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JUNE 24, 2005 at 11:00 PM
Posted by GERI
Source: The Los Angeles Times via The Leaky Cauldron
An interesting article
from The Los Angeles Times questions whether readers are still interested in the Harry Potter books. The article wonders if the original fans, now teenagers and young adults, have outgrown the books and if the publishers, Scholastic, have a challenge in trying to keep the series compelling for the original readers who may now heading off to college and jobs.
Scholastic editor, Arthur Levine comments that the books were never for young children:
It's the kind of depth and sophistication that can be appreciated by an older age group as well as a very clear and compelling plot line that draws in the younger children. It's never been a book for very young children. In the early stages we thought it would be mostly 10- to 14-year-olds. The unusual qualities of the book were that even though there's sophisticated wordplay and humor and political satire that is appreciated by older readers, the younger readers are going for the more direct issues of character.
Barbara Marcus, Executive Vice President of Scholastic commented that while they believe they may have lost some fans, that number has been replenished by their parents and extended family:
I believe we have expanded to parents, aunts and uncles and grandparents. And then we have the new readers. The beauty of the children's market is that our readers come into the market and they grow with us. There are new children every year who are ready for Harry Potter.
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Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1472
ebony ivori says:
That's crazy. I've never once thought that I was to old to read Harry Potter and I'm almost sixteen. He's growing just like us so I'm about the same age as him haha. I don't know why anyone would say that. I think it's more popular now than it ever was, with HPANA as proof.
Posted Jun 25, 2005 at 1:31 PM EST
Princess of Nargles
Points: 4137
hp_fan206 says:
Are they crazy! Of course I still love Harry! What's wrong with them *hahaha*. Oh well... I guess that by doind their own *scientific* survey they can discover it. Sheesh.
Posted Jun 25, 2005 at 1:40 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1401
Dobby`s Friend says:
Well, the number of members here at HPANA shows that there are very many who are not tired of Harry Potter. I am surtenly not!!! I am 17, and I know of many Harry Potter fans that are older then me. There might have been a few readers who have lost interest, but I think that the number of new readers are much bigger.
Posted Jun 25, 2005 at 1:50 PM EST
Witch
Points: 559
ff6fiend666 says:
If people think Harry Potter is losing fans due to lack of intrest they are seriously confused, there is more harry potter fan fiction than any other book probably combined as well, it just doesn't make sence no sence at all, I think the writer for the los angleles times was just trying to make a story, not based on statistics what so ever.
Posted Jun 25, 2005 at 1:57 PM EST
Student
Points: 287
Travp16 says:
Of course readers are still wild about Harry Potter or there would not be a bunch of websites dedicated to HP like this one. Come on that is one ridiculous article.
Posted Jun 25, 2005 at 2:02 PM EST
Goddess of the South
Points: 6101
Mrs S Black says:
We are still wild about it, we always be, I hope my children can share the same passion I have...I know they will when they are old enough to read!!
Posted Jun 25, 2005 at 2:03 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 327
LovingGeorgeWeasley says:
Outgrow Harry Potter!? Never! It's insulting to even think that. :p I'm turning 20 next year, and I still read them all the time! Plus, the fandom keeps me going. There will never be a shortage of Potter fans. Fandom proves it.
Cheers!
Posted Jun 25, 2005 at 2:04 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1181
princess165 says:
Personally I've gotten more hooked as the series has gone on, but I know it's not true for everybody. My friend lost interest because too much time went by in between each book. Although most fans are still reading the series, I can understand where a few people might have lost interest. It's been almost 10 years since the first one came out
Posted Jun 25, 2005 at 2:16 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 465
Emmy Potter says:
How can they say such a thing?!?! When the first book came out( I have to admit!) I hadn't a clue on what it was! I think that I will forever be a reader and a fan!
Posted Jun 25, 2005 at 2:17 PM EST
Witch
Points: 755
harrypotter equalslife says:
That is insane!! Of course readers are crazy about harry potter!! When the seventh book comes out i will be in highschool so i will definitly still be reading them!!
Posted Jun 25, 2005 at 2:19 PM EST
Prime Hunter
Points: 4355
Orbster says:
As I said before..harry Potter shouldn't be under shildren's books..it shoudl be under fantasy...doesn't it make you feel stupid when you go to the children's section to get the book?
Posted Jun 25, 2005 at 2:23 PM EST
Witch
Points: 621
GarryDotter89 says:
Outgrow Harry Potter? That's like saying I've outgrown breathing air and Green Day. Silly reporters, you make me laugh. My mom likes Harry Potter and she's 52. What does being a teenager have to do with anything? If adults are mature enough to read them, why not teenagers? Just because department stores and whatnot have outgrown stocking Harry Potter merchansdise doesn't mean I turn a cold shoulder to Harry Potter. In fact, every time I go to Barnes and Noble, I hear some prat talking about the new Harry Potter in a booming voice. That's nice, isn't it? I look forward to Harry's next exciting adventure. I'm also a bit naughty because as soon as I get the new book, I look at the end. Harry Potter is like music, you never stop liking it.
