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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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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
Head Girl
Points: 457
fawkes17 says:
She's gonna win. There is no contest here. What is better than gettinf millions of kids and adults to use their brains before they turn into mush from watching TV? Reading rules, and JKRowling is the queen.
Posted Sep 1, 2004 at 6:58 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1247
Matt12 says:
I hope she wins, she deserves a Knighting. Easily the best childrens writer of her time.
Posted Sep 2, 2004 at 5:14 AM EST
Student
Points: 235
Keeper_of_Power says:
Now this is a story worth looking at... Orlando Bloom and JK rowling... Just what I always wanted the hottest guy and the answers to all my question on HP...
Back to the subject here: it's good for JK! Hope she wins and she would definatly have all our votes here...
Posted Sep 3, 2004 at 12:35 AM EST
Harry's Soul-Mate
Points: 3337
Lea says:
Well, I would surely built her a statue, for SHE TOTALLY DESERVES IT!!!
:D
Posted Sep 3, 2004 at 1:02 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1688
Woodfan says:
She is so definetly a hero!!! and so is Orlando Bloom ;) hee hee
Posted Sep 4, 2004 at 12:58 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2337
Ms.Black says:
People should honor her now that she is alive. Why wait until she is dead? She is a modern-day hero, and by the time she dies, she won't be a MODERN-DAY hero.
Posted Sep 4, 2004 at 3:10 PM EST
Witch
Points: 617
S.Black13 says:
Yeah i see those posters everywhere. Especially at school and the library of couse! They should put her on one of those, but a statue, I think thats going a little far myself.
Posted Sep 10, 2004 at 11:36 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 887
Magic_Ty4 says:
She should win but does anyone really want to look at a statue of themselves, what if they mess up and you look all crudy!
Posted Sep 11, 2004 at 8:16 PM EST
Witch
Points: 548
Pepstepper16 says:
Yeah, she is definetly a hero! I mean, think about all those kids out there who didn't like to read before reading her books, and then they love reading! Yeah, she deserves it.
On another note, Orlando is definetly the way to get people to the library (at least, people like me).
Posted Sep 13, 2004 at 8:40 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 371
notGryffGuy37 says:
I have no reservation in saying that JKR has done amazing things for the reading habits of the world. Both children and adults. When I was in High School I spent several hours and lunches helping underpriveleged kids learn to read, so the arrival of Harry Potter was very amazing and inspiring to me. Not only did it encourage kids read, but it made them WANT to read. I think that what JKR has done so far is more than most will do well after they're dead, so why not give her a statue now?
Posted Sep 18, 2004 at 12:43 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 418
shimmeraei says:
I do believe she deserves it. Not because I'm a steady supporter of her books and whatnot, but because she is such a wonderful writer. She came up from the depths of desolation (-being poetic myself!-) and poverty...and look where she is now. Not only should she be acknowledged for her amazing works, but her own amazing story.
Posted Feb 21, 2005 at 3:53 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1656
DracosBarbie says:
Should definately.... *voice trails off* IS THAT ORLANDO BLOOM???? what was I say.... *drooling* now... that... should... be....a ... statue... i'd.... want.... one... in... my... room.....
Posted May 16, 2005 at 9:41 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1482
Xavier McCorkle says:
If she doesnt win we should make signs and protest!!! JKR is fricken awesome who wouldnt want a statue of her in the city.
Posted Jun 9, 2005 at 2:18 PM EST
Witch
Points: 870
caraMEL_penguin says:
Well I think it is going to be a long time before there is a statue of JK Rowling... because well she is still kinda young and is well expected to like a long time... I absolutly love the picture of Orlando bloom in that read picture... I LOVE ORLIE!! *hehehe* but I love Harry Potter more... <33333
Posted Jun 17, 2005 at 2:51 PM EST
Mage of Celestial Melody
Points: 3324
Telos says:
Welll I don't think that is really wise.. I mean there are plenty more important people who deserve that honor. not to bash Jk i love her and her books.
Posted Oct 8, 2005 at 11:12 PM EST
The Dark Lady
Points: 5085
Mrs Riddle/Lady Voldemort says:
um, HELLO! she's written the only books that I can willingly read straight through without losing interest for a second, (and that's saying something), people rush to the bookstores like escaped convicts who haven't seen the light of day in years whenever a new HP book is released, and the theaters are packed when an HP movie is playing.
...need I say more? This woman is definitely my hero, without a doubt.
Posted Nov 12, 2005 at 7:28 PM EST
Witch
Points: 913
MaeMuffin[DOT] says:
She so deserves that
I hope she wins it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted Nov 24, 2005 at 8:49 PM EST
Witch
Points: 893
Divadancer4life says:
She is a hero in a sense because she has encouraged more kids to read.
Posted Dec 11, 2005 at 2:43 AM EST
Student
Points: 258
white_tiger2200 says:
Well, that's quite an honor! I must say that to get kids into reading again is heroic in my opinion because I know soo many people who don't like to read and many of them have bad vocabulary! I think reading helps people escape their lives for a moment and imagine something new, and it also helps us use better spelling, which is good if you are trying to write a professional letter or something! I mean, just think about it! I know without books, I would lead a dull, boring life and I would definetly not have a career as a writer picked out! I thank books for that!
Posted Dec 14, 2005 at 11:50 AM EST
Rickmaniac to the Core
Points: 2564
snaily says:
For fun, I created a mock-up of Jo's potential statue modeled after The Thinker by Auguste Rodin.
Oh my! That picture is a keeper! Hahaha ... :D
Posted Dec 22, 2008 at 6:12 AM EST
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