The overwhelming popularity of the Harry Potter books has prompted many people to ask: Why are they so popular among children? In addition, many of those who have probed the Harry Potter books for deeper meaning have asked: Are they simply a good read, or is there an underlying political message that the author intended to impart to children? While there is general agreement that politics is a major theme in the Harry Potter novels, critics have many interpretations of the nuances of this theme. The essays that follow explore politics in the Harry Potter series as well as contemporary perspectives on political issues raised in the series. - Introduction.