By: Erin Andary

   One day in 1990, on a crowded train ride back from Manchester to London, the idea of a young boy who didn’t know he was a wizard named Harry Potter, fell into the head of school teacher Joanne (J.K.) Rowling, soon to be the most successful book series in the world and the first writer to become a billionaire.

   Taking six years, in 1996, Rowling finally finished the first book, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. She was rejected by nine different publishers before London’s Bloomsbury Publishing signed her on and published the first of the seven books in 1997. I think it’s safe to say that these books are more than just popular…the fifth book, the Order of the Phoenix demolished the record for first-day sales by a book (previously set by the forth of the Harry Potter books, the Goblet of Fire) selling 1.8 million copies just in the United Kingdom.

  This hugely successful phenomenon has created life-long fans, myself included. With seven books, all ranging from 300 pages to over 800 pages, eight movies, and a theme park devoted to Harry Potter, it is easy to see just how much people love this series.

   “I love that it’s a whole different world to imagine and get lost in,” says senior, Tristan Pope, “It’s so exciting and I can spend hours reading it over and over again.” she said.

   “Harry Potter teaches kids to never give up hope, even in the darkest of situations,” Amy Golden, senior, said. “It gives a whole generation the courage to follow their dreams.”

    As we follow Harry through the series, he is always fighting. Whether it’s against the Death Eaters and Lord Voldemort, trying to keep up with his grades, or just trying to survive summer living with his horrid aunt, uncle, and snotty cousin, he never gives up. “I love the life lessons and wisdom that comes from Dumbledore,” Said senior, Allison Abendroth.

“It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live,” said by Dumbledore, the headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

   Nearly twenty years later, the Harry Potter series is one of the most beloved series for both children and adults and is soon coming to an end. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part One of the epic finale is coming to theaters Friday, November 19.