Whether you're a novice or a "Potterphile," "The Complete Idiot's Guide to the World of Harry Potter" is a must-have reference. Rather than focusing on plot points, Tere Stouffer details the linguistic, etymological and literary details to the Harry Potter series. Stouffer also offers translations for the American audience who may not understand the British slang. This book was published in late 2007, so it includes information from Deathly Hallows. ( )

Covering everything from The Ministry of Magic to Draughts and Potions, "The Complete Idiot’s Guide to The World of Harry Potter" is a handy reference for novice and Harry Potter experts alike. The book gives readers an understanding of the origins of Rowling’s work. It can be read from cover to cover, in sections, or by chapters of interest. The book is divided into five user-friendly sections. Sprinkled throughout the chapters, the author includes “boxes” that clarify wizarding terminology, explain unfamiliar British terms, discuss how the story ties into mythology, folklore, and biblical myths, and give travel tips that guide the reader around the wizarding world. Also provided, are list of “wizarding websites” that will be of interest to avid fans, and a glossary of British terms that can be used to easily locate and understand unfamiliar British terms that appear in the series.

Whether you are attending a Harry Potter party and need a crash course, or whether you are a hardcore fan and need to do some fact checking, this book is an ideal resource. The information is organized in an easy-to-use format that is not overwhelming. Readers will appreciate the smaller trim size (6 X 9) which fits nicely in any backpack. ( )