The Harry Potter Saga
By: Nicole Shalit

In 1997 the first book “Harry Potter And The Sorcerer’s Stone” hit the US book shelves. Since the release of the first Harry Potter book, JK Rowling has become a world renowned writer. In August of 2007 she released the final chapter in the Harry Potter saga, Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows. On August 20, 2007 book stores around the world held “Harry Potter Parties”, where people were free to dress up as their favorite characters. To pass the time away, there were all sorts of games and prizes. At 12:01 AM on the 21st the book was released and those in line were among the first to receive the books. People around the world reported that by that time the next morning they had already finished the entire book which consisted of 759, including a six page epilogue. To date there are seven books, and five movies, the fifth movie is set to be released on DVD December 11, 2007, just in time for the winter holidays. The final two movies are also in the works. The sixth movie is said to already be in production, and the last movie is scheduled for an early 2010 release. Harry Potter has made such a big impact on the world; there are even books about it. Imagine, books written about books. Among these books, are many topics which include “Snape Friend or Foe”, and “What will happen in book 7”. Below is a graph of the sales of each book before the seventh was released. The Maroon is the hard cover books, and the purple is the paperback books.

A rare set of these whole Harry Potter series is now being auctioned on Ebay. Each book in the set is personally signed by JK Rowling herself. This set is so valuable, that until the auction is won, they are being kept in the Aberdeenshire police station. The books are going to be raising money for the aid of a local charity which supplies books for children in 80 counties. The set is expected to raise at least £20,000, although many feel they will raise quite a bit more.

In addition to these special books, JK Rowling has been keeping herself busy preparing for her book tour, Bellow is an up to date list of the school participating in the tour.

Edward Bush School – Brooklyn Teunis G. Bergen School – Brooklyn Weeksville School – Brooklyn Pacific School – Brooklyn The Upper Carroll School – Brooklyn Acorn High School for Social Justice – Brooklyn Acorn Community High School – Brooklyn Enterprise, Business and Technology High School – Brooklyn Brooklyn Academy High School – Brooklyn Progress High School – Brooklyn The Sidney Silverstein, Little Sparrow School – Bronx Jonas Bronck Academy – Bronx New Millennium Business Academy – Bronx J.H. 080 The Mosholu Parkway – Bronx New School for Arts and Science – Bronx Academy for Careers in Sports – Bronx The Celia Cruz Bronx High School of Music – Bronx Monroe Academy for Visual Arts – Bronx P.S. 347 American Sign Language & English Lower School – Manhattan East Village Community School – Manhattan

The Lillian Weber School – Manhattan School for Academic and Athletic Excellence – Manhattan Technology, Arts and Sciences Studio – Manhattan University Neighborhood Middle School – Manhattan West Side Collaborative – Manhattan Clinton School for Writers and Artists – Manhattan Dual Language Middle School – Manhattan Leadership/Public Service High School – Manhattan Legacy School for Integrated Studies – Manhattan Landmark High School – Manhattan The Robert F. Wagner Jr. School – Queens Parsons School – Queens Springfield Gardens School – Queens I.S. 237 – Queens Daniel Carter Beard School – Queens High School for Arts and Business – Queens Middle College High School at LaGuardia Community College – Queens Huguenot School – Staten Island Anning S. Prall School – Staten Island Concord High School – Staten Island

For a breakdown of the books, here’s a brief synopsis for each.

Book 1: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.

Harry finds out he is a wizard and starts attending Hogwarts which is a boarding school for witches and wizards. While he is in his first year, he finds out how about Lord Voldemort, or “he who must not be named”, the dark wizard who killed his parents, but somehow couldn’t manage to kill a one year old Harry. Being the only person ever to escape Lord Voldemorts killing curse, he is an instant celebrity. As if all the fame isn’t enough, he finds himself face to face with the dark lord again; can he save the school, the ones he loves, and the whole wizarding world? Pick up book 1 to find out.

Book 2: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Forced to go back to the Dursley’s for a whole four weeks in the summer, Harry is forced to break all ties with the wizarding world. Finally, he escapes back to the world he belongs to, and begins his second year. Still dealing with the “that’s the famous boy” looks, he takes comfort in getting away with Ron and Hermione under his special cloak. Harry is met with much more problems than his end of year exams, as they chamber of secrets is suddenly open and the attacks begin. Can Harry find out who is really behind opening the chamber and what terrors lie beyond? You’ll have to read book 2 find out.

Book 3: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

As Harry is yet again forced back to the Dursleys, he finds himself on the run for underage magic. He meets some unusual people on his way to the Burrow, and discovers a mad killer is on the loose. Sirius Black, who was thrown in Azkaban (wizard prison) for aiding in Harry’s parents murder, mysteriously escapes making him the only person to be able to escape the dementors. As his third year takes off, he has not only has to deal with a new teacher predicting his death every day, fights, danger, and secrets are just around the corner. Old friend’s reunite and new bonds are made. Can Harry pass his exams, and stay alive long enough to see that Sirius is back in Azkaban? Books 3 will answer your questions.

Book 4: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Harry is picked up from the Dursley’s by the Weasley’s who take him to the Quidditch world final. As they are sleeping after the event, there are signs of dark wizards, and they are forced into hiding. Finally, they get to Hogwarts for their fourth year, only to find the Quidditch season is being replaced by a new and exciting tournament involving two other schools. Harry, being under age and not allowed to enter the competition, finds his name somehow submitted. Can he get through is classes, and face the dangers involved in the tasks? Read book 4 for more information.

Book 5: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Harry escapes from the Dursley’s with the Order of the Phoenix, a secret society of wizards who are convinced Voldemort is at large. After being faced to face with him at the end of his fourth year, Harry warns the ministry, who doesn’t want to believe anything is happening. As young Harry yet again finds himself battling the dark arts, he also forms new friendships, attends his fifth year, finds strengths in people no one else saw, and is forced to listen to people saying he is lying about Voldemort. Can he escape the death eaters, and live the events that will change his life forever? Read book 5 for more information.

Book 6: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

After yet another summer at the Dursley’s, Harry returns to Hogwarts with Ron and Hermione for their sixth year. As Harry finds a used school book with helpful hints in the side notes, he gets into some detective work to find the previous owner who calls himself “the half blood prince”. Aside from this task, Dumbledore also starts training Harry for what he feels will lie ahead for him. Can he pass this year, find the half blood prince, and find the clues to Voldemorts hiding place while he yet again endures life changing experiences? Find out in book 6

Book 7: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

As the war against the dark wizards, and the order climaxes, Ron Harry and Hermione set out to follow clues Dumbledore lays out for them. Can they escape the dementors, death eaters, and save the world from the havoc that is about to break loose at Hogwarts? Read the final chapter of the Harry Potter saga to find out.