Wednesday, June 18, 2003
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Wednesday, June 18, 2003 |
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Harry Potter mania returns with release of fifth book By MICHAEL
BOYLAN Harry is coming back. Finally. The long awaited fifth installment of the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling, "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" will be released at midnight on June 21 and Potter-mania will begin once again. Barnes and Noble in Fayetteville will be getting in on the action with a party starting at 10 p.m. on Friday, June 21 and leading up to the book's release at midnight. When we last left Harry and his friends, Ron and Hermione, they had seen the International Quidditch Cup, Harry had a crush on Cho Chang, the Tri-Wizard Cup ended in a draw and Harry had to go back to the Dursley's for the summer. "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" will start with Harry still disliking living with the mean Dursely family and facing a year at Hogwarts where he must deal with new teachers, a disgruntled house elf, Ron as the keeper on the Gryffindor Quidditch team and, of course, final exams. To call the Harry Potter books successful is a gross understatement. Advance sales of the newest book began months ago and the book is certain to be on the best seller list for months to come. The books are translated in to a number of languages and have found fans in nearly every nation in the world. In addition to the books, the movies based on the first two books are blockbusters and production on the third film, "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban," is already underway. "The anticipation surrounding the release of the Harry Potter books has been unprecedented," said William Adams, assistant store manager of Barnes and Noble in Fayetteville. "In response to customer demand, we will stay open past midnight in order to provide an opportunity for those who wish to be among the first to purchase a copy of Harry Potter V and have loads of fun at the same time." The Potter party at Barnes and Noble will feature magician Ken Scott as well as several Harry Potter related contests including look-alike contests and a trivia challenge. Prizes will be given for the best Harry Potter, Hermione and best "other character" costume based on the series. Registration for the party starts at 10 p.m., the look-alike contest starts at 10:30 p.m. followed by the trivia challenge at 11 p.m. and Ken Scott at 11:15 p.m. The Harry Potter activities continue at Barnes and Noble at 2 p.m. Saturday with the Harry Potter Books into Art Contest. Fans with an artistic talent are invited to take their favorite part of any Harry Potter book and create a drawing of that scene. Judges will be on hand and a grand prize of a $50 shopping spree at Barnes and Noble will be awarded. Barnes and Noble will also offer the Harry Potter book club at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, June 24-July 29. Kids are invited to read the new Potter book with new friends in a book club format. Each week the group will discuss a few chapters, play games and guess what happens next. Of course, those not willing to pay for the next Potter adventure can turn to their local library. All three libraries in Fayette County will have copies of the book and waiting lists will start once the book reaches the catalog, which should be as early as Friday for most libraries. The libraries are also excellent places to turn to pick up the first four installments of the series, either to refresh your memory or to enter the magical world of wizards, giants, elves and muggles. It has been a long wait for fans of the series, but the wait is finally over. Pour yourself a tall glass of lemonade, settle back into your favorite chair and enjoy the book. That's what this reporter is planning to do anyway.
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