The year when Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling came out, was the same year my son was born. I heard bits and pieces about it here and there. On the news, from teachers and in-laws over the next couple of years. It didn’t really interest me because my son was way too young, but it seemed that I kept getting asked my opinion of the book, then turning into a series. I honestly replied that I had no opinion, because I had not read it.

When my sister-in-law asked me, I thought, I better read this book(s). I felt I had a need to be able to say something about it. She, of course, wanted my opinion if it was some sort of “bad” or “evil” book(s). I believe this was after book Year 2 came out. I vaguely remember something about book burning in the news. (I was raised that books were scared and any kind of book burning stories appalled me.) So, I borrowed a copy from a teacher friend of mine and got busy reading.

What I found, especially after reading all 7 years (that’s all 7 books), is a classic story about good versus evil. There are no recipes for spells that will do bad things, or good things for that matter. Sure they say “magic” words, but hey, it’s about about wizards. I think you need to read a little deeper and see the ties of friendship, love,  and how things are not always as they seem.

And for those that say, hey if this was real, that Harry boy would be really messed up in the head. Guess what, it’s a fiction book – it doesn’t matter.

Now my sister doesn’t like it to the pure fact that she doesn’t like the writing style. Granted it’s no Pride and Prejudice, but guess what, it’s wildly popular. And guess what, it didn’t stop her from seeing the movies.

I can proudly say that I have all 7 books, plus the Beetle Bard at my house. And I enjoyed reading them, more than once. And my son got into reading them a few years ago. If a book gets a child into reading (as this series did for my previous non-reading nephew), I have to give it credit.