If you haven't read the books about Harry Potter's adventures at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, what are you waiting for? There's a reason these books have sold almost 400 million copies, and been translated into 63 different languages...they're hugely enjoyable!
There are 2 extra books-booklets really-that Potter author J.K. Rowling wrote to raise money for the British charity Comic Relief. They are: "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" and "Quidditch Through the Ages." In the main Harry Potter books, Rowling specifies that the "Beasts" book is required reading for first-year students at Hogwarts-and as such is must-read for any wannabe Harry Potter expert too.
Younger students will find plenty of attractive books to expand their knowledge of Harry Potter's world of wizards and magic. In "The Wizardology Handbook" they'll find out-with the help of lots of pop-ups-that winter is the best time for spells involving health or finding lost treasure, and summer is the time for spells for good luck and prosperity.
Another book for young wizarding students is "Wizardology: Secrets of Merlin," where they'll discover what's needed to outfit the DIY wizard's workshop, including the eye of newt, toe of frog, and freshly ground unicorn horn, which should always be on their shopping list.
Older students will want to get to grips with the mysteries, puzzles and brainteasers J.K. Rowling has hidden in the Harry Potter storyline. "The Ultimate Unofficial Guide to the Mysteries of Harry Potter" is a good place to start to find answers to questions such as, "Where is Fluffy Now," and what Rowling had in mind when she gave Professor Snape the first name "Severus." Other good text books for this level of wizarding scholarship include "The Sorcerer's Companion: A Guide to the Magical World of Harry Potter" and "Magical Worlds of Harry Potter." Look for them on Amazon.com (see Resources) or your local bookshop or library.
Another book for students nearing the end of their studies to become a bonafied expert is "The End of Harry Potter," which explores thumbsuckers such as, how Hogwarts knows which children they need to invite as students-we learn that, according to Rowling, "there's an enchanted, self-writing quill pen at the Ministry of Magic which automatically records every newly born British witch or wizard in a register." Now you know! Among the other books for older Harry Potter experts, who want a serious perspective on the series, are: "The Ivory Tower and Harry Potter: Perspectives on a Literary Phenomenon," "Critical Perspectives on Harry Potter" and even the metaphysical argument for the world and the books, "God, the Devil, and Harry Potter: A Christian Minister's Defense of the Beloved Novels."
For the Harry Potter fan who just wants a total immersion in Harry Potter lore and legend and be able to find out more and more about J.K. Rowling and her creation, there's an ever increasing world of information on the Internet at sites like Accio-quote, the largest archive of J.K. Rowling quotes on the Internet, or MuggleNet, which bills itself as the Ultimate Harry Potter site, and last, but not least, the Potter world's own Wikipedia (see Resources).