How Harry Potter Shaped Our Childhood
For those of us who grew up during the rise of Harry Potter, the release of each book and film changed how we looked at the world. As someone obsessed with the stories as a child (and still today), even my 9th birthday party was Harry Potter-themed in honor of the first movie in theaters, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. It was the beginning of a love for magic, relating to fictional characters, and a passion for reading. Read below for how Harry Potter was the best part of childhood.
Midnight Book Release Parties
If you attended one of the Harry Potter midnight book release parties at Barnes & Noble, you know the intense thrill of waiting in line and having a fresh-off-the-shelf book put into your hands. Many began reading the latest of the series right then and there. Midnight premieres were a common thing for movies, but having midnight release parties for books accelerated the interest of young children to read literature and use their imagination.
Introduction to Personality Tests
Before Harry Potter, I was unaware that personality quizzes existed. However, after being introduced to Harry Potter, I took as many Hogwarts House sorting quizzes as possible. The series of questions helped me better understand my personality and the strengths I possessed that could be used in life. Since the release of Harry Potter, many versions of the sorting quiz have been made for fans to take, including a profile sorting ceremony on Wizarding World.
Learning How to Accept Others
Studies have shown that those who read Harry Potter are less likely to judge and discriminate against others than those who have not read the books. If the stories have taught us anything, it’s that what makes you different can make you stronger. A perfect example of this is Hermione being called a mudblood. While she is not of pure magical blood, as pointed out by Draco, she is one of the smartest witches at Hogwarts. This taught children not to be prejudiced against those from a different background.
How did Harry Potter shape your childhood? Did you have similar experiences to the ones listed above?
