Dear J.K. Rowling,
So much of my work can be credited to you...whatever the subject, whatever it's about. Your books were a turning point in my life. I first read the Harry Potter series in 6th grade, only two years ago, and I fell in love. I remember as a 4th/5th grader. I thought everyone was crazy for loving those “nerdy” books about magic, but I honestly had nothing to judge it about. My friends were the biggest motivation for me to start reading the books and I tried reading your first book of the series, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. At first I sped through it, trying to prove my friends wrong to show that I still didn't like them. I didn't understand it or take the time to try. So... I quit reading the series. One of the biggest mistakes of my life. Again, in 6th grade, I made my own decision to read the series again. I don't know what type of mystical force possessed me to, but I have to say that I'm grateful it did. Now I know to not question magic.
Initially, the first book (the second time around) got me emotional. The story of a little boy being so mistreated was heartbreaking. That was the first exposure I'd had to that kind of tragedy. I'd always been stuck in that sort of safe bubble of innocence, but even though the story was fiction, I realized that was actually something that happened in different variations around the world. One of the biggest things, however that your books did for me was give strength. Each book showed a group of friends progressing together and getting stronger, also helping me realize the kind of relationships that were real in my own life. Friends fight and make up, but the biggest thing is that when they realize their mistakes, they grow stronger together. The whole idea of giving strength that I've proposed is not blown out of proportion as you may think. Young kids, no matter how fictional, can make a stand against whatever they choose, whether the evil in the world, or little conflicts around them. Sneakiness, breaking the rules, being “snitches”, and other shenanigans aren't a great lessons to learn, but overall help teach others the consequences that follow those actions along with all the other lessons.
Next, I want to take a moment and remind you of a quote that you wrote in your book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, “Of course it's happening inside your head Harry, but why on earth should that mean it is not real?” This quotes sums up my love for your books with no question and that's why it's my favorite. To dream about something, there's always an aspect of reality that triggers it. It can happen both inside and outside your head, even if you may not really experience it yourself in reality. Strength and this type of friendship we as readers read in your book, may not necessarily happen to us, but we think and dream about it. It also is happening to others around us, and we should applaud them for tuning into that force inside them instead of degrading them and becoming jealous. That's why I had to reflect on one simple line that your mind imagined and made reality.
Lastly, there is one final aspect of your books that shaped my childhood and still now as I grow older, and that is Magic. Such a wonderful and fantastic quality found even in the “muggle” world. Imagination brings great joy to people's lives and even though many say it is just part of your imagination, I say magic is real. There's a great deal of people behind me that I can guarantee would say the same exact thing, and if you asked them where they got that idea, they'd say your books. If I was to go about and define magic, there's a couple things I would say. Magic is the pure existence of hope, laughter, and a force that makes these things happen. Magic is something that makes out of the ordinary actions happen. Magic is Harry Potter. Your books have given me magic and so many others as well. We read the books to initially experience it, we watch the movies to experience it further, and we go to universal and to “Harry Potter World” to experience it even more, and that's the difference you've made.
In conclusion, my only words are strength, hope, magic, happiness. I have become a more positive, optimistic, and caring person since reading the series, and that's made others around me happier too. With every one person that reads your books, 5 others at least experience the gifts of the books. I honestly from the bottom of my heart, from the love in all of my horcruxes, from the robe and wand in my room, my playing cards and games, my socks, and all of my Harry Potter merchandise, thank you for everything.
Thanks,
Sophia B.
