Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part II opened to a record-breaking midnight show, and I want to share why the end of this series saddens my heart.
Do you see this picture? This picture is of me and a complete stranger. Yep, I have no idea who this girl is, but I can tell you one thing: she loves Harry Potter. Look at that costume! Look at the detail, the time it took her to create, build, and wear it.
There is something about the Harry Potter series that has not been seen before and may not be seen again in my lifetime. There is heart and soul found not just on the pages of the books but also with the fans. I have attended several midnight release parties for this novel, and the creativity, the time, the heart, the energy that fills the air is only experienced at these release parties. It's why I go - to see all of this over a book series is just as magical as the books themselves.
This is the reason I am so sadden to see it come to an end. I loved the books, I loved the films, but I LOVE the excitement that the two create. And I LOVE that Harry Potter has allowed me to connect not only with my cousin but also with my students. There is no better feeling than connecting over a book, much less a series such as this, especially at midnight when we all should be tucked safely in our beds. Instead, we are celebrating our passion for reading...even if we look a bit unorthodox while doing it.
There will be other books; there will be other series; but will they match the magic that this particular series has conjured? That is the question.
These two questions I pose to you.
These two questions I pose to you.
What does this mean for the generation who grew up with Harry and company, who grew up attending book release parties and midnight movie premieres? What happens next for these readers?
