In 3rd grade, instead of paying attention in class, I would read. I had mastered the art of hiding my novel behind my textbook, and I would read through the math lesson and any other lesson that bored me. Eventually, this habit became so bad that my teacher had a rule that my friends were allowed to take the book away from me whenever I read when I was not supposed to.
Certain books have a spot closer to my heart than others. There is something magical about being able to return to a book or series over and over again and never grow tired of it. The very first series I fell in love with was Little House on the Prairie. I wanted to be Laura Ingalls Wilder with all my heart and soul. I read and reread the series more times than I can count — I even had parts of the books memorized.
The next series that I fell head over heels in love with was Harry Potter. Sadly, I started to read the series right before the seventh book was released, so I was never able to go to any midnight premieres. However, I still read anything and everything related to Harry Potter that I could. This was another series that I read over and over again, and I still do. I may have outgrown Little House on the Prairie, but I will never become tired of Harry Potter. There is something extremely comforting in being able to return to the world of Harry Potter.
When I heard that J.K Rowling had written a play that took place 19 years after the end of the seventh book, I was ecstatic. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child would bring me back to the magical world that I so dearly loved. Then I found out that the play would only be shown in London, and that an ocean and a 12-hour flight stood in my way. I was devastated. I decided to push the whole thing out of my mind because there was no way that I was ever going to be able to see it.
Then, on Feb. 10, J.K. Rowling released what I believe to be the best news of 2016 so far — Harry Potter and the Cursed Child will be published as a novel! I was beyond ecstatic when I heard the news, and I am still so happy! On Harry’s birthday, July 31, the Muggle world will once again be allowed to return to the wonderful wizarding world.
I know I speak for millions of others when I say, “Thank you, Jo.”