I agree that it definately is hard to get through the first time, since it is pretty hard to sort out names and places. What I did was read a bit of it, and really think through it in my head, until I remembered the names and got it pretty well analyzed. After I got about half way through, I read a couple light books by Meg Cabot (very good and funny author!!) and picked it up again, and finished it. After that, I've read it tons of times, and I love it!!! It's one of my favorite books!!! I guess it's hard the first time, since there is SO much new stuff, but as you keep reading it, then you know something more each time you start it , making it easier to pick up things. It's like everytime you read it, you build on to the knowledge that you already have, making it easier each time. (Hope that made sense...?)

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"Hogwarts will always be there to welcome you home."