Harry Potter is definitely shelved in the fantasy section, but
certain elements of the series pertain to real life. A Tuscon
museum exhibit studies connections between J.K. Rowling’s
magical world and our own, in an article from NBC. The Harry
Potter stories have been an inspiring literacy phenomenon, and
the roots of the story are actually based in Renaissance
beliefs, practices and studies. The U.S. National Library of
Medicine has conjured up a fun and educational multimedia
exhibit exploring the roots of Harry Potter’s world of wizardry
in Western sciences. …It features a “Hogwart’s Potions
Laboratory,” including pharmaceutical materials loaned by the
History of Pharmacy Museum, a collection of wands, historical
illustrations of monsters and magical beasts, and more. What is
your favorite aspect of wizarding culture?