This unofficial guide to J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series is a 368 page companion work perfect for the curious reader who wants to know more about these remarkable books. Named one of 15 Great Web Sites for Kid by the Association For Library Services, a division of the American Library Association, the Lexicon is an authoritative, fun to read reference to the series.For years fans who have heard Vander Ark keynote academic conferences on the Potter series have asked him for a book based on his website that attracts more than 25 million visitors annually. Extensive new commentary, which does not appear on the Lexicon website adds to the fun of reading this fascinating book. The author has been featured around the world in more than 1,000 articles appearing in publications like the New York Times, The New Yorker, The London Times, The International Herald Tribune and the Associated Press as well as National Public Radio, the BBC and CNN. A must for serious students of this classic series as well as fans of all age, the Lexicon adroitly indexes the Potter world, offers insights on the popular movies and includes hundreds of etymologies that explain the origins of names, places and spells invented by the author. Citations make it easy to find fictional facts spread across the million word plus series. The entire book is perfectly cross referenced with J.K. Rowling's interviews, public statements and appearances. The essential unauthorized literary companion to these wonderful novels, the Lexicon is the result of eight years of prodigious research. It provides fascinating analysis, new insights and a deep appreciation of Rowling's work.