The World Of The Boy Who Lived

Since the June 30, 1997 release of the first novel Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, retitled Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone in the United States, the books have gained immense popularity, critical acclaim and commercial success worldwide. The series has also had some share of criticism, including concern for the increasingly dark tone, and the later books, such as Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, may be less suitable for younger children. As of June 2008, the book series has sold more than 400 million copies and has been translated into 67 languages, and the last four books have consecutively set records as the fastest-selling books in history.


A series of many genres, including fantasy and coming of age, it has many cultural meanings and references. According to Rowling, the main theme is death, which has led to much criticism, as it is primarily considered to be a work of children’s literature. There are also many other themes in the series, such as love and prejudice.


English-language versions of the books are published by Bloomsbury in the United Kingdom, Scholastic Press in the United States, Allen & Unwin in Australia, and Raincoast Books in Canada. Through 2010, the first six books have been made into films by Warner Brothers, which is the highest grossing film series of all time so far. The seventh book is being made into two movies which are currently scheduled to be released nearly eight months apart: Part I in November 2010 and the series finale in July 2011. The series also originated much tie-in merchandise, making the Harry Potter brand worth £15 billion.

Books
magical words penned by a talented author

Characters
the ins and outs of the wizarding community

Merchandise
Buy your very own little bit of Harry