Posted Jun 25, 2005 at 2:25 PM EST
Student
Points: 206
Deeann Black says:
The book sales speak for themselves!! I'm 40 and am addicted to them. I don't understand why Scholatic say's they have a "challenge", WHAT CHALLENGE? There are more fans now than there were even 2 years ago. In fact it's really going to sad when the last book comes out then there will be no more. GIVE ME HARRY
Posted Jun 25, 2005 at 2:37 PM EST
Student
Points: 281
Mishey22 says:
I find this article almost ludicris. Don't the preorders speak for themselves?
Posted Jun 25, 2005 at 2:42 PM EST
Auror
Points: 3078
Cas says:
I am soon to be 27 and LOVE all things Potter. I only discovered the books about a year ago (I don't know how I missed out on all those years of midnight book releases!) and now I find it hard to read anything as good! When the whole series is complete, I will make sure I buy the hard back editions to give to my own children - if I ever have any!
Posted Jun 25, 2005 at 2:42 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1266
AsiaLovesHP says:
I know I'll be a fan 'till the day I die..Sure I might grow out of some of the things I like now..but I'll always be a fan of Harry Potter..
Posted Jun 25, 2005 at 2:43 PM EST
Squib
Points: 190
theprophecy07 says:
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!? lost fans, yeah right. Look at the book sales, if anything more and more people are realizing how good the books are. Personaly, i think that if they were ever really fans and liked the books than they will still read them all the way to the end. I would understand if they stopped advertising how much they like them but they will still continue to read the books.
Posted Jun 25, 2005 at 2:44 PM EST
Witch
Points: 753
Mollycoddling says:
Leave it to the LA Times to come up with such a bit of bunk. It's like in OOTP when Harry started receiving letters after his Quibbler interview. Remember Ron reading the one where the guy couldn't make up his mind? And Ron made the comment "What a waste of parchment"? If you read the article carefully, it's the same thing. They don't love HP, they DO love HP, they DON'T, they DO.... blah blah blah...
My 10 year old kid got me to start reading the series after OOTP came out. Now our whole family is a bunch of absolute fiends for the series... including my 60 year old Uncle (and there is nothing funnier than my 2 year old trying to say Minerva McGonagall... except for maybe the way he pronounces Weasley - just like Dobby does). I'll likely be near 40 when the last one is published, and our family will be there with all the other HP Geeks - in line at midnight! These stories transcend age.
Posted Jun 25, 2005 at 2:46 PM EST
Witch
Points: 815
iluvdan says:
That's crazy! Just look at how many people are members on HPANA, almost 40,000. I will always love Harry Potter, and I know a lot of people who feel the same way! I don't think that anyone could outgrow Harry Potter! I will be in high school next year and I'm not going to quit reading any time soon!
Posted Jun 25, 2005 at 2:46 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1937
Deepti says:
Look at the number of people, all different ages, from all over the world who are on this site every day, and then ask if readers are still wild about Harry. Look at all the stats about the books.
Who wrote that article???
Posted Jun 25, 2005 at 2:46 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 593
AlmostThere1117 says:
There is no way that u can out grow harry potter!!!!!! I'll be 16 next month and i cant wait for the new book and book 7. i'll read them till the end even if i'm 30!!!
Posted Jun 25, 2005 at 2:55 PM EST
Student
Points: 241
rooinek says:
I think the article summed it up. Not only will the series keep those original fans, the leagues of devoted HP lovers will only GROW! Viva la JKR!
Posted Jun 25, 2005 at 2:57 PM EST
Gutter Girl Fabulous
Points: 8730
SamhainWitch7 says:
Thats very true. I don't think they'll have a problem at all. I first learned about the books from my little cousin. Everyone had been buzzing about them, and my little cousin had left the book on the table, and I started reading. From that instant I couldn't put them down, I thought (and still think) they are awsome! That was just before Goblet of Fire came out. Now I read them to my neice, and I will for my other neices and nephews when they are older.
Posted Jun 25, 2005 at 2:59 PM EST
Student
Points: 262
ginny__weasley says:
Clearly these people have never seen HPANA.
Posted Jun 25, 2005 at 3:07 PM EST
You Know Who
Points: 3006
Hurry Patter says:
My aunt is in her 70's and she reads Harry Potter. In fact she is a Harry Potter fan but not as crazy as I am. But that's understandable. :)
Posted Jun 25, 2005 at 3:07 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1737
HermyG13 says:
I don't remember the first time I read Harry Potter, but I know I didn't see it as anything more than another good book to read. Luckily, I became my obsessive self 2 summers ago while watching the Chamber of Secrets non-stop. I'm sure they are ones that have left, but also readers gained.
Posted Jun 25, 2005 at 3:09 PM EST
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