarts, the creatures. The books are well written, with attention to detail and wonderful vocabulary.

lket@johnroberts.com
J. K. Rowling has really captured personal interaction between her characters and has portrayed them very accurately. It makes you care about the characters and about what is going to happen to them next. She has also written her books so that they appeal to readers of all ages.

KKeyse@ToxicTorts.com
The characters. All of them, even the ones you love to hate, like Snape.

Skyboxlife@aol.com
I enjoy the knowledge that J.K. Rowling was able to take a very minimal amount of violence and weave together a story line that separated the generation gaps of society. No matter where on Earth you are there is a continued interest in this series of books, no matter your age, or race, or income. Maybe she should write a new series on Peace in our World.

koolnerdygrl@yahoo.com
What's not to love? Everything about these books is great. The books are so well written and so witty without trying too hard or being over the top. I am not ashamed to admit that this series tops the list of my favorite books, and I read a lot!

debbie.winn@verizon.net
The thing I love most about the Harry Potter books is the way J.K. Rowling uses language and words. The word play she uses makes the stories more fun. She uses language to paint the pictures of her stories like an artist uses a paint brush. There is finesse, bold strokes and subtlety as needed to get the story across. Children reading her books are getting an excellent example of creative writing at its best.

EZREADER1265@aol.com
I enjoy the writing, the characters and the flow of the books. I enjoy the way the characters grow and develop in each book. Nothing is stagnant. Who could resist Hagrid and his creatures?

Conwarn@aol.com
The whole series has been a wonderful change of pace. I always respect an author who can create a society or culture, if you prefer, and that is what Rowling has accomplished. The success of the Potter movies attests to that also. I feel the same way about the "Ring" books and the "Dune" series.

GandmaRI@aol.com
I love the hype of release. The "swarming" at the bookstores. The ability to get both children and adults reading. I love it that a "welfare queen" really can make it big in the world. I love how the book piques the imagination. All in all, I love the prolific writing and the wonderfully filled-out characters.

KateDonely@aol.com
Hermoine, Ron and Harry are all different kids. In a regular school they are the outcasts. Harry Potter shows these regular kids that they can have interesting and rewarding lives. Added to that is the adventure we all dream about.

ATESSL@aol.com
What I love most about Harry Potter is that each book's arrival has kids and adults really excited about books and reading. When else have you heard kids eagerly awaiting a BOOK? When else have you had kids sitting down to read something as soon as it comes out and eager to see who can read it first?

lindakt@gra.midco.net
The best thing about the Harry Potter books is that they created an upcoming generation of kids that are now reading again, not just Harry Potter, but they are reaching out for other reading experiences now that they have found the pure enjoyment of reading again. For myself, I find them great adult reading and fun to go back to the kind of books I read in my youth. Adults can also enjoy writing aimed at the younger generation and enjoy along with them. They are fun and the quality of writing will hook anyone.

dvolkenannt@charter.net
The thing I love most about the Harry Potter series is that I can have interesting conversations with my teenage niece and my ten-year-old granddaughter about the series.

shirlbiccum@comcast.net
Getting millions of kids and adults reading a 700-plus page book and waiting anxiously for the next book by the author has to be the best thing about Harry Potter after the great stories.

sharshop@sbcglobal.net
The characters are so engaging. Each book keeps you in suspense for the next in the series. Makes me wish I could write such entertaining books myself.

susanreading@tds.net
What I like most about the books are the rich language and exciting twists. It is absolutely wonderful that this story has brought together families, inspired better writing from other authors, and made reading and book discussions coveted activities.

I think it's just excellent that we're watching a collection of stories become a classic that will last through the years. Bravo, Ms. Rowling!

Catslady5@aol.com
So many different reasons. It's fun to be reading something that almost everyone all over the world is reading at the same time. It's a book that intrigues little kids as much as adults. It's new and exciting and you fall in love with the characters. It's just one of those series that comes along so rarely.

carolyn333@juno.com
I like the Harry Potter series because of its imagination. It's fun. It keeps children reading. It is also a lot of fun for adults too. You can relate to Harry Potter on a number of things. The characters are great. It also deals with serious issues as well.

manada@insightbb.com
The story itself is worth reading, the writing is excellent, the plot moves along at a good clip, but the best thing is discussing the newest book with other people. I like discussing books as much as I like reading them, and I'm never at a loss to find a Harry Potter fan who wants to chat!

dduwe@atsks.com
I think the strongest thing in the book is the friendships between Harry, Ron and Hermione, as well as their loyalty to Hagrid.

Frantik220@aol.com
This is a series that is not just for kids. I've already finished The Half-Blood Prince and I loved it! The books are full of interesting characters and storylines and always focus on the importance of friendship, family, loyalty and trust, good over evil. All the magic is intriguing and makes me wish I could have gone to Hogwarts!

RothAd@ci.akron.oh.us
I love the fact that Harry is a flawed hero. He has doubts, he has teenage angst, he can even be a bit of a pain in the rear when he's mad. That gives us mere mortals a bit of a chance to someday also be a hero.

TangleOaksInfo@aol.com
Initially, it's a wonderful example of Good/Bad, Right/Wrong, Creativity/Inspiration/Compassion, and most of all Love and Hate; the greatest of these and the basic premise of the series, LOVE!

The second reason (as a grandparent/reader talking!!!) is the incentive for the younger kids to read! It is amazing how this series has led several generations back to the Library and Bookstores! My grandson picked up my "ticket on the Hogwarts Express" at midnight:01 when the book was first officially released.

Bravos to J.K. Rowling for fulfilling a personal dream, proving that one can overcome adversity. Her use of her own knowledge of history increasing the basics for more information on a number of levels. Lots to learn from here in addition to Harry!

Dallas's season-ender shooting of J. R. Ewing is dull compared to each book in this series! My favorite book is always the one I have just finished. However, the 6th in the series has left me wondering when the last book will come out. Excuse me, I have to get started on the reread...might have missed something important!