Performance of Children's Literature Fall 2024

CASD 1717 – Fall 2024

Before and After Harry

The publication of the seven Harry Potter books by J.K. Rowling marked a fundamental shift in children’s publishing. They showed that ‘children’s books’ could be blockbusters, and, more importantly, that children’s and young adult literature was something that adults were also interested in reading. This led to many other franchise-like books/films, such as The Hunger Games, Twilight, and many others that tried to capture some of the same magic.

Watch

By the time the fourth book came out, the series had a massive following. This is a clip from a ‘release party’ in 2000 for the 4th book.

The books became even bigger worldwide successes through translation, and especially the films that began coming out between the release of books #4 and #5.

Harry Potter has gone on to become one of the biggest cultural franchises in history, spawning movies, additional movies set in the same world (Fantastic Beasts), Theme Park lands at Universal Studios, a Broadway play, an official online community platform, and more. It has also served as the inspiration for lots of fan activity, including not only fanfiction but bands, quidditch leagues, online communities and wikis, fanvids, and so much more.

This fan-made video offers some musings on why the books/films were so successful. There are several things in it that are definitely arguable and more complex than how they are presented, but it’s good food for thought.

J.K Rowling has engaged heavily with the fan community, both in positive and negative ways.

Harry Potter has thrived because of adaptations across media.

Read

Pages 1-10 of “Introduction: Harry Potter and the Magical Screen” from Transforming Harry : The Adaptation of Harry Potter in the Transmedia Age, edited by John Alberti, and P. Andrew Miller, Wayne State University Press, 2018.

Get it at the Brooklyn College Library

Watch: The Play on Broadway

An official ‘8th’ book of the Harry Potter series was released as the play script for the West End/Broadway play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, a story that takes place once Harry and his friends are adults and features their children. It relies heavily on knowing the Harry Potter saga. The play is sold in two parts, with the first ending on a cliffhanger.

This is the trailer for the play which was first down in the UK, and then came to New York, and other places around the world.

A visit from NY1 to the Broadway version.

The return from COVID has led the Broadway production to condense the show into one longer production.

How familiar were you with Harry Potter? Do you have any ideas about why it became such a big deal? How and why do you think that the success of this series might have influenced future publishing for children?

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Theorizing Fantasy

Comments

22 responses to “Before and After Harry”

  1. Sofia Buttaro Avatar
    Sofia Buttaro

    Although I haven’t seen any of the movies or read any of the Harry Potter books, I am aware that they became a global sensation because of their inventive writing, likable characters, and ability to build a magical world that is incredibly engrossing. Because it combined exciting adventures with universal themes like friendship, bravery, and the conflict between good and evil, the series struck a chord with viewers of all ages. Its evolution alongside its readers, from lighter, more amusing tones to darker, more intricate plots, is also partly responsible for its global appeal.

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  2. Amy Khait Avatar
    Amy Khait

    I am super familiar with the Harry Potter Books. I read all the books and seen all the movies. I loved the series as a kid and continue to do so even as an adult. I believe Harry Potter became a big deal because of the unique magical characters. Also, the element of fantasy and magic, as well as certain themes in the book such as, betrayal, friendship, and good vs evil is very interesting. Many people believe it is an escape from reality. It is an ability to disconnect with worries, responsibilities and engage in another world.

    Reply
  3. Mahnoor Avatar
    Mahnoor

    I am slightly familiar with Harry Potter. I have a vague idea that it takes place in the fictional British town of Hogwarts, where there are spells and magic involved. I think that it has become so popular because the story has themes that are relatable and common among children, yet they take place in a magical world. The suspense and adventure over the series of books has added to the plotline and made it easy and fun for kids to follow along and enjoy. Overall, I think that the success of this series has greatly impacted works after it because the use of magic and otherworldly concepts has become popular. It is common to see magical aspects in children’s fiction over a wide variety of books now and young adult fiction has become more complex following the success of Harry Potter. 

