An Age Limit for Harry Potter?

Experiencing the anticipated release of the final two part installment of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, I am inclined to question the age limit of these once dubbed child stories. J.K. Rowling's progressive movement into children's magical realm of wizardry prompted a worldwide addiction to the spells of "Expelliarmus" and "Wingardium Leviosa". But when does our inner child have to accept our maturation over the nightmares of dementors and the hopes of receiving our acceptance to Hogwarts? Personally, I considered myself outgrown from the Harry Potter series when I was in the seventh grade, but recently I have found myself craving the memories of sitting under the bed sheet listening to Linkin Park while immersed in the dramatized telling of Sirius Black's escape from Azkaban. When can we shake off the cloaks and scarves of our favorite Hogwarts house? From my personal observations, I say never; I still hear of and even experience fifty year old men and women dressing as their favorite characters at the premiers of the action packed movies. I remember each release date of each book my father shaking me up at midnight to drag me to the nearest Wal-Mart or Barnes and Noble to hopefully attain the recent copy of Harry Potter. Even still my Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays are consumed by conversation of witchcraft and wizardry.

But is the intention of Rowling's books for all age groups? Judging from her development in her writing style and technique, The Sorcerer's Stone through The Prisoner of Azkaban are more inclined for a child audience. Rowling's release of The Goblet of Fire started her inclusion of an older audience. But with the maturation of her audience, Rowling's style develops and with experience with her first three novels her experiences develops a mature writing style. When compared to Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series, J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter novels are far more superior to a vampire's love story. What I consider extremely interesting is that there seem to be more adult fans to Rowling's novels than there are kids. As the years have passed middle aged adults have been hypnotized by the spells of Harry Potter. Instances of stories of Halloween parties where adults come as their favorite character, or listening to the soundtrack's of each movie, even the extent of embarrassing their sons and daughters when the next Harry Potter movie is released. Is it acceptable when Daniel Radcliffe appears on screen to hear the whistles and desiring screams of forty year old women? I say yes.

As an English student I prefer to read pre twentieth century literature; but through the years after dubbing Harry Potter as "un-cool" I have come to appreciate the story and the writing style that Rowling has developed through her series. I will admit to staying in on a Friday or Saturday night to watch ABC Family's Harry Potter marathon, but to disappoint the devout Potter fans, I have not finished all of the novels; but summer 2011 I plan to finish the remaining four. I also admit to be one of the millions of individuals to buy The Deathly Hallows just to read the last chapter; each of us make mistakes because we are humans, I understand my crime and I'm ready to redeem my blasphemous act to J.K. Rowling and all of the devoted Harry Potter fans. The Harry Potter world does practice prejudice, fans of all ages, muggles and wizards are invited to be submersed into the cauldron of magic and horror that J.K. Rowling has created. Her legacy will be epitomized by the scenes of Tom Riddle and Harry as they both embark on a battle to preserve the world of wizardry.