The first Harry Potter novel was published in 1997. Since then the Harry Potter series has become a publishing phenomenon, selling over 250 million copies worldwide. The Harry Potter books are sold in more than 200 countries and have been translated into 60 different languages from Hindi to Ancient Greek.

The novels have also been successfully adapted for the big screen. The first three films have all been smash hits at the box office. The most recent film ‘Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban’ broke records in the UK, taking ￡11.5 million in its first three days on release . It went on to take more than $750 million worldwide!

It has been an incredible journey for the author of the books, JK Rowling. Just seven years ago she was a single mother writing her books in a café. Now she is a multi-millionaire, Britain’s richest woman and ranked as the world’s best-paid author.

It is difficult to pinpoint the secret to the Harry Potter series’ success. For whatever reason, the books have captured the imagination of millions of readers from around the world. Fans are passionate about the books and films, and there are many websites devoted to Harry and his friends and enemies.

Indeed, there has been a great deal of gossip and speculation surrounding the new book. However, for the moment the story remains a well-guarded secret . If you want to know what happens in the sixth Harry Potter book, you’ll just have to read it!

GLOSSARY 词汇表 (收听发音, 请单击英语单词)

novel 小说 published worldwide 全球出版发行
wizard （男）魔法师；男巫 publishing phenomenon 出版业的奇迹
the big screen 荧屏 smash hits 巨大成功
box office 票房 on release 出版；发行
single mother 单身母亲 to pinpoint 精确查明
captured the imagination
捕获…的想像力；使…极度着迷 gossip
闲话；流言蜚语
speculation 猜测 well-guarded secret 严守的秘密