The influence of Harry Potter has reached around the globe and promoted literacy in such a way that has taken off faster than any Firebolt.

This best selling fantasy attracts not only children to the wonder of Potter’s world, but adults as well. Potter fans can be found on almost every continent, so it is no surprise they can be found on Eastern Michigan University’s campus.

The EMU Harry Potter Book Club celebrated its one year anniversary last Friday.

The club started as an idea and then formed by Wendy Gouine and Debbie Rae.

“I teach the CHL 137,” said co-founder Gouine. “My students had so much energy and there would always be four or five students after class still talking. I had space in the winter semester so Debbie and I just did it.”

At a typical meeting one of the seven books is chosen and a few chapters are selected. Members will then analyze what they think author J.K Rowling actually means in her book.

An example is where she might have gotten the idea for the Dementors (creatures who suck out your soul) and what they might represent in the human world.

“This is chance to get a break from the everyday hassles of college while getting to talk about something that you enjoy with others,” said biology major Samantha Thayer. “It’s a great way to meet new people and express yourself.”

However, this group does more then just read.

This past Christmas they offered their time at Briarwood Mall to read to children in support of the Karla Foundation. The foundation’s mission statement is “to foster the love of reading and the appreciation of books by providing new parents with material.”

For Potter fans, this club offers up a little something for everyone, including Quidditch. This magical sport had to be revamped to fit the muggle, or non-magical, world. The sport is a cross between dodgeball and capture the flag. The rules are still the same as they are in the book so the game does not end until the Snitch is caught.

The Harry Potter Book Club And Reading Group will be hosting their first convention “Expeditious” on May 15 at the Courtyard Marriott in Ann Arbor. It will have many different attractions such as an owl expert, booths for Tonks and the Aurors and many vendors. There will also be a Quidditch tournament with multiple colleges attending.
Meetings will be held every other Friday. The meeting schedule can be found on its Web site www.thefifthhouse.org.

“We are a really warm and inviting group,” said president and psychology major Amy Loviska. “Even if you like the movie and haven’t read the book we will explain it to you and make sure you are having fun.”