The Harry Potter Series

This book provides in-depth critical discussions of Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling, plus complimentary, unlimited online access to the full content of this great literary reference. Over the last twenty years, J. K. Rowling has captured the hearts and imaginations of readers around the world with her inimitable Harry Potter series, an adventurous tale of a young wizard's coming of age. In the course of seven books, this epic fantasy saga tells the story of Harry Potter, a boy wizard at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Together with his friends, Hermione Granger and Ronald Weasley, as well as other various modern-day wizards, witches, and Muggles, Harry fights an ongoing battle against Lord Voldemort, a dark wizard with an obsessive quest for power and immortality. Edited by Lana A. Whited (English Professor and Director of the Boone Honors Program at Ferrum College) and M. Katherine Grimes (Associate English Professor and English Program Coordinator at Ferrum College), Critical Insights: The Harry Potter Series presents a collection of essays by established international scholars in such fields as children's literature, fantasy, and even Harry Potter studies. The newest addition to Salem Press' acclaimed Critical Insights series, this volume provides sixteen insightful essays that dig deep at the heart of J. K. Rowling and her fantastical magnum opus, examining both author and work from a multitude of angles. Each essay is 2,500 to 5,000 words in length, and all essays conclude with a list of "Works Cited," along with endnotes. Finally, the volume's appendixes offer a section of useful reference resources: About This Volume, Critical Context: Original Introductory Essays, Critical Readings: Original In-Depth Essays, Further Readings, Detailed Bibliography, Detailed Bio of the Editor, General Subject Index. - Publisher.