Harry Potter

1. A series of books by JK (Joanne Kathleen) Rowling, and widely regarded as the most popular book series in the world. Originally written for children, the series is now read by adults and children alike, and indeed in the UK two editions are published for each book: the 'Children's Edition' and the 'Adults' Edition'; the only difference between the two is the more 'mature' cover on the latter, to make adults less self-conscious reading a children's book. There are currently six main sequence books available in the series, which are, in reading order: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (renamed Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone in the US) Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince The seventh and final book has at the time of writing not been released or named, and is expected around Summer 2007. 2. The protagonist in the aforementioned series, a boy raised by Muggles but actually of wizarding parentage, who is sent to study at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and discovers numerous dark secrets about his past throughout the course of the books. His character evolves significantly through the course of the books, from an innocent but abused young boy with no knowledge of the wizarding world (circa Book 1) to a rebellious teenager who is far more comfortable in the wizarding world than out of it (circa Book 3) to a depressed teenager with the weight of a horrible fate laid upon him (circa Book 5) to a wilful, strong person (although known to exhibit Spiderman Syndrome), determined to face what fate has placed against him (circa Book 6)