When I was 11 years old my cousin loaned me her copy of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. From the minute I read those first few sentences I knew I had stepped into the magical world that would no longer allow me out even if I had used Avada Kedavra on the gatekeepers into the Wizarding World. Both my sister and cousin had grew up reading the books and watching the premiers, and soon I was able to convince my younger cousin to read them as well, and we were both in love.

I finished all seven books two summers later and by then had watched all of the movies that were out by then. I also continued to anxiously wait for the last two. I remember forcing my younger cousin to watch the premiere of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, and even though he hated me, it was one of my best experiences. Just seeing the characters on the screen and up close and so loud and having it all feel so real, was a feeling that I unfortunately cannot describe in words.

My love for this book series had even more grown after I had taken a trip with my family to Orlando, Florida and I convinced my parents to take my cousins and I to the newly opened Harry Potter World. Tears and joy are two accurate words I can use to explain how the afternoon went for my cousin Maddie and I.

Today I own a season pass to Universal Studios Hollywood and so far I have gone twice merely for the Harry Potter World. Needless to say I will be going many more times during the week in the fall when I am back at school in Thousand Oaks. I also have teared up many times in the park because it all feels too real to be standing inside of Hogsmeade. All of my dreams of becoming a wizard had come to life when they created these parks and I was able to purchase a wand, and robes and all of the Wizarding World essentials.

I don't read the books to past the time, I don't leave the movies on as background noise, no these books and movies are more of something that has become a part of me. Reading isn't for everyone, but i guarantee that you have a favorite book. This book transports you to another world, it's your way to escape this terribly screwed up one. So maybe it's not a book, maybe it's a movie, well guess what...books are movies on paper. Of course you will say that you don't have enough time to read a book, yet if you spend the same amount of time reading instead of watching a movie, it will just be as fulfilling.But I get it, our society is too lazy to pick up a book, so that's why they make so many books into movies, for people like you.

Take a peek into Harry's life. Sure you may have seen the movies, but you really haven't seen the wizarding world until you feel like you're sitting in the Three Brommsticks with Harry Ron and Hermoine. Soon you completely sympathize with the boy under the stairs more than you ever thought you would.

His life is like any of ours, except with potions, spells, and wild beasts. Their lives filled with adventures, magic, and friendship, have taught me bravery, hope, and faith. I have learned where to place my trust and how to properly give my own. Harry Potter has taught me how to mature. I have used these books as an outlet into a world that has so much to offer, so much that it makes me hope that maybe some of the people who read these books will bring Harry's light into our world. So read on.