Harry Potter series

Story

Harry Potter is an ordinary boy, an orphan, living a miserable life with his cruel uncle, aunt and cousin, until he discovers on his 11th birthday that he is a wizard and must go to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to study magic.

The seven-book series follows Harry and his best friends, Ron and Hermione, through seven years at the school. Through a sequence of challenges, heartbreaks and perilous encounters with the evil Voldemort, Harry gradually learns who he is and why he is the Chosen One who must save the wizarding world.

Why we chose it

This is one of the most famous children’s book series. These school stories explore universal challenges of growing up and have introduced readers to mythical creatures, spells and magical devices that can be traced back through fantasy literature to ancient myths and legends.

What a young reviewer said

I like Harry Potter because it takes me into another world, full of magic and dangerous situations. As soon as you pick it up you can’t put it down. (Olivia, Josephine and Laura)

First published

1997, Bloomsbury, London, UK