This September marked the ten-year anniversary of the release of one of the most talked about novels of our modern time and marked the birth of a series that changed the way we look at fantasy-fiction.

Ten years ago, on September 1, 1998, the first of a seven book series was released in bookstores across the United States.

The title of the book was none other than “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.”

The story of a ten-year old boy, who after living with muggles [non-magical human beings] who hate him, discovers that he is the son of wizards and he himself is a wizard.

Due to this revelation he sets off to be educated in the magical arts at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizarding.

The fame of the book spread like Chihuahuas as an accessory after Paris Hilton got Tinker-belle [her Chihuahua].

The books seem a far stretch from reality, and indeed they are, but that is why they are great; and in honor of the ten years of Harry Potter’s existence here are the top ten reasons Harry Potter is so loved by its fans:

1) Harry Potter creates a world wherein everything you can think of is possible.

A world where you can fly a broom at speeds of 100 mph chasing after a golden ball with wings as crowds watch in amazement, where you fight horrible creatures like a huge club wielding troll, or just eat chocolate frogs that jump around like actual frogs!

2) None of us has ever encountered anything like this before; a story like this is still virgin in our minds at least until we allow ourselves to be plunged into the world of wizarding.

“The book explodes our fantasy and takes us to a place in our imaginations we haven’t been to yet.” junior Sandra Casarez said, just one of the few people who have read the Harry Potter series in its entirety at Carson High School.

3) The books are actually fun to read! Which for most people nowadays is a strange concept (reading fun??!!). The books are always packed with their share of comedy.

4) Rowling adds several twists and turns in her books that cause us to gasp in astonishment after we figure the mysteries out.

Like in the first book, she leads us on the whole time making us think one character is the villain, but in reality he is helping Harry Potter survive.

5) Rowling also adds characters that we can relate to, or that we admire, such as Albus Dumbledore. Doesn’t he remind you of your crazy great grand uncle?

He is about the oldest man you have ever seen with long white hair and a long white beard that reaches his waist. However, Dumbeldore is not only one of the most powerful wizards alive, he is kind, an upbeat guy, and always sincere.

6) The books are written in a simple way that doesn’t make them difficult to understand.

7) There is even a movie franchise to go with the series. So far only 5 of the seven movies have been made but production has started on the last two.

8) The books take you back to childhood memories, because as we watch Harry growing up we remember our own childhood antics and excitement with friends.

9) Like the Hogwarts castle stairs that are always changing, the books are also constantly changing.

In the first book Harry and his friend Ron despise a girl in their year named Hermione, but in the end they become the best of friends, showing the constant changes in the series.

10) The tenth reason, my fellow Harry Potter enthusiast’s, is not up to this reporter to decide, it is up to everyone who has been affected by the books in one way or an another.

You, my precious audience, must decide the greatness of the series for yourselves, that is its ultimate greatness.