    Reply
  4. VANESSA Avatar
    VANESSA

    Im familiar with Harry Potter. I’ve actually just started watching the movies. I always knew it was so popular world wide but I didn’t understand why. Now that I’m watching it I get it. The adventures, the settings, friendships, life lessons are what make a good story. Harry is very curious and he wants to understand what is going on and who is family is. This leaves him with going to figure it out on his own. No matter what comes across. The success of Harry Potter might influence future publishing for children because it opened the door to so much creativity. Sure Harry is a young boy but there are so many feelings and adventures that go into the story and I think a lot can be relatable to the young audience. It’s about family, friendship, and about finding yourself as well. This will help future publishers open their creativity and add more plot twists into their stories. Add more lessons.

    Reply
  5. Victoria Lucenti Avatar
    Victoria Lucenti

    I am very familiar with Harry Potter, I have grown up reading the novel series with my grandma, as well as the movie series. I think it became such a big deal because the novel series was one of the first of a kind in a genre to integrate magic into mystery and horror. I think the success of this series might have influenced future publishing for children because the themes presented are so relatable to children, such as friends, imagination/fantasy, fresh/new starts, and more that have driven young audiences and even older so closely to this series.

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  6. Selina Chen Avatar
    Selina Chen

    I remember when I was in middle school I loved the Harry Potter series including the movies along with it. I think Harry Potter became a big deal because of it’s fictional characters. I think that was how I got into Harry Potter, the characters and magic. I think that the success of this series might have influenced future publishing for children with it’s ambitious stories. I also think that Harry Potter attracts all kinds of readers from young adults to maybe high school students.

    Reply
  7. Ariana Loyfman Avatar
    Ariana Loyfman

    I have watched a few of the Harry Potter movies and I have been to Harry Potter World. As well, I got to see a lot of the original props that were used in Harry Potter when I got to visit Warner Brother Studios in California. It is definitely a special and unique story that grabbed the attention of millions of people around the world. I think that the features and factors of this story really grabbed the attention of many people and it made the audience to fall in love with this unique story and all of the cool magical details.

    Reply
  8. Alexa Mendez Avatar
    Alexa Mendez

    I am very familiar with Harry Potter, when I was younger I didn’t take much interest in the books or movies however as I got older I watched the movies with my family and I loved them. They definitely grabbed your attention and were for all audiences. The theme focused on fantasy and magical beings and powers. it was entertaining with all the unexpected magic and drama and action. You also got to get to know the characters and it was an ongoing storyline with interesting themes.

    Reply
  9. Nitzan Naim Avatar
    Nitzan Naim

    I watched the movies but never read the books. However, I know so so so many people who read the books and are obsessed with them. One of my good friends just got married, and she made multiple Harry Potter references in her speech. To be honest, I never really understood the appeal, although I do enjoy fantasy stories/movies. In the video posted here (why was Harry Potter so successful?), they give a good answer though – it’s a combination of the structure, the theme, coming of age, and Rolling’s adjustment of the series to her audience as they grew older along with the books.

    Reply
  10. Anthea longville Avatar
    Anthea longville

    Although I have seen the Harry Potter books I am not familiar with them and have never read any. And to be honest I have absolutely no idea why it the books became a big deal but am just going to guess and say its because it appeals to all ages and maybe the story line is pretty interesting.

    Reply
  11. Anthea longville Avatar
    Anthea longville

    Although I have seen the Harry Potter books I am not familiar with them and have never read any. And to be honest I have absolutely no idea why it the books became a big deal but am just going to guess and say its because it appeals to all ages and maybe the story line is pretty engaging for its readers.

    Reply
  12. Anthea longville Avatar
    Anthea longville

    Although I have seen the Harry Potter books I am not familiar with them and have never read any. And to be honest I have absolutely no idea why the books became a big deal but am just going to guess and say its because it appeals to all ages and maybe the story line is pretty engaging for its readers.

    Reply
  13. Emma Avatar
    Emma

    I have never personally gotten into this type of books and movies however people around me do and speak about their love for it. The lovable characters and the on going plot makes the audience want to keep watching with anticipation and I believe it become such a huge like worldwide because the stories and themes that are portrayed can be related for many.

    Reply
  14. Kateryna Senkovych Avatar
    Kateryna Senkovych

    I love watching the Harry Potter movies, I made it a tradition to rewatch them every year during Christmas time. I haven’t read the books but I have heard that the books are even better than the movies and I do hope to read them sometime in the future. I think Harry Potter got so popular due to the story and was appealing to children because he is basically a child who is growing up trying to make friends and then the whole thing with magic makes it even better. Children are able to go into the story and get lost in a whole other world with magic and friendships.

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  15. Naurah Romulus Avatar
    Naurah Romulus

    I never read the books, but I went to see the first movie on a field trip as a child, and I loved it from then on. It became a big deal because the stories were amazing and exciting, relatable characters and its themes of friendship and bravery made it a story that all ages could love. The sorting of houses also made it extremely popular and fun with fans who could choose which house fit their personality. Its success changed children’s publishing by showing that young readers could enjoy long, detailed stories and that series could create loyal fans worldwide. It also made book-to-movie adaptations more common and encouraged publishers to create more fantasy series and stories for young readers.

    Reply
  16. Kaylee Pontone Avatar
    Kaylee Pontone

    I love Harry Potter! Both the movies and the books. I think what made it so successful was watching the kids grow up in the film and getting people to buy the books alongside them. The books become more dark and mature as the series goes on and this is definitely part of the allure of Harry Potter, watching him just become immersed in an adventure he never really asked to be on. This approach of growing up with the characters probably influenced publishers to want stories like that, where sequels are anticipated.

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  17. Brittany Giler Avatar
    Brittany Giler

    I love Harry Potter. I have read all the books, watched the films, and seen the Broadway show. The stories have suspenseful plots that keep the reader/watcher hooked. Also releasing books in installments created anticipation and excitement.

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  18. Anifat Abumislimova Avatar
    Anifat Abumislimova

    I only know Harry Potter from movies, I have not read the books. I think it became such a big deal because it shows Harry Potter first living in a non-magical world where he struggles with this dreary depressing world, as it states in the video, and then returning to Hogwarts secret schools of wizards. I think it became so popular because there is a lot of magic, magical creatures, etc.

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  19. Tory Sen Avatar
    Tory Sen

    I’ve read Harry Potter, which youngsters and adults appreciated for its new worlds, appealing characters, and universal themes like friendship and courage. It popularized fantasy and multi-book series and made novels appealing to all ages in children’s books. Young readers returned to reading after publishers prioritized compelling stories and event-based marketing. Publishers can transform books into movies, products, or even theme parks, as demonstrated in the presentation. This has significantly changed the production and sales of children’s books.

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  20. Michelle Cortes Rodriguez Avatar
    Michelle Cortes Rodriguez

    Im somewhat familiar with Harry Potter. Ive seen the movies and read some books. I think it became a big deal with him being a realistic character (human) and he was a wizard. There was no crazy characters or such it was just a human along with other humans being wizards and facing challenges.

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  21. Amna Syeda Avatar
    Amna Syeda

    I’m familiar with the Harry Potter series, though I never read or watched it because it was very hyped. Its mix of magic, adventure, and relatable characters made it a big deal, with themes like friendship and good versus evil. The series influenced children’s publishing by showing that complex stories could be popular.

    Reply
  22. Jaylyn Calles Avatar
    Jaylyn Calles

    How familiar were you with Harry Potter? Do you have any ideas about why it became such a big deal? How and why do you think that the success of this series might have influenced future publishing for children?

    I am familiar with harry potter. I only seen the movies never read the stories. It because such a big deal because of the story line it was very engaging it has good and bad. Happiness and sadness. Love and envy throughout the stories/movies. Yes the success of this series definitely influenced future writers for children literature.

    Reply

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