Harry grabbed his broom. “No!” shouted Hermione Granger. “Madam Hooch told us not to move — you’ll get us all into trouble.” Harry ignored her. Blood was pounding in his ears. He mounted the broom and kicked hard against the ground and up, up he soared; air rushed through his hair, and his robes whipped out behind him — and in a rush of fierce joy he realized he’d found something he could do without being taught — this was easy, this was wonderful. He pulled his broomstick up a little to take it even higher, and heard screams and gasps of girls back on the ground and an admiring whoop from Ron.

From “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” J. K. Rowling.

When I saw my grandchildren read and enjoy Harry Potter, I thought I would read the book. I like J. K. Rowling’s work. She creates a world of magic for our children. J. K. Rowling achieves a feat that adults have tried to do for a long time—get our little ones’ eyes off smartphones, iPads, and TV screens. Children’s eagerness to read these stories speaks for the tremendous job the author has done. I am also grateful to the savvy publisher who saved this book from the slush pile before it was shredded. It makes me wonder how many other jewels lie drowned in the ocean of books published every year.