Harry Potter by the numbers

Some 325 million copies of the books (hardback, paperback, and in translation) have been sold worldwide. The books are available in 65 languages and sold in 200 territories. For a decade, they have been enthralling readers of all ages with wizardry, endearing characters, suspense, and countless quirky facts and oddities that fans relish discussing.

1. HARRY POTTER AND THE PHILOSOPHER'S STONE – June 1997, UK. The tale that Joanne Rowling wrote in Edinburgh cafes to keep her newborn daughter warm and escape a chilly and dank apartment was typed on a typewriter. Readers are delighted by the story of the boy wizard-in-training, lessons in potions, Quidditch, and The Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It sells 100,000 copies in its first year in Britain and is acquired by US-based publisher Scholastic for $100,000 – the highest advance ever for a first-time author's book for children. Film rights to the seven books planned are secured by Warner Brothers by the end of 1998.

2. HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS – July 1998, UK; June 1999, US, 341 pages. Harry and school friends, bullies, and ghosts reappear in the second title, also written in cafes around Edinburgh. It becomes a bestseller in the UK, a feat achieved by only a few other children's books by authors such as Roald Dahl and C.S. Lewis.

3. HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN – July 1999, UK; September 1999 US, 431 pages. The third title makes its debut as the fastest-selling book in British history.

4. HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE – July 2000, 734 pages. Many bookstores plan elaborate events for the fourth book's release, hosting 'Harry Potter' parties for costumed fans at midnight in Britain and the United States. This is the first title to be published simultaneously on both continents.

5. HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX – June 2003, 870 pages. Despite the epic-sized tome, the maturing Harry continues to draw. The book sells 11 million copies in 12 weeks, 5 million the first day alone.

6. HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE – July 2005. 652 pages. A book with darker themes, suspense, and death, its publication ends weeks of wondering, selling 9 million copies in Britain and the US in the first day of release. The sixth book is the first to be shorter than the previous volume.

7.HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS, to be published July 21 in English-speaking countries worldwide, 784 pages. First printing: 12 million. High security reportedly surrounds the book's distribution, which will take place the day before. Precautions include security guards at printing plants, warehouses in undisclosed locations, and steel chains wrapped around shipments.