When I was ten or eleven years old, I was given a three book series entitled Harry Potter. They included: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Little did I know that over a decade later, they would still affect me the way they did back in my days as a fourth grader. As a true member of the Potter Generation I know that I am not alone in this obsession. It's this magical notion that there is something greater out there and lets us escape and imagine what it would be like to receive our letter from Hogwarts and be told "Yer a Wizard" (don't lie, you read that in Hagrid's voice). Personally, I've read the first four books around five times and the entire series twice, it just never gets old to me. With each time through there are certain things that I have forgotten and come back to me with incredible clarity. As well as characters whom didn't make the cut for the movie, but still add their own special touch to the journey of Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Another thing that I've come to realize as an adult, besides the fact that what these wizard fifth graders accomplish is mind blowing, is the amount of comradery that takes place. Harry Potter is about friendship, loyalty, love, and the incredible things you can accomplish if you surround yourself with positive friends and family. Books that grow with you are the best books out there. Ones that you can relate to your life not only as a small child but as a teen, adult, parent, lover, and friend. So for all of you out there who have also grown up knowing and loving J.K. Rowling's stories, I commend you. For those of you who have not, pick up a book and see the kind of magic you have been missing. And for those who have seen the movies but have never read the books......you should be shunned. I mean seriously? You call yourself a Potterhead? Please.
----Mischief Managed
