WNY Ready to Party Over New Harry Potter Book

The wait is almost over for millions of Harry Potter fans around the world! The final book, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows", will be released at 12:01 a.m. Saturday.

[Jay]

There is too much hype for this book. Come on people, this is a story book. No one's life depends on it and the author has already made a fortune from the previous books. Get a life!

[READ MORE WATCH LESS]

People can say what they want about this book- but it got kids reading... As a teacher who worked in an inner city school where several parents/ gaurdians "banned" Harry Potter b/c it is "evil", the "devil" or witchcraft- look at the ELA scores compared to our suburban districts. Sometimes you can't change old ideas and stubborness. The Harry Potter series got kids reading rather sitting around eating junk food and playing violent video games, watching filthy music videos which objectify women, drug use and vulgar language.

[Kim Krug]

Another Party site to add.....Crossroads Books in Clarence Center,NY. Party begins at 11:30pm with food and games. Everyone is encouraged to dress up as your favorite character, prizes will be awarded. Pre-ordered copies of the book will be distributed at 12:01am!

[inkling]

A children's book being published... wow, there's big worthy news! That's like Sorrento cheese announcing in the that they'll be making cheese today.

[inkling]

Kim Krug wrote:

Another Party site to add.....Crossroads Books in Clarence Center,NY. Party begins at 11:30pm with food and games. Everyone is encouraged to dress up as your favorite character, prizes will be awarded. Pre-ordered copies of the book will be distributed at 12:01am!

HEY KIM! WHAT'S NEW?!

[Real World]

thanks for some decent perspective, Inkling. and get over yourself JK Rowling.

I think I've read this before, wasn't it called "the Chronicles of Narnia"? or was it "the Hobbit"?

if this book is what occupies people's time, it just demonstrates our astounding cultural bankruptcy.

[Real World]

Kim Krug wrote:

Another Party site to add.....Crossroads Books in Clarence Center,NY. Party begins at 11:30pm with food and games. Everyone is encouraged to dress up as your favorite character, prizes will be awarded. Pre-ordered copies of the book will be distributed at 12:01am!

any booze, dammit ?! what is this Halloween ???

[Well read]

Real World wrote:

<quoted text>
any booze, dammit ?! what is this Halloween ???

Now that shows culture....go pick up a book (any book providing it's not just pictures) and read it...it could only improve your current cultural standing.

[OPINIONATED]

PEOPLE, IT'S A BOOK, GET A LIFE. IF YOU WOULDN'T MAKE SUCH A BIG DEAL, LET TIME MARCH ON AND THEIR WILL BE PLENTY OF BOOKS FOR EVERYONE. HOW COME EVERYONE DOES NOT GET SO EXCITED ABOUT THE PLAYMATE OF THE YEAR AND CAMP OUT FOR THAT?

[Jamie Lynn]

We took our boys up to Wegmans on Transit in Depew to get the new Harry Potter book. It was great fun; all the kids were dressed like witches and goblins. There looked like there was about 300 - 400 people there and Wegmans provided a nice little pre-book party in the cafe area. At about 5 minutes to midnight, employees brought out large flatbed carts with cases of Harry Potter books on them. As they passed the lines of people, everyone cheered!:) A few minutes later, an employee yelled, "One more minute!" and everyone screamed with delight! Wegmans had 3 check out lines open and it was very orderly. We were at the back of the line and had our books within 20 minutes. It was a very well run and fun event by Wegmans! One girl said she came to Wegmans after being told by Borders that it would be at least 2am before she got a book. We purchased 2 copies, one for each of the boys, and they were home in their rooms by 12:30 reading them!:) I don't expect to see them for at least a week, the books are 750+ pages!:)

As far as it being just a book, sure it is. But so many kids don't read enough today. Reading has been the greatest joy of my life and it makes me happy when I see kids enjoying books. As we waited in line, I really enjoyed seeing the kids who got their books already so happy and opening them up in the store to catch a glimpse of the first pages. Honestly, it brought tears to my eyes.

On the way out of the store, I saw three teenage girls reading aloud to each other with their book rested on the carts by the door. I had to laugh when I noticed that they were reading the last page.

As far as it being about witchcraft and sorcery, I guess thats up to each individual parent how they feel about that. Seeing I make a living by selling supplies for Wiccans, it's certainly not a problem in my household.:)

[Jamie Lynn]

Real World wrote:

thanks for some decent perspective, Inkling. and get over yourself JK Rowling.
I think I've read this before, wasn't it called "the Chronicles of Narnia"? or was it "the Hobbit"?
if this book is what occupies people's time, it just demonstrates our astounding cultural bankruptcy.

I'm thinking most of these kids probably haven't read the Chronicles of Narnia. I don't think its an indication of cultural bankruptcy at all. I'll admit that I've never read any of the books, I did take the kids to see the first movie and I was entertained by it. I thought it was good.

It's just fun entertainment for the kids and young adults. People are way too stodgy nowadays. I bet you read alot of books that other people thought were culturally bankrupt. Lighten up. If the book didn't have merit, Rowling wouldn't be richer than the Queen right now.:)

[Ray]

Narnia is nothing but mind-numbing Christianity in the form of a movie.

c.s. lewis and his lil bible thumper books/movies are out there to subliminally convey his religious messages

[Sarah]

Some people do not want to know anything about the book before they have a chance to read theirs. I was unable to go get a copy and midnight and find it hard to watch your morning show this morning because I do not want any reviews of the book until I have a chance to get mine at 10 am this morning.

I think this was a poor choice on your part/

[Lori]

It has been fun to watch these last 10 yrs, all the excitement over Harry Potter! I agree, ANYONE that gets kids to read, is a great inspiration.
Imagine standing in line for a book rather than a XBox, etc.
I am sorry to see the excitement end.
I have read some of the books, they are imaginative and interesting. I can't wait to see how JK Rowling has inspired a youth or 2 to go beyond that!

[jim]

it's only a book.

[ColoradoCountryG irl]

jim wrote:

it's only a book.

Right! And the Grand Canyon is only a big ditch !!!

[ddsfs]

7 books brought the children and adults of the world to read this series! It is the second book phenomenon after the Bible.
You can not dismiss these books, they are brilliant books filled with imagination and good values.

[Jamie Lynn]

ColoradoCountryGirl wrote:

<quoted text>
Right! And the Grand Canyon is only a big ditch !!!

Well said!:)

I guess the entertainment value of things is in the eyes of the beholder. I'm not a sports fan, LOL. I never understood why people are willing to pay $200 for tickets to see men skating around on ice chasing a puck. I mean come on, whats the big deal with that? I'd rather watch my dog chase a ball around the backyard. It's just a bunch of guys chasing a puck, for crying out loud.

Harry Potter is more than just a book. It shows kids the value of reading and how much fun it can be. Kids learn by doing. My son was a poor reader and he learned fast because he wanted to know what the writings on the screen said on his first video game when he was five years old. These Harry Potter books are huge, just the act of reading them is improving the reading skills of millions of kids. My son is now an excellent reader at 13 years old with better skills than I have. He had his nose in his new Harry Potter book until 5am last night and fell asleep holding it.

[Kimberly]

jim wrote:

it's only a book.

And Niagara Falls is just a leak.

[inkling]

Are you guys serious about that, or is it sarcasm? Is a Harry Potter storybook being published really THAT earthshattering?