We could have been killed-- or worse, never met Harry Potter.

If you’ve only read the versions of J.K. Rowling’s series that were released in the United States, then you might not realize that they’re a little different than the Harry Potter books originally released in the United Kingdom. Since I’ve read and studied both British and American literature, I’ve long had an appreciation for those little differences between the two “languages.”   There are some common differences in spelling, and even punctuation, between British English and American English.   I’ve always enjoyed making these comparisons, so I was very excited when my mother-in-law visited England and began purchasing the British versions for me to read.   I was also happy to share them with my daughter when we first opened Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone .   I think I’ve read that the first book’s title was changed to its American title, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone , so that it would sound more “magical” to American readers.   And, hey, most American

When Hagrid told Harry he was a wizard, it was just like he was saying to me, "Yer a witch, Cordelia." I lived with Harry. Sometimes, I feel like I am part of Harry's story. And, I believe we all are. The transformation of reading Harry Potter took me from Muggle to witch . Reading Harry Potter brings you into the Wizarding World. And, once you've arrived on the Hogwarts Express, there is no chance you will ever want to go back. J.K. Rowling did an amazing thing. She managed to create witches and wizards of all kinds. And, quite a few of them are Harry Potter fans. I started reading Harry Potter at the end of the school year of my second grade year (not to be confused with the second year at Hogwarts). I remember not wanting to read it because everyone was making a big deal about it. (That's how I can be sometimes.) But, my mom read me the first paragraph, and I got hooked. Just like that. "Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, of number four, Privet Drive, were proud

If I could go back and view myself reading (and rereading) Harry Potter, what would I see?   I can’t even be sure how many times I’ve read Rowling’s books. A lot. When I first heard of Harry Potter, the first book had just arrived in America, and everyone was talking about him. I was in my twenties, and I remember thinking, I’m an adult.   Even though I was sure people probably knew what they were talking about, I didn’t think I needed to rush right out and read this children’s book. I think I started reading when the second book came out in America, and of course, I was hooked.   I knew immediately that anyone, any age, could enjoy Harry’s story, not just for the magic of Hogwarts and the wizarding world, but for the love and friendship, the battle of good versus evil, and the coming-of-age experiences that everyone could live through right along with Harry.   I could see myself in Harry, Ron, and Hermione.   It didn’t matter that I was an adult.   Or a Muggle. I ea