Emily Peck

Dear Jo Rowling,

As nerdy as it sounds, I spent most of this past summer on the computer. I know you're wondering what this has to do with Harry Potter but, more on that later. For now I think it best to start at the beginning,

The Harry Potter series first came into my life in the summer between first and second grade when my mother started reading Sorcerer's Stone aloud to me. I remember those nights well. I would take out the book and put it on her pillow and when she would read I would look at the book over her shoulder until she pushed me away for being too close. It wasn't long before I read the entire book myself. With this began my love affair of sorts with books and the written word.

As you can see I grew up with your books and they have been a huge part of me. It's hard to remember a time when I wasn't devouring the latest installment or waiting for the next one and even stranger to think of the first/second grader I was when I first learned of the boy with the lightening bolt-shaped scar. Since then I have become so attached with the characters that I think of them as friends rather that fictional characters. I cried when Fred died.

This book series had affected me so much I don't know who I would be with out it or the love of reading that it created in me. Books, not just yours but almost every one I have ever read, has made a difference in who I am. Books are my haven, my escape, and my way to live vicariously.

I have obviously changed and grown a lot as a person since I was six but I think I grew the most over this past summer when I started writing. Writing makes me think about life and myself. I can express myself through my characters and I now know writing is what I want to do with my life. I want to create something that will affect as many people as your books did and I want to be able to make people laugh, cry, or think. As 'young' as it sounds, I want to change the world and you have, in part, made me realize that.

Harry Potter may not have single-handedly done all this but it was what led to all the things that did and for this I am grateful. It's hard to put into words how your books led to who I am today, it would be like trying to explain how your mind races from thing to thing, but I know it involved lots of reading, insanely bad Harry Potter fan fiction, You tube, and a fantastic internet friend who has helped me through a few tough spots.

I could make this letter a lot longer but I'll end it here because the only other thing of real importance I have to say is thank you so very much. Oh, and by the way, this Raven claw shouts Alohomora at locked doors. I'm hopeless.

Sincerely,
Emily Peck