'arry potter!

The fever is on where ever I go ( I only go places online, if you must know), I see images of the scrawny boy with untidy black hair. Speculations about what is going to happen in the final book 'Deathly Hallows' - does Hogwarts re-open? is Snape evil or good?
is Albus Dumbeldore really dead? does Harry destroy the four horcruxes and Lord Voldemort ? Who Dies? and who lives?

Harry potter is a phenomenon- a world wide phenomenon. Teachers and parents are grateful to the books for making kids be interested in reading. Each of the book has been widely publicised and has, in my opinion lived up to the hype. It has been quite a ride- one about to come to an end with the publication of the final book.
I have heard of such age and race defying obsessions - star wars, star trek and even lord of the rings to some degree ... But this is the first time I truly am part of one. I feel I am much to old to be so anxious of this book, but I am, I read the last two books of the series and I have been seeing Hogwarts in my dreams for the past three nights - I know my inner nerd is showing.
I grew up in the post feminist era - with no flower children, no bra -burning and in a very balanced and focused family- there was no time for obsessions and manias. I am little off- kilter with this, my first one. It is almost as good as being in love :)
So, I will be at the book store midnight on Friday, getting my copy of the book - and then spending much of the weekend ( to the dismay of the folks around me) sneaking off to read at every chance I get.
I will be back next week raving about the book.
But most of all I will have all seven books on my book shelf next to my famous fives and what Katie did, waiting for Uma to read them- and for me to read them again with Uma - thanks to these books, I will never forget what it is to be a child.