by J. K. Rowling
Arthur A. Levine Books, 2017. 143 pgs. Young Adult Nonfiction
As part of the 20th anniversary of release of Harry Potter
and the Philosopher’s Stone, the British Library created an exhibit
highlighting the historical aspects of magic and shared original writing,
illustrations, and notes from J.K. Rowling. Harry Potter: A Journey Through A History of Magic takes
readers through a series of seven Hogwarts classes and shows historical
artifacts related to that topic, like a pack of divination playing cards from
the 1740s or the tombstone of Nicolas Flamel. In addition, there are writings and
illustrations from Rowling, including the original synopsis for the
Philosopher’s Stone and a drawing of Harry and Hagrid riding the cart in
Gringotts.
This is a fantastic book. There is a balance of new information,
historical artifacts, and Jim Kay illustrations. I enjoyed reading the snippets
from J.K. Rowling and seeing her illustrations of characters and scenes. The
historical context provided a rich picture of how Harry Potter fits in the
wider magical theology. I especially liked the chapters on Astronomy and Charms.
Rowling’s depiction of the opening to Diagon Alley from 1990 is one of my
favorite page spreads in the book. This is a great read for anyone who loves
Harry Potter, magic, or museum catalogs.
TT
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