Here's what anxious Harry Potter fans can do while awaiting 'Deathly Hallows'

By John Askew, Journal staff | Saturday, June 23, 2007

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With more than 325 million copies sold in 64 different languages, Harry Potter is quite possibly the most famous wizard in the Muggle world. 

(Click here to see a brief history of the Harry Potter series and sales.)

It’s only been a decade since the boy-wizard packed up his trunk and headed to Hogwarts for the first time. Now, after six books, the journey is coming to a close when the seventh and final installment, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” is released on July 21.

Eric Whites, an eighth-grader from Rapid City, said that he has been reading Harry Potter since he was in second-grade, and he likes the books because of Rowling’s writing style.

“When you read the books you get a picture in your mind of where it actually is, and it’s like this story you can see,” he said.

Although Whites is a fan of the series, he has mixed feelings about the upcoming release of the seventh, and final book. “I’m not that excited with the last book coming out, I’m kinda sad actually,” Whites said.

But whether readers are upset or overjoyed with the release, here are some great activities to keep newcomers and die-hard fans entertained until the release of “Deathly Hallows.”



Online fans

The Internet is a great place to chat with other Potter fans from around the world. Online resources include Harry Potter fan fiction, discussion boards dedicated solely to rumors of what is in “Deathly Hallows,” and more.

Mugglenet.com is not only the largest Harry Potter fan Web site out there, but it is also one of the most extensive. Author J.K. Rowling herself endorses mugglenet.com on her own official site, www.jkrowling.com. From thriving forums to an array of editorial content, any fan can stay entertained for hours debating what’s going to happen to Harry and company. Plus, there is a section with free downloadable media such as  screen savers, avatars and instant messenger icons.

Video clips

There are movie clips, spoofs, and   trailers available by the dozen, especially on video-sharing sites such as  www.youtube.com. Here are some videos worth watching. To find them, simply search by the title:

- Harry Potter OOTP

- Harry Potter Fan

- Harry Potter Video Game

Video games

As with any major blockbuster release, a video game is sure to follow. Although some fans believe that the past Harry Potter releases haven’t really pushed the boundaries of game development, they still let players immerse themselves in magical world.

Look for the upcoming release of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix on June 26.

Release parties

Two locations in Rapid City are hosting midnight release parties for the seventh Harry Potter book. Just be sure to reserve a copy ahead of time for the release party on Friday, July 20.

For more information, call Borders at 394-5334, and WaldenBooks, 348-7874.

Dressed for the party

If you’re planning on attending the midnight release party like millions of other fans around the world, then you might want to go in style. Here is a quick, inexpensive costume idea from that is much like what students wear at Hogwarts.

This costume idea comes from www.kidsdomain.com:

What you need:

Black robe

Broomstick

Black permanent marker

Black witch’s hat

Face paint

Glasses (see below)

How to make it:

Buy a black robe and witch’s hat, found at costume stores.

Write “Firebolt” on a broomstick with marker.

Use face paint to draw the lightning scar on your forehead.

Make glasses using Harry Potter Glasses pattern. The pattern is available at www.makingfriends.com/ glasses_harry_potter.htm

Scholastic is printing an unprecedented 12 million copies of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” which will be released at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, July 21. The American editions of the Harry Potter books are published under Scholastic’s Arthur A. Levine imprint.

In addition to the trade edition, a deluxe edition of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” will be published simultaneously.

It will feature a stunning wraparound cover illustration, and never-before-seen full color frontispiece art on special paper.  There is also an “Illustration Showcase” insert that features near scale reproductions of Mary GrandPré’s chapter openers.

The custom-designed slipcase is foil-stamped and contains a full-cloth case book that has been blind-stamped on the front and back cover with foil stamping on the spine. The book includes full-color endpapers featuring jacket art from the trade edition. The deluxe edition will be a total of 816 pages; the suggested retail price is $65 and the print run will be 100,000 copies.

“Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,” J.K. Rowling’s sixth Harry Potter book was released on July 16, 2005, and was the fastest-selling book in history selling 6.9 million copies in the first 24 hours.

All six Harry Potter books, “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets,” “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban,” “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” and “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,” have been No. 1 bestsellers in the Unites States, Britain and around the world.