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OCTOBER 7, 2006 at 8:53 PM
Posted by GERI
Source: Child magazine via The Scotsman
Harry Potter author has been named one of the 20 people who have done most to inspire children. JKR was selected for her "unique contribution" to children's literacy and joins such other notables as Walt Disney, Michael Jordan, Jonas Salk, Steve Jobs and The Beatles.
The list, compiled by Child
magazine, writes:
Before J.K. Rowling's bespectacled boy wizard went off to study at Hogwarts, some parents feared their kids would never enjoy reading. Once Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone hit U.S. bookstores in 1998, followed by five more installments, parents found their kids couldn't get enough of Rowling's fantasy adventure novels, some longer than 600 pages. To date more than 300 million Harry Potter books have sold worldwide; they crowded The New York Times bestseller list for so long that the newspaper created a separate children's list. "The Harry Potter books not only sparked an explosion of interest in reading," says Lisa Von Drasek, the children's librarian at the Bank Street College of Education in New York City, "they inspired kids to go out and discover other great books too."
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Head Girl
Points: 409
BritishNinnies says:
Aw, that is very sweet. And absoulely true. "Harry Potter" is an instantly recognizable name for thousands, if not millions of children across the globe. You changed my life, JKR!
Posted Oct 8, 2006 at 9:19 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1720
hpforever138 says:
Aw thats wonderful. JKR definitely changed my childhood. She's so wonderful and I am so happy she has written the HP books.
Posted Oct 8, 2006 at 9:27 PM EST
Hogwarts Founder
Points: 3481
Godric Gryffindor says:
That's great. I've always enjoyed reading, but JKR did contribute with the reading of some of my friends.
Posted Oct 8, 2006 at 9:31 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1661
shivon says:
Although JRK wasn't the one to inspire me to start reading, she sure did change my childhood (or more so my teen years. I have had so many cool expirences and met so many awesome people thanks to her!
Posted Oct 8, 2006 at 9:54 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 480
Geowitch says:
Congratulations JKR! It is a well deserved accolade for you. So many more children are reading these days because of her influence and that is an acheivement to be proud of.
Posted Oct 8, 2006 at 10:04 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1229
sapphire260 says:
JK sooooo deserves that!!!
300 million books......really? I would never have guessed!!
Posted Oct 8, 2006 at 10:50 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1841
Remmy4193 says:
No doubt about it, Jo has influenced so many kids and people today. She is doing such a great thing, that is definately something worth being acknowledged for!!
Posted Oct 8, 2006 at 10:52 PM EST
Squib
Points: 197
j0o0e_wzrd says:
This is really a great accomplishment, she changed peoples lives for sure.
Posted Oct 9, 2006 at 12:37 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2209
Scarlett Kent says:
JKR richly deserves this accolade. And I'd like to add that she hasn't only inspired children, but adults, too, and has helped them to rediscover the wonder of magic.
Posted Oct 9, 2006 at 1:40 AM EST
Squib
Points: 132
Phoebe87 says:
Well, she deserved it, didn't she!?! Congratulations!
Posted Oct 9, 2006 at 4:21 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 401
Beruthiel says:
Congratulations Jo!! She realy deserved it. It's absolutly true. Every time a new HP books comes out, you see children (and of course many adults too) reading the book, in the train, the underground, the school even while walking. They can't take their eyes of it (just like me, he he). That's great!
Posted Oct 9, 2006 at 4:29 AM EST
Professor
(Moderator)
Points: 1180
Vermin Jerky says:
I love it when Jo gets her props. It can also be said that, of the examples listed, she changed childhood in the most positive way - you've gotta love someone who not only gets kids to read, but helps them love it.
Posted Oct 9, 2006 at 4:36 AM EST
Prefect
Points: 376
tinytimmuk says:