|
AUGUST 16, 2004 at 10:28 PM
Posted by CHEESER
Source: Various
The author who has been credited with turning on an entire generation of kids (and adults) to reading with her boy wizard series Harry Potter is being considered for an unusual honor: JK Rowling is one candidate for a statue
to celebrate Edinburgh's "modern-day heroes."
"I think its wonderful as she's a huge literary figure who has single handedly re-invigorated the children's market and encouraged so many children to take up reading again," said a spokeswoman for UK book chain Waterstone's. "She has delighted millions with her reading and made so many more authors start writing books for children as well."
But one resident told the city council it was premature to honor somebody still living. "I have nothing against JK Rowling or her writing but I think we have a tradition in Edinburgh of waiting until people have died before we put up a statue to them," he said.
(For fun, I created a mock-up of Jo's potential statue modeled after The Thinker by Auguste Rodin. Click here for the full-size image.)
Rowling's books, which in a study released by the American Library Association are among the most re-read fiction, have sold over 260 million copies worldwide. Others include the Lord of the Rings series, A.A. Milne's Winnie the Pooh and Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. Topping the list is Alice Walker's The Color Purple.
The ALA has tried to capture and use the magic created by the phenomenal success of Potter and Rings to keep the public interested in reading. One campaign (see photo above) even includes a photo of heartthrob Orlando Bloom (Lord of the Rings, Pirates of the Carribbean) to lure people to their local libraries.
Reader Comments (221)
Your Thoughts
click to write...
Copyright © 2002-2009 HPANA. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License. 
HPANA is an unofficial fan site, in no way affiliated with J.K. Rowling,
Scholastic Books, Bloomsbury Publishing or Warner Bros. Entertainment. All
trademarks and copyrighted material are the property of their respective owners.
About HPANA | Movie 6 | Send a news tip | Contact us | Privacy policy
Witch
Points: 562
accio_rupert says:
yeh i agree, do it when they are alive at least then they can admire themselves!!:P
xx
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 1:22 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 358
Madame Rosemerta says:
What a wonderful tribute to a woman who has brought so much joy to children and adults alike by giving us Harry Potter. Why wait until she's dead? Celebrate her contribution to the world with a statue!
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 1:25 PM EST
Witch
Points: 696
quidditch_seeker says:
They have that poster of Orlando at my school library. I want to steal it. That's awesome for her!
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 1:31 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1303
wahnaroo22 says:
If I didn't already like the Library, that Orlando Bloom picture would definintly make me go! I can't wait to see what they do with Jo!
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 1:49 PM EST
Witch
Points: 762
bewitched_gal says:
Its cool.After she had done so much for us.And she was the one because of whom we came to know anout daniel!!!!!!!!!!!!.
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 2:04 PM EST
Sugarquill Queen
Points: 2511
Irish Phoenix says:
yes!
A statue for the madame author!
wait for people to be deceased to have a statue of them erecteD?!
nope nope nope!
make one for her now... that would be only
a tiny tribute to what she's offered the world:
her books and imagination. not to mention the many
readers and authors she's inspired!
Go JK Rowling, for life!
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 2:25 PM EST
Witch
Points: 817
HermioneSparkles says:
As cool as that would be, I think they should wait until she has died many years from now. I think of Statues as sort of memorials and I think JK would be a bit freaked to see a statue of herself. It would freak me out I know that much.
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 2:29 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1269
Leira the Hobbit says:
Well how delightful for her to be considered for the honor, but if I were her, I'd decline it (merely on the grounds that it's not becoming).
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 2:53 PM EST
Witch
Points: 617
*_Johnny 4 EveR_* says:
Yayys for J.K!! Hope she wins cause she'd definitely get my vote.
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 3:04 PM EST
Hogwarts Matron
Points: 6285
potterpotty says:
Yeah, I dont think you should make a statue of somebody until they have died!!! iT WOULD BE GOOD TO SHE THE STATUE OF HER THOUGH! That doesnt mean I want her to die!
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 3:35 PM EST
Chief Quibbler Editor
Points: 2926
The Obsesser says:
Ferrets to all the stuff about Jo having to be dead. That my be tradition, but tradition can change, no matter what Tevye says. Go Jo!
Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 3:43 PM EST
Mediwitch
Points: 2608
nickyole1 says:
Oooooh, I love the picture of Orlando Bloom. He is just so cute! I think that JK Rowling one day should be considered for a statue, she has indeed gottne millions of kids and adults to read.
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 4:02 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 313
hockey_loser says:
Thats really cool! Orlando Bloome rules too!
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 4:10 PM EST
Student
Points: 225
Magical Angel says:
Ohhhhhhhhhh, a statue?!?!?!?! AWESOME! Well, good luck with that.
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 4:19 PM EST
Parselmouth
Points: 29083
Thestral Eyes says:
I hope she does get the honour, she definately deserves it! But it must be wierd having a statue of yourself...and all the other literary geniuses of the century, lots of them havent had a statue even decades after the books were writen, like tolkien. hope she gets 1! :)
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 4:24 PM EST
Brightest Star in the Sky
Points: 3762
Siriusly Black says:
Oh, I really hope she wins that, she definetely deserves it. And who cares if she's alive? That makes it all the more fun. That person who thinks they can wait till she's dead doesn't know what they're talking about.
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 4:32 PM EST
Lady of Godric's Hollow
Points: 5292
GodricsGirl says:
She should be honored. She has single-handedly changed the world of literature forever. I believe her books will still be popular a hundred years from now. The themes are timeless. I have found very few characters anywhere that I root for more than Harry.
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 5:12 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1208
danradcliffelovr says:
that's cool! I think she should win. I mean, I don't think that there's anyone who hasn't at least heard of the Harry Potter series. But I did not think too highly that "the tradition" is to wait until the person dies. So they're saying that they are going to wait until JK dies? I never thought of JK dying before...
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 5:14 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1208
danradcliffelovr says:
I agree with Banshee_05 They should have a READ poster of Daniel! I would probably go out and buy if I could....
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 5:17 PM EST
Witch
Points: 722
lotusblossom75 says:
Ok! It works for me. If she wins a statue then good for her. She deserves it.
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 5:37 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2022
Lac_Ov_Imajinashun says:
Oh that's great! I hope she gets it, she totally deserves it. She's a great person and writer.
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 5:46 PM EST
Witch
Points: 685
DANADDICT89 says:
Orli...wow, that is a brilliant way to lure people to read! They'll just oogle the photos in the book instead of the words...smart. I do think Orli is hot...but that's just a very thick thing to do. I think that they SHOULD build a statue of Joanne, she has done something many authors would hope to achieve. Get children to read. Its a great achievement and she created this magical world that if we wouldn't have it know, you'd know there would be something missing.
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 5:48 PM EST
Student
Points: 210
kachosweet says:
I like this article! Is really cool that JKR do that!
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 5:50 PM EST
Witch
Points: 832
latinabloomlova says:
I totally agree. She's inspired many and helped many. Oh and that Orlando Bloom pic is cute!
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 6:18 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 330
alicia marie says:
When I think of Rowling I think of her as an hero! I think that she should win. Orlando is just so cute... but not as cute as Dan (of course).
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 6:19 PM EST
Seer
Points: 15207
Brittany Radcliffe says:
AHHHHHHHHHHHHH AN ORLI POSTER!!
hahaha YEP THAT LURED ME TO READ MORE!!!!!!!!
but hahahahaha o man that would be funny...a statue of JK. but that would also be an honor.
*is proud of JK but is too busy staring at Orli*
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 6:25 PM EST
Back to top of page