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It’s been over 20 years since the first Harry Potter book rocketed its controversial author to fame. We’ve laughed, cried, and cussed alongside the Boy Wizard and his loyal crew- but it wasn’t all fun and games! The Potter series brought us some great lessons both on- and off the page...and here’s just a few of them for you to enjoy!

1) You can’t judge a book by its cover

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Literally, in this case. The first Harry Potter novel was released on 26th June 1997, to utterly no fanfare. It was the time of Tony Blair, Bertie Ahern, and the Spice Girls. People were still caught up in Diana Fever, only to hear of her tragic death two months later. A John Grisham novel outsold Potter wildly. Yet of all of those ‘momentous’ news events, today the launch of this game-changing children’s series is among the best remembered. Doesn’t that just prove the adage, that you can’t judge a book by its cover? Hindsight is 2020, so don’t be quick to dismiss the unknown.

2) Children’s books don’t have to be fluffy

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There’s a common perception that books for kids can’t approach difficult topics. Yet giving a child an engaging narrative to help them explore difficult issues can, in fact, be a great way to help them work through complicated ideas and emotions. Rowling showed us this. While the books started lighter, and grew up with their readers, she didn’t shy away from the ‘real world’. We see blood-and-soil fascism face off against good (and lose), explored ideas like racism and the tabloid press, and even brushed on modern-day slavery. Opening children's eyes to issues like these in age-appropriate ways- and teaching them how to process their emotions around difficult times in their own life- can help them grow into wonderful adults. 

3) False news and disinformation campaigns spread quicker than you think

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We all know that Potter books were burned- often without ever being read or critically evaluated- by fundamentalist Christians in the U.S and other countries. It was a powerful lesson in how close-minded people can be, and how effectively disinformation and ‘false news’ can spread. These people were convinced some evil form of witchcraft was coming for their children- but none of them sat down to read and think about the lessons of good vs evil, heroes and villains, and good triumphing the books actually contained.

4) There’s always a critic (and that's OK)

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Not everyone likes the series- and that’s just fine. As a classic example, AS Byatt, commissioned by the New York Times to give their opinion of the books, slaughtered the series. “It is written for people whose imaginative lives are confined to TV cartoons, and the exaggerated mirror-worlds of soaps, reality TV and celebrity gossip.” It wasn’t deliberate unkindness, just a critic’s honest opinion. She wasn’t the target market, and you can’t expect everyone to love you, no matter how hard you try. In this case, they were out judged by the rest of the world. 

5) Anonymity doesn’t exist in the digital age

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Much like Stephan King before her, JK Rowling tried to publish a book anonymously after she hit her Potter fame. Using the pen name Robert Galbraith, it was well-received, but nowhere near the hype of the Potter series. Within three months, the Sunday Times had outed her as the author, however. It’s a valuable lesson in how little anonymity we have these days, and how quickly we can be tracked if someone wants to. 

6) Watch what you say online

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It’s tempting to think that social media is a free-for-all that can’t have consequences. As Rowling has herself learned, however, the perceived anonymity of the internet can still bite you- hard. She’s lately managed to turn a bunch of fans off of her and the childhood magic they loved through some unwise and ill-thought-through online statements. Always remember, whatever you say on the net should be words you’d be happy for others to attach to your name, too!

7) There’s always more of a good thing

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The Potter series may have officially ended, but that doesn’t mean Rowling has left the world alone. Alongside tons of extra content on her website, Pottermore, we’ve had the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child play, ‘real’ versions of books mentioned within the world, and much more. Some say it’s high time she stopped, but for Potter fans, it looks like the beat will always go on for this fictional world. There’s always a little extra room for something good, no?

The Harry Potter novels captured the hearts of children everywhere when they launched, and generations of young adults have been shaped by the many lessons they taught us. Alongside the fun of the magic world she created, there’s been plenty of real-life lessons to learn too. How did the famous children’s novels change your life? Be sure to let us know!