Interestingly, the Disney movie Sky High was thematically very similar to the Potter series. Granted, it was only one story, and a movie instead of a book, but there were many parallel ideas. The subculture of people with innate special powers, a secret school devoted to developing those powers, the ban on using those powers outside school, and many others. Sky High used the "superpower" paradigm, which is more in line with American legendary tradition, than the "wizard" paradigm, which is more European. But the use of magic in the Potter books bore far more resemblance the use of superpowers in Sky High than it did to actual incantations used by those who practice occult arts (who are very few.)
One thing I appreciated about the Potter series was the high value it placed on friendship and family. Rather unexpectedly for modern "teen" literature, it downplayed romantic relationships, rather than making them central to the plot. In fact, romance was treated as somewhat problematic (e.g. Harry and Cho) or a cause of complications (e.g. Romilda Vane's machinations). Where it showed up, as with Harry and Ginny, it played a minor and peripheral part. The bonds of friendship were a much more important theme in the story.
One thing I appreciated about the Potter series was the high value it placed on friendship and family. Rather unexpectedly for modern "teen" literature, it downplayed romantic relationships, rather than making them central to the plot. In fact, romance was treated as somewhat problematic (e.g. Harry and Cho) or a cause of complications (e.g. Romilda Vane's machinations). Where it showed up, as with Harry and Ginny, it played a minor and peripheral part. The bonds of friendship were a much more important theme in the story.
hoenix Feather, Flexibility: Surprisingly Swishy Length: 13 in.
