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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.
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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
Points: 351
~Aurora~ says:
I think she should get the award. To begin with, I hated reading so much, I always thought of it as a "waste of time." When the HP books came out I thought it was some stupid fad that would quickly be never thought of again. But a few years after the first book came out, I reconsidered the thought, because it was becoming even more popular. As soon as I started the first book, I couldn't put it down, and i was anxiously awaiting the arrival of the next book to hit bookstores. JKR has inspired many people and kids to continue reading, or start reading, like myself. I believe that she should get the award, after working so hard creating these novels, even when she had nothing, she still got it done. She's deserves this award!
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 6:26 PM EST
Sorcerer of Angmar
Points: 3373
The Witch King says:
I think that JK definatly deserves the honor. She has opened up a whole new world for us to enjoy. Anyone else notice that Orlando is holding a book with Prof. Tolkien's symbol on it. I just wonder what book it is.
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 6:51 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1217
mahaliah says:
That is awesome. She should win. Hmm... Orlando looks really cute. I have a big poster of him in my room. He;s just adorable.
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 6:52 PM EST
True Gryffie
Points: 2581
Harry_Potter_Lover says:
AHHH!!!!!!!! ORLANDO BLOOM!!!!!!!!!! AHH!!!!!!! *looks around* oh yea! GO JK, that would be so cool to have a statue, you dont have to be dead to have one!
*goes back to drooling at Orlando* *sigh*
~*~SAVANNA~*~
loves Orlando Bloom! hehe!
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 7:00 PM EST
Hufflepuff Princess
Points: 24832
Waddi Wasi says:
That'd be a landmark - they'd make tons of money because tourists and Potterists would come see it! I hope she gets the honor.
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 7:03 PM EST
The Quibbler Poet
Points: 7054
.:Wicked T:. says:
Like the Orlando Bloom Pic he is cute. But anyway JK should win! she DESERVES it 100% yes she does and she will win.
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 8:13 PM EST
Professional Beater
Points: 20891
feltonluver says:
Hehe that's freaking awesome and that picture of Orlando is hot. I am really glad for rowling, and i'm actually reading better.
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 9:10 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 316
Jessicka says:
First Congrates to Jo,I'd like to see the statue but it's probably gonna be in england and i'm in canada -_- second I personally hate Orlando Bloom,sorry to say but I don't think he's anything special.
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 9:15 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1068
Penumbra says:
What an honour for JK Rowling and she well deserves it. anyhow I can't stop thinking it must be the weirdest thing to be alive and have a statue right?
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 9:25 PM EST
Witch
Points: 741
Auror Tonks says:
Thats stupid... i mean "wait till she's dead..." what an encouraging thought for her children!!!!
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 9:30 PM EST
St. Mungo's Mental Patient
Points: 41829
Phil_ says:
I think that JKR would make a great statue, but that some people may see it as over the top for a writer, and thtat wouldn't be nice for her to hear that.
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 9:33 PM EST
St. Mungo's Mental Patient
Points: 41829
Phil_ says:
also, Orlando posters, it seems an odd way to get people to read, i would be interested to know what sort of impact it has had.
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 9:35 PM EST
Boy of Steel
Points: 4506
Superboy says:
Dude that's tight that she is being considered and I hope they decide on her, so she can have a statue of her own.
Eddie
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 10:25 PM EST
Witch
Points: 734
Fawkes' signal says:
More importantly than the statue, I'm glad she's got kids reading again. It's always frusterated me in school to listen to kids read out loud that just can't do it. Reading is so fun and such an escape and it DOESN"T make you a dork, but yet it's not emphasized anymore. The classics aren't classic anymore and I would hate to find out later all of the books I could have been reading.
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 10:31 PM EST
Ginny's Twin
Points: 3764
~Marie Antoinette~ says:
I hope Jo gets the honour of having a statue of her created. I will be keeping my fingers crossed.
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 11:01 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2308
QuidditchChickie says:
Aww she is a gret writer! Gotta love JK Rowling!
Nice picture of Bloom.....sigh! But a statue of her? Wow! Thats big!
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 11:43 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2218
annealicious says:
I would be nice to have someone recognized aside from all the actors/actresses/athletes etc. Not that they don't all play an important role in society, but every once in a while, it's nice to see an author or a philosopher or a scientist honoured. I agree with sassafraz, though, I don't think I could handle seeing a statue of myself around. Especially if it were in a place that I walk by on a regular basis.
Posted Aug 18, 2004 at 12:35 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1908
Opera Ghost says:
Great, I loved the mock-up photo! It would be a great honor, and well deserved, but I'm sure if it doesn't happen in her lifetime, she is still gratified by the difference she has made by her writing, and she no doubt will continue to add to her list of honors and awards she has earned already. But I don't think all that is what motivates her at all to write, I think it's just something inside you that you feel you must do, and it's fortunate for all of the rest of us that events fell into place that let her write and be published, and we all get to read and enjoy it.
Posted Aug 18, 2004 at 12:57 AM EST
Witch
Points: 502
maggie_and_mags says:
Cool! Imagine looking up at this great big block of stone and saying 'That is me.' But Orlando's face is so annoying, I covered up his face while reading the article.
Posted Aug 18, 2004 at 3:53 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1905
Amilin says:
She deserves it, nothing to it there. but really, A. A. Milne, tolkien, and walker are really good candidates, too. But whoever they choose, it had better actually LOOK like the author they're portraying. I wouldn't want to see a huge ugly gargoyle with a plaque saying my name on it.. o_0
but my favorite part of this article is no doubt the poster of Orlando! *screams* *faints*
gotta print that out as a poster and put it on my bedroom wall. It'll .. ah.. encourage me to read.. (read the poster over and over again, of course! ;) hehe)
Ami
Posted Aug 18, 2004 at 8:10 AM EST
Wizard
Points: 639
Cameron the House Elf says:
Cheeser:
I have an updated gif I put together for you.
Is there some way I can e-mail it to you?
I played around with your statue a bit. I think you might like it.
Let me know.
My contact info is in my profile.
It's all work for us house elves. :)
Posted Aug 18, 2004 at 8:49 AM EST
Wizard
Points: 639
Cameron the House Elf says:
http://www.virtualcameron.com/JK_diana.gif[/url]
[url]http://www.virtualcameron.com/statuemock_2.gif
Cheeser:
I know some people don't like to give out e-mail addresses, so you can link to them here for a while, until I decide to pull them.
Do let me know what you think though.
Posted Aug 18, 2004 at 9:14 AM EST
Wizard
Points: 639
Cameron the House Elf says:
http://www.virtualcameron.com/statuemock_2.gif
It seems that only one url is allowed per post. I don't usually post a lot of links in here. Sorry for my multiple postings.
Posted Aug 18, 2004 at 9:16 AM EST
Wizard
Points: 639
Cameron the House Elf says:
And then here:
http://www.virtualcameron.com/JK_diana.gif
Posted Aug 18, 2004 at 9:18 AM EST
Witch
Points: 838
jade19357 says:
I think JK deserves this. She has turned around a kinds of kids and adults. I have always been a reader but it was true crime or horror with out JK I would never have tried to read anything new. Thanks JK.
Posted Aug 18, 2004 at 10:44 AM EST
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