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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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Mrs. Ronald Weasley
Points: 2606
hplover234 says:
I think she should totally win.
She has my vote.
Good luck to her.
Posted Aug 19, 2004 at 7:54 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1614
hermy-ninny712 says:
That would be so cool! A statue of Jo!
Posted Aug 19, 2004 at 11:11 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 348
robin777 says:
I think that it would be wonderful for her. I can understand though if the tradition is waiting until the person is dead. I however think you should honor a person while they are still living.
Posted Aug 19, 2004 at 11:12 PM EST
Student
Points: 273
Lily's heir says:
Go Rowling Go!!!!
But why honoring a person not until she is dead?? That's stubid!!! Then she can't enjoy that!
Posted Aug 20, 2004 at 10:06 AM EST
Student
Points: 229
Walcnevar~Erised says:
Well, I think the statue'll be for the famous dead people, REALLY sorry.
Posted Aug 20, 2004 at 10:22 AM EST
Ron's Love Advisor
Points: 5895
~Sarah~ says:
Cool J.K desevres to win Go J. O. She got so many kids into reading. People of any age can enjoy her books. I wish that Orlando poster was in my libary.
Posted Aug 20, 2004 at 7:37 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1166
ThelostWeasley13 says:
She should be be on a staute. Who's cares if she is still living. I would totaly vote for her!
Posted Aug 20, 2004 at 9:32 PM EST
Points: 2203
Disillusioned78 says:
A statue for JKR?! Hmmmmm...well I suppose that's a huge thing to offered to a person. Heck, I would like to have a statue! Go for it JK!
Posted Aug 20, 2004 at 9:50 PM EST
Points: 3723
emma'shockeyplayer says:
Thats really cool and i knew that they had to be up there somewhere...
I really hope that she is able to become a statue in edinburgh because it would be cool to have a statue of yourself...
Posted Aug 20, 2004 at 10:34 PM EST
Witch
Points: 761
MrsKatzz says:
JK Rowling has ushered in a whole new breed of readers the likes of which haven't been seen since the Babysitters club. I mean honestly this woman has managed to bring together every type of person who has ever wanted to read. I have a 5 year old student who just wants to learn to read to get through one harry potter book.
Posted Aug 21, 2004 at 1:36 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 28
aristides says:
A hero? Yes, maybe, in a way, but I don't really think so. (Or maybe I just don't understand what they mean by a hero....??? I don't know.) But that would really be great.
Posted Aug 21, 2004 at 10:08 AM EST
Squib
Points: 113
RadcliffeSlave says:
Our hero will make sure HBP rocks as hard as the other books
as we wonder if our Hero will have another hero.More info
at JKR offical site!
Posted Aug 21, 2004 at 1:29 PM EST
Witch
Points: 532
Obsessed-Harry-N-Dan-Fan says:
That would be cool to have that honour. i never really though of Jo as a hero. But imagine walking down the street and seeing a statue of yourself and people taking pictures of it and stuff. maybe it would be better to get one once your dead.
Posted Aug 21, 2004 at 5:44 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1140
dan's girl says:
She should definately win...she deserves to win ...i mean come on she HAS to win ....i wonde what the real statue would look like...?oh well Good luck to J rowling....!!!
~basma~
Posted Aug 22, 2004 at 7:56 AM EST
Witch
Points: 688
hpgirl0701 says:
Woah, GO JK! She is such an amazing author and I hope she wins! She deserves it so much; her impact on kids, teens, and adults is just amazing!
Posted Aug 22, 2004 at 2:04 PM EST
Witch
Points: 908
siriusly_in_denial says:
i love orlando bloom
he is so hot
i think she should have a statue
that would be awsume
i also love sirius
HE DIDNT DIE!!!
Posted Aug 22, 2004 at 9:06 PM EST
US Ambassador of Magic
Points: 5170
hyperactivenerd says:
Yay for Jo! She's amazing and deserves a statue. Heck, she deserves her own national holiday! I know HP is the most re-read, I constantly read Harry Potter over again. Jo deserves every honor she receives. People who think differently are just jealous of her amazing talent and creativity!! Yay!!! I hope she wins!! That would be awesome.
Posted Aug 22, 2004 at 11:56 PM EST
Student
Points: 273
sourapplekicker says:
Wow... That's got to be a very awesome honour... I would love to see a statue of her made before I die!
♥
Posted Aug 23, 2004 at 12:17 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 68
vepal says:
She defenetly deserves to be in the runung.
Posted Aug 23, 2004 at 10:32 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 22
evil little person says:
why a statue? a plaque would be good enough. o well, at least its RANDOM.
Posted Aug 23, 2004 at 1:02 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 335
Jamie loves Cedric says:
She definately has to win, she can count on my vote.
Posted Aug 24, 2004 at 3:08 PM EST
Student
Points: 212
TomFeltonsLady005 says:
me personally- i would hate to have a statue of me. Its kind of weird how they think of her as a hero.
Posted Aug 24, 2004 at 10:59 PM EST
Magical Music Professor
Points: 4812
MagicalMusicDreamer says:
I think JK Rowling should definitely get this honor! She is certainly an Edinburgh modern day hero. She has brought entertainment to the whole world!
I also think it is great that she is a female hero!
Posted Aug 24, 2004 at 11:37 PM EST
Witch
Points: 562
nearly-headless-spring says:
I whole-heartedly agree that JK Rowling is a modern day hero, I know some kids my age (20) who have never read a book unless it has to do with school!! I can't believe that, I love reading!! I would probly read my life away if I could, hehe. I think that she and the making of the Lord of the Rings movies have greatly infuenced modern kids to start reading more and that is a wonderful thing.
Posted Aug 27, 2004 at 5:01 PM EST
St. Mungo's Mental Patient
Points: 41815
Phil_ says:
That poster of Orlando still makes me laugh, do people actually start reading cos they see a poster with him and a book...?
Posted Aug 27, 2004 at 7:22 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2787
PunkyDunky says:
I think it is a great honor for her, however, I agree with the guy that said they usually make statues of dead people that have done the same things that she has. I think it would be prudent to wait at least for a few more years before creating a masterpiece with JK's body.
Posted Aug 30, 2004 at 3:58 PM EST
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