J.K. Rowling Announces New Harry Potter Books and Scholastic Changes U.S. Title
The Wizarding World expands with upcoming 2027 releases and a major U.S. title change for the first novel ahead of the HBO television series.
The Harry Potter franchise is expanding once again as author J.K. Rowling has confirmed two new books slated for publication in early 2027. The upcoming hardcover releases arrive as part of the Pocket Potters series, offering fans fresh illustrated collectible guides centered on iconic characters from the Wizarding World.
Scheduled for release on February 23, 2027, in the United Kingdom and March 2, 2027, in the United States, the 32-page books will focus respectively on Professor McGonagall and the duo Fred and George Weasley. The volumes feature illustrations by Natalie Smith and Helen Brady, alongside character trivia, quotes, and Easter eggs designed to introduce new readers to the universe before they tackle the main novels.
These upcoming additions coincide with a flurry of activity surrounding the franchise, driven largely by the anticipation of a new streaming adaptation. The first season of the upcoming HBO Max television series is scheduled to premiere exclusively on December 25, 2026, with Francisca Gardiner and Jon Brown serving as showrunners and Mark Mylod directing.
Ahead of the television show's debut, Scholastic announced a major update for American readers regarding the very first installment in the series. The U.S. publisher will revert its title from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone to the original British title, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, aligning the domestic edition with the forthcoming television adaptation.
The newly released paperback tie-in edition features a fresh cover image pulled directly from the television series. The artwork depicts Dominic McLaughlin from behind, wearing a red Quidditch robe with the number 7 and the name Potter, walking through a snow-covered crowd. The publication also includes an HBO Max logo badge marking it as a new HBO original series.
Despite the updated cover art and the significant title change for American audiences, the narrative inside remains untouched. The original text stays completely intact word for word, featuring no new chapters or story alterations, while Dominic McLaughlin stars as Harry Potter alongside Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley and Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger.