What we have witnessed is an almost magical response to the release of the fourth novel in the series: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Although book stores and the media attracted the attention of children of all ages before this newest release, it is the enchanting tale itself that has led our children away from the electronic retreats to which they are accustomed and off into another realm. However, in contrast to the original pied piper, Harry is a benevolent wizard whose tales have not only enraptured young and old alike, but have also produced a number of unanticipated benefits.

First and foremost these flights of fantasy have sparked a revolutionary resurgence in the popularity of reading. This latest book is 734 pages long and readers are having difficulty putting it down. Countless children are clamoring to read this novel to the exclusion of most other activities. In Forest Grove parents have commented that children previously begging for typical summer amusements, suddenly were content to sit in their rooms for days on end – simply reading. Some congregated together in impromptu Potter parties where reading and discussing the book were the sum total of activities, even asking parents to keep it quiet so they could read. On vacation in Rocky Mountain National Park and preparing for a backpacking trip of many days, my 9-year-old son asked if he could hike carrying the three-pound book so he could read it in the tent. Reading is now cool and Harry has been the catalyst of this transformation. In the last month discussion of the Pokemon cards or the new film has dissolved, Star Wars has faded into the past, even hip new music and other typical childhood diversions have lost their luster.

These are good things. Parents love to see their children curled up with a good book, and in this age of rapid fire video effects and 30 second attention spans, to see our children concentrating across hundreds of pages of text is gratifying. To see them devouring polysyllabic words and reveling in phantasmagoric imagery is satisfying. To hear them discussing hypotheses with their friends concerning plot twists of a book instead of a movie or video game is a wonderful throwback.

This transmogrification of reading into a trendy activity has generated ripple effects well beyond these four novels. There has been a corresponding rise in the popularity of many other books in the fantasy genre. Children are rediscovering Oz and Narnia, as well as exploring the new worlds of more contemporary authors. One of the reasons for these concomitant effects on reading in general is the craft of Potter’s progenitor, J. K. Rowling. These novels are well written and are providing children with reading that is exciting, challenging, and imaginative. This experience with captivating literature has generated a hunger for more, and until the next book is released many months from now, young readers are seeking to sate this new found appetite by devouring other literary fare. And so are their parents.

Adults also appear to be entranced by this series and it is no wonder. These books are well crafted, recognize the audience for whom they are written, respect the structure of the genre, and are thoroughly enjoyable. I found myself drawn inexorably from chapter to chapter by the lure of further insight into the exploits of our hero and the impending wrath of his nemesis ("he who must not be named"). Librarians, graduate students of children’s literature, and adults of all ages have responded to the timeless quality of the conflicts of good and evil, innocence and immorality. And that is what makes these volumes powerful. Before we realize what is happening, we have set off along the path following the piper, unable or unwilling to put down the book and face the banality of our Muggle existence.

Teachers are excited about the educational ramifications of this book. While students may be motivated to start this series for reasons of peer pressure or marketing hype, once they get into it they don’t want to put it down. They discover the power of prose to take them on a heart-pounding ride on a racing broom, to face giant fire-spewing crustaceans, and to describe the touching camaraderie between school buddies. They have tapped into the joy of reading and are ready for more. The books are filled with stimulating vocabulary and wonderful ideas that foster linguistic development and promote creativity. Traditionally it is hard for teachers to engage their students in spirited discussions of plot, theme, characterization, etc., however I have already heard children engrossed in lengthy book discussions analyzing these literary elements out of their love of the series and its characters. Children are excited about reading, and reading long books is now cool.

As with many of the media events of our time, there is controversy surrounding Rowling’s series. Small groups of parents have expressed concern about some of the themes of magic and sorcery and have sought to ban the books from schools. Their concern is over the casting of spells, discussions of killing, and a perceived promotion of the occult. What is being misunderstood is the role these elements play in literature of this nature. Classical children’s literature has frequently dealt with magic and fantasy: it is a fascinating and compelling topic for children of a wide range of ages. The Chronicles of Narnia, The Lord of the Rings and The Wizard of Oz: these wonderful examples of fantasy involved transformation, spells, and even the death of evil elements by the hand of the hero. Children who are old enough to read the Harry Potter series are probably ready for the issues it raises. However, parents should discuss the books with their children if they feel that these issues are developmentally challenging.

The ramifications of Rowling’s writing have also been felt throughout the literary world. This is the most successful series of children’s books ever: 30 million copies of the first three books have already been sold. In the past three years Rowling has gone from a life of poverty to being the third wealthiest woman in Britain and this has not gone unnoticed by authors and publishers throughout the industry. Many feel that this series has breathed new life into an "entertainment" genre that was having trouble competing with its multimedia counterparts. Its popularity has even effected the manner in which The New York Times tracks book sales. On one recent week, the three hardcover editions of the novels and a paperback version of the first book simultaneously resided in the top spots of The New York Times best seller list. This prompted the paper to create an entirely new category for best selling children’s books. Guess who currently tops that list? In the first week of August these four books also held the top four spots in Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble book sales. The economic success of this book will have the effect of bringing more money into the children’s literature industry, and it could also help to encourage more writers to try their hand in this genre. This too is a good thing.

This series is already a classic and deserves the accolades it is receiving. Appealing to adults and children alike, encouraging reading and literary discussion, and turning the publishing industry on its ear, this series has set new standards for promoting children’s literature and literacy. And the level of excitement is still building. The next volume in the series is already being written, the movie of the first book is currently in preproduction, and rumor has it that there are even discussions of adding Quidditch as a 2004 Olympic sport. So if you are one of the few who has yet to allow yourself the pleasure of reading these books, you are missing a treat. Find a quiet spot, curl up with Harry, Ron, and Hermione and let yourself be taken away. Just be prepared to be gone for a while.