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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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Student
Points: 270
Hannah Radcliffe says:
She should totally win! That would be so awesome!
Posted Aug 16, 2004 at 10:31 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 60
codes says:
She should win!!! Shes got my vote!
Posted Aug 16, 2004 at 10:34 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1185
sassafraz says:
Hmm.. Im sorry, but a statue of myself would freak me out!!! WOuldnt she find it a bit bizarre? having pigeons poop all over her? hehe
But it *is* a fantastic honour.
Posted Aug 16, 2004 at 10:34 PM EST
Witch
Points: 728
Hermione Double says:
I agree with this article.
J.K. Rowling is a great author.
She being a modern day hero is not something I have thought of, however.
Maybe she is, but when I think hero, I don't think of an author.
I think of someone who saves lives or stops something awful from happening.
Well...I suppose that making kids read is stopping something awful from happening.
Hmm...
Something to think about.
Posted Aug 16, 2004 at 10:35 PM EST
Student
Points: 227
Voldermort14 says:
Shes the best writer of our time, think about it, its a no brainer.
Posted Aug 16, 2004 at 10:38 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 6
andrewsprout says:
That's awesome! Congratulations, Jo. I hope you get it!
Posted Aug 16, 2004 at 10:49 PM EST
Witch
Points: 577
SiriusLupinGirl says:
Wow! That would be awesome! However, it is odd to have statues made today of those still living. Good Luck to her though!
Posted Aug 16, 2004 at 10:51 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 370
Lady Dionise says:
That would be great. Good for her! She did get a lot of kids to read, which is an awesome thing. Yup, she deserves it!!!
Posted Aug 16, 2004 at 10:55 PM EST
Slytherin's Ferret
Points: 11875
Miss Azn Malfoy says:
JK Rowliong should win it for sure! Hehe. If one of my friends say that Orlando Bloom poster they would try and steal it haha.
Posted Aug 16, 2004 at 10:57 PM EST
Lady of the Rings
Points: 4113
Padfoot4387 says:
I can't think of anyone who deserves it more. She really transformed my life, she did.
Nice picture of Orlando Bloom by the way, heehee. My old school's library has that hanging on their wall...
Posted Aug 16, 2004 at 11:01 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 399
Crazie4Dan says:
Wow 12th to post!! thats the closest ive ever gotten to being first!! WEll I think that is a awesome thing she is totally my hero and i hope they go through with this. that is soooooooooo cool!!!
Posted Aug 16, 2004 at 11:04 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 306
Trillium says:
Awesome! That would be so cool if she got a statue dedicated to her in her honour. Her family, friends, and fans would all be so happy and proud! (And hey, look! I made the first page of postings! Go me!)
Posted Aug 16, 2004 at 11:06 PM EST
Obliviator
(Moderator)
Points: 8455
Prof. Dish says:
Haha nice one Cheeser, looks good though!
I would say that the one guy has a point, I think they should wait for a while before creating a statue of JKR, she is still so young and has lots of years of writing ahead of her!
Posted Aug 16, 2004 at 11:08 PM EST
The Labyrinthine Brain
Points: 3337
DevilsSnare says:
I would certainly say she is one of the most influential writers ever. She has come from nothing to be something great. She supports charities, does events, has strong moral and family values. I can't imagine why she wouldn't be picked, even if she is living. It would be a wonderful honor.
Posted Aug 16, 2004 at 11:08 PM EST
Prof. of Cultural Literacy
Points: 4425
PowerGranger says:
It sounds like a great honor, and I think JKR would especially like to be honored in her beloved Scotland. While it does seem unusual to honor someone with a statue when they are not only still living, but also still in their creative prime, the article is talking about honoring exactly those types of "modern-day heroes" so JKR would be absolutely perfect!
I could just see JKR's comments now... "terribly honored, but a bit frightened to see myself perched up on a pedestal and made of stone!"
Posted Aug 16, 2004 at 11:19 PM EST
Honeydukes Sweetie Pie
(Moderator)
Points: 4703
Keng says:
Wow, geez... Jo's up against some tough competition! I mean, A.A. Milne? Or Tolkin? Woosh!
Good luck to her, though!!
Posted Aug 16, 2004 at 11:22 PM EST
Half-Blooded Fooch
Points: 2447
fooch48 says:
That would be a HUGE honor for her. I dont think however, that we can really tell the impact her writing has had on generations until she has been around for a lot longer.
A lot of famous authors didn't become popular until years after their writings had been published!
Posted Aug 16, 2004 at 11:25 PM EST
Witch
Points: 518
tonks06 says:
Awe how cool!! I agree with you fooch48. That will be so cool to see how she impacts generations to come. She is so famous now I wonder how famous she will be in a hundred years??
Posted Aug 16, 2004 at 11:28 PM EST
Witch
Points: 833
Purplelicious Star says:
That's cool. she should totally win!!!
I mean, she deserves it... hee hee.
and well, not that i don't like the others. i just think Rowling is better.. hee hee
Posted Aug 16, 2004 at 11:31 PM EST
Student
Points: 293
MissRiot says:
I also agree with you fooch48, i think they should wait and see about what the lasting impact of her writing is. but i do think that she deserves everything she gets.
its just amazing how much this series has effected both children and adults all over the world. and its really nice too, because with how crazy the world is nowadays, its a story about a boy wizard and the battle against good and evil ands it all just so innocent.
Posted Aug 16, 2004 at 11:35 PM EST
Seeker of the Magic
Points: 14305
thajarin says:
Nonsense, give her the statue, who cares about the waiting until they're dead... They appreciate it more while they are still alive...
Posted Aug 16, 2004 at 11:38 PM EST
Squib
Points: 185
Matchbox20 says:
Thats really great if they did make a statue of JK but thats kinda of weid that the peron has to be dead to make a statue in honor of them!!! Plus why is it called modern day hero if the dead in the frist place!!! She really deseves this!! Wow this is the longest i have fever wrote on a post!! Go J.K. Rowling our modern day LIVING HERO!!!
Posted Aug 16, 2004 at 11:40 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 380
AvadaKedavra27 says:
Why wait 'till she is dead to give her the honor???? never understood things like that. How cool to have a statue made in your honor!!!! GO JK!
SIRIUS LIVES!
nats
Posted Aug 16, 2004 at 11:43 PM EST
Witch
Points: 767
Illyria says:
OOOOOOOOO Orlando Bloom! *ogles picture* Normally I do not find him extremely hott, but not bad looking either, but that is a good pictures. The good pictures of him make him look dashing. And JKR rocks my socks!
Posted Aug 16, 2004 at 11:43 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1149
Weird Sister says:
Wow, most unusual, but definitely good. I think, though, it would be kind of weird if you suddenly walked past a statue that is practically you. Imagine.
Posted Aug 16, 2004 at 11:48 PM EST
Witch
Points: 935
fizzingwhizbees says:
I definitly think she should be honored but i think after her death would be you better becuase she is a brilliant mind and who knows what else she would do. but if the statue isnt put up till she dies may it be a long long time.
Posted Aug 16, 2004 at 11:50 PM EST
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