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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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Head Girl
Points: 401
munnii says:
Yeah! That would be so wicked! That would really boost tourism too..they should seriously consider it!
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 10:27 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1917
Rita Marvolo says:
WOW!!
that's very cool...
i think she should win, JK totaly deserves it!
she's our modern day living hero!!
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 10:32 AM EST
Student
Points: 245
beaglebabe86 says:
[b]GOOD IDEA!!![/b}
They can bend the "dead rule" a little (or a lot) for JKR--- she's awesome!!
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 10:35 AM EST
Profesora de la Paz
Points: 2824
Sassafras says:
Indeed, JKR has done more for encouraging youth to read than any other modern author...I'd say more than any author to date. Yet...there is something eerie about statues of living people. It's what megalomaniacs have done for themselves...much more Umbridge-esque than Rowlingesque. Hey, it would also be considered Riddle-esque and well, we could make an entire list of Deatheaters and add esque to the ends of their names. Nope, as much as I adore JKR, this is not the proper venue of the moment.
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 10:54 AM EST
Blink182's New Member
Points: 2876
Da_BombWiz says:
Okay i am backing her to win.... I doubt anyone else is a competition for her...She is sooooooo going to win!!!!!!!!1
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 11:12 AM EST
Heir of Slytherin
Points: 5499
Spazzingduck says:
That would be AWESOME! I dunno if it's such a good idea to do it now though; maybe wait another 20 years or so to make sure her books will truly have a lasting impact on people.
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 11:16 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2303
padfoot5312 says:
Why do you have to be dead before you get the honor for your great writing? It will be great that they will honor her while she is alive. She has started several children to read and we are getting more books that are better to read, thanks to her. So she should get the honor now.
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 11:24 AM EST
Student
Points: 249
Lavender says:
Although it would be perfect for her, I think they should wait a while. Like they said, they usually do it to honor those who have passed on. If she did manage to get it though, that would be great!
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 11:32 AM EST
Pesky Pixie Presidente
Points: 4359
Firebolt_909 says:
Tha'ts great!
a statue of yourself! btu too freaky. people will be staring at you, pigeons will be landing on your head....among other things. ;)
but that's cool! i want her to win!
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 11:40 AM EST
Points: 218
Rodevon says:
A statue would be nice. J.K. Rowling deserves it. I just don't think it's the right time for a statue. Maybe when she finishes the series.
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 11:45 AM EST
Witch
Points: 794
*Celandine* says:
Thats great for JK, just to be nominated! she seems so down to earth, and probably doesnt want one made!! how freaky would that be to see yourself in stone!!
~X~
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 11:46 AM EST
Wizard
Points: 603
Padfoot7 says:
I don't even want to THINK about the REMOTE POSSIBILITY of JK dying! She's still alive... they say it like it's a bad thing! I thank God for two things every night- one of them is JK Rowling, and the other is the eventual demise of Dubya!
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 12:10 PM EST
Squib
Points: 188
LoonyLarah says:
Totally Awesome! However, they should wait, like, twenty years or something before erecting the statue- or at least until she finishes the series. Great picture of Orlando Bloom, by the way!
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 12:12 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 85
~RuPe's~GurL~ says:
go Jo go!!!! u can do it! u got my vote!!:D
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 12:28 PM EST
Ravenclaw Ambassador
Points: 3243
Nevar says:
I defenitely think that that is a wonderful idea...however they usually don't create one of those until the persone is dead...so we might have to wait a while to actually see it.
Hey HPANA...where did you find that pic of Orlando Bloom? I'm one of his biggest fans...please please please!!!
N
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 12:35 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 348
Lord_of_the_snitch says:
I wonder who eles is in the running?
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 12:43 PM EST
Wizengamot Member
Points: 3231
Jencameby says:
I wonder how she feels about having a statue of her put up? It is quite an honour, she deserves recognition Congratulations to Jo!
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 12:44 PM EST
Witch
Points: 905
Quibblerkid81 says:
Shoot, she's my modern-day hero! I really hope that she gets it. Congrats, Jo!
Rock on RAVENCLAW! tee hee hee with <3s
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 12:47 PM EST
Head Auror
Points: 7003
Nimbus Girl says:
She should win!
If anyone deserves that, it's her.
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 12:48 PM EST
Daily Prophet Journalist
Points: 2597
dance_gear says:
thats a real honor to have a statue made of someone. I think that council guy is full of crap, i mean he thinks its a tradition to hav someone die before you make a statue of them...well, Jo has already made a great influence in kid's lives now, so whats the point of waiting? I agree J.K. has definitely influenced some kids to read again with her wonderful stories. If i wasnt already reading, i bet that picture of orli would definitely encourage me to pick up a book, for him? heck yea! hehe...
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 1:12 PM EST
High Inquisitor
Points: 23488
KT Lady says:
*dies* You do NOT KNOW how my heart stopped when I just saw my man on this page...AWW READING IS THE BEST! hahahah DO IT
DO IT
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 1:12 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 31
Dany my Love! says:
Kool! She better win!! She should!
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 1:18 PM EST
Witch
Points: 599
wanabee weasley says:
That would be quite cool to have a statue of yourself. And JK really deserves it. After all, she is writing the best book series in the world!!!!!!
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 1:19 PM EST
Head Boy
Points: 487
RickyRicardo says:
People shouldn't wait until they die to get an award like that! They should make a statue of her, it would be really cool and I'm sure fans would like that.
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 1:19 PM EST
Points: 6760
Zarry Sotter says:
I don't see why they have to wait until someone is dead to honor them. I mean, not all statues have to be of dead people... There are loads of statues of people who are living across the US! What's the big deal? Give her the statue!
Posted Aug 17, 2004 at 1:22 PM EST
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
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