Quote of the Day: an exerpt from the chapter “King’s Cross,” in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
“Tell me one last thing,” said Harry. “Is it real? Or has this been happening inside my head?”
Dumbledore beamed at him, and his voice sounded loud and strong in Harry’s ears even though the bright mist was descending again, obscuring his figure.
“Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?”
Reading is important. Books are real. The stories inside them might be made up, but for the time that our minds are engaged in the characters and their world, it feels real.
One of my favorite things to do with my sons is read. We still read a picture book when I’m in the mood even though they’re 10, 10, 12, and 16. When the Skippy John Jones books came out, my boys gathered on the bed together as the oldest read aloud, and the others clapped along to the interactive part. Even Miss Matilda (cat) wanted in on the action. (She’s trying to figure out if Curious George is more curious than she is.)
I was the first one in our family to read the Harry Potter books. I’d heard about them at writer’s conferences and the buzz around the bookstore, but what got me curious was seeing 6th grade boys lugging those big, fat books around, shutting out the world, even sitting long in a cold car in the middle of a Minnesota winter to finish a chapter. Hmm? What kind of magic is this J.K. Rowling creating?
From the first chapter of the first book, I discovered it. Rowling created a character that we care about. We’re rooting for him from the start, the boy who lived. We feel the injustice of him locked in the cupboard under the stairs. We’re annoyed at his so-called family. We can’t wait to ride The Hogwarts Express with him to a new school and a chance to discover who he really is.
In the end, this is a book about friendship, self-discovery, and good triumphing over evil. And, the magic that Ms. Rowling created is wonderful, clever, and engaging. Before the first movie was made, kids were dressing up for Halloween as characters from her book! We were waiting in line at midnight for the next release. We sat together and read the book. We’ve passed our copies from family member to family member until they’re tattered and torn. The first one is under my bed. The second one lost it’s middle and had to be discarded. Dust jackets are long gone. But, the stories live on.
Thank you, J.K. Rowling, for your marvelous imagination and the magic you created in readers.
Journaling Prompt: What books or stories do you pass around the family? Or, tell your Harry Potter stories.
When I was teaching I made the signal mistake of putting the Harry Potter books on my classroom bookshelf. Most of them — books I’d stood in line at midnight for — disappeared. I didn’t bother me too much, though. I figured I was creating some future readers.
I got in late on Harry Potter but when I read the first one, I was hooked! I read two a week until I caught up and waited in line for the seventh. From midnight until midnight, I sat curled up in my recliner reading and lamenting that last book.
Catherine Denton
It was a learning specialist in a book group I used to attend that got my Hubby and I hooked on the series. He’s read every single one of them aloud to me. It’s such fun to share books this way with your family. We’ve ready my daughter the first three and are taking a break till she’s old enough for the more YA books 4-7.
I love your analysis of the Harry Potter story, Mary. You’re right. It’s all about the character! 🙂 Lenore was right. 🙂
It inspires to think of all of these young people loving these good HP stories. They are full of love and integrity and community and redemption don’t you think? Have some children here who will be standing in the cold dark line this Friday to see the next newest movie.
I remember when I used to wait tables and kids would come in and read the Harry Potter books at the table. They couldn’t put them down. It was very cool to see kids so excited about reading.
As odd as it sounds, I still get emotional when I re-read/re-watch the books and the movies.
I started reading them when I worked in a little independent bookstore over 10 years ago. Book three had just come out and I was intrigued at this author constantly on the NY Bestseller List. Who on earth is Harry Potter? I remember asking.
I pulled a book off the shelf and started reading. I read three chapters before I remembered I was supposed to be working. The rest as they say, is history.
JK Rowling will forever be one of my literary heroes.
~Jen
The passion for Harry lives on! My daughter went to the midnight showing last night and will come home after 4 hours of sleep!
Isn’t it wonderful what creativity can spark!