Harry Potter is the name of a very popular series of fantasy novels by British writer J. K. Rowling. The books depict a world of witches and wizards, the protagonist being the eponymous young wizard, Harry Potter. Since the release of the first novel, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (retitled Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone in the United States) in 1997, the series has faced criticism on the grounds of its literary merit, challenges to its authenticity, and allegations of corrupting the young. Despite this, the series has succeeded in gaining immense popularity and commercial success worldwide and across age demographics, spawning in addition to its original medium, books, films, video games, and a wealth of other items.

Along with its clear elements of fantasy, Harry Potter is also in the words of Stephen King a "shrewd mystery tale."^[1] Most of the narrative takes place in Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, focusing on Harry Potter’s journey toward manhood over the course of his education, interactions, journeys, and adventures. Through the course of these, the books also explore themes of friendship, ambition, choice, prejudice, and love against the backdrop of the expansive magical world with its long and complex history, diverse inhabitants, unique culture, and parallel society.

As of 2006, six of the seven planned books have been published, while the publishing date of the seventh remains uncertain. The latest, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, was issued in its English language version on 16 July 2005. The first four books have been made into very successful films, and the fifth began filming in February 2006. English language versions of the books are published by Bloomsbury, Scholastic Press, and Raincoast Books.