It seems rather unlikely that anyone would want to go to a place called Hogwarts. The name is a travel agent’s worst nightmare, conjuring up images of pigs covered in pussing growths.

It also seems rather unlikely that children’s literature by a previously unknown author such as J.K. Rowling would make it on the New York Times Bestseller list. The idea seems especially preposterous considering that books written by novelists such as Michael Crichton, Stephen King and Danielle Steel have traditionally dominated the list.

“It’s extraordinary to have a book designed for children being read and appreciated by adults so much that it makes it all the way to the Bestseller list,” said Dale Edwards, clerk at Big Table Books.

However unlikely it may seem, Hogwarts is quickly becoming a dream destination for many people. For a boy named Harry Potter, it’s the place to which he dreams of returning after his horrible summer vacations.

Harry Potter has inspired middle-schoolers, college students, parents and all ages in between to pick up his books.

Sparking controversy among fundamentalist Christian groups, gracing the cover of Time magazine and starring in a soon-to-be-released Steven Spielberg film, Harry Potter has traveled a long way since Hogwarts.

And for the ever-expanding legions of fans who have placed Harry atop the New York Times Bestseller list, Hogwarts is the place where an aspiring wizard and his friends regularly become involved in entertaining and enchanting adventures.

But who exactly is Harry Potter, and why is he relevant?

Of Muggles and Quidditch

Initially, the British protagonist of the J.K. Rowling-penned novels knows little of his past and nothing of his future. Since the death of his parents, Harry has spent 10 miserable years living under the rule of the less-than appreciative Dursleys, his aunt and uncle, while being bullied by their son, Dudley.

The 11th year of Harry’s life looks to be no better than any of the others, until letters begin arriving from the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. No matter how desperately Harry’s uncle Vernon tries, he cannot prevent Harry from learning and embracing his magical heritage.

Quickly, Harry is exposed to the magical world, a place far different from the muggle (a term for people who entirely lack magic) world in which he has grown up.

Harry discovers that the lightning-bolt scar on his forehead resulted from a confrontation with the highly feared Lord Voldemort, an evil wizard who killed his parents, but who was unable to kill him.

Voldemort is a recurring nemesis of Harry’s, though his form varies from book to book. In addition to the murderous dark wizard, Harry must deal with his rival Draco Malfoy, not to mention his schoolwork.

Harry does not have to face these changes alone, as he becomes good friends with fellow students Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley.

Hogwarts, which can be easily compared to a British boarding school, offers various courses that allow aspiring wizards and witches to develop their magical talents, as well as learn what it means to have the ability to perform magic.

Similar to college dormitories, there are four Hogwarts houses — Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw — that compete with one another for house points. Harry belongs to Gryffindor, while his rival belongs to Slytherin.

One of the main forms of competition between the houses, Quidditch, is also the most popular sport in the magical world. The game, a sort of combination of soccer, basketball and hockey, is played on broomsticks and features four balls of varying size and purpose.

Each of these elements is essential to all three of the Harry Potter novels, continuing to affect character development and plot.

“It’s a story of Harry Potter and his two friends, who, in the midst of going to a school of magic, encounter various adventures and learn more about themselves and each other,” said ISU English professor Donna Niday, who requires that students in her English 394 class read “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.”

Who Wants to be Harry Potter?

Though marketed as children’s literature, the Harry Potter books have managed to attract and captivate a broad audience that is not limited to any age group.

“It’s been such a wide variety,” Stevi Clark, manager of Waldenbooks, said. “It’s usually the mothers or somebody buying them for somebody else, but they’re also buying them for themselves.”

College students, though not the largest portion of the reading audience, have also begun to check out or purchase the books, something that may attest to the cross-generational appeal of the stories and characters.

Joyce O’Donnell, books buyer for University Book Store, noted that college students often say that they are purchasing the books for a younger sibling. However, she believes that the books are not always just gifts.

“I’m sure they’re reading them before they pass them on,” O’Donnell said.

The books speak far beyond the confines of children’s literature, and in this age of technology, there must be some explanation as to why students would stop surfing the Internet and put off homework to read about a young wizard-boy.

Niday feels there are many reasons why college students can identify with Harry.

“I would say that it’s enjoyable for college-age students and adults just because they are fun,” Niday said. “I think that Rowling has a wonderful sense of humor. In with it, there’s a lot of plays on words.”

Other reasons that may help explain the broad appeal of Harry Potter include the books’ ability to remind older readers of their own childhood literature. The stories can be a way for college students to escape and recall the nostalgia of children’s books.

“They’re very captivating,” explained “Harry Potter” fan Melissa Sampson, senior in elementary education. “The story just keeps moving; you don’t want to put it down. It’s very active.”

Witches and Wizards and Magic, Oh My

But not all reactions to the books have been positive.

Concern has struck a number of parents across the nation, who have forbidden their children from reading the books. They worry about their childrens’ exposure to material that contains possible Satanic undertones.

“Books nowadays are trying to make kids grow up fast,” Elizabeth Mounce, a mother of two from South Carolina, told the New York Times in November. “They’re trying to disguise things as fun and easy that are really evil.”

Mounce made a speech at a state school board meeting that condemned Rowling’s works.

Focus on the Family, a Colorado-based Christian organization, reported it has received 160 concerned phone calls about the books.

All of this has led to some clergy preaching against the books, claiming them to be the work of Satan.

Niday feels these criticisms are completely unfounded.

“When I consider that a lot of our classic literature contains a lot of supernatural elements, then I think their criticism is not valid,” Niday said. “I think that it is rather ridiculous that they are concerned about the Harry Potter books.”

However, she can understand why parents might object to the books. By giving their children positive literature, parents can control the ideas their children are exposed to, thus rendering them ‘safe.’

“But I do think we need to be realists and have students also read about problems and challenges in the world and how to overcome them,” Niday said.

Pointing out examples such as C.S. Lewis’ “The Chronicles of Narnia” and Shakespeare’s “Macbeth,” Niday believes if and once the novels are accepted as more than just popular fiction, they will not be challenged like they are today.

“Because this is current literature, it hasn’t built up the reputation for being considered a classic,” Niday said.

Looking into the Crystal Ball

The future of Harry Potter looks bright.

Steven Spielberg has signed on as director of the movie, the rights of which were purchased by Warner Bros. The next book is due out in July, and Rowling plans to continue, creating a seven-book series, with each book covering one year of Harry’s life at Hogwarts.

Elementary school teachers read the books to attentive classes who cannot get enough of the adventures of Harry and his friends. The books may eventually become part of some English curriculum.

“It’s a really good model of effective writing and how to keep the suspense and interest of the reader,” Niday said.

However, there is still one uncertainty. Though the books have been incredibly popular so far, their longevity is still in question. Time will prove the books to be either worthy of “Chronicles of Narnia” comparisons or merely a fad.

“It’s going to depend upon the rest of the series and how well-written they are,” Niday offered. “It all hinges on the future books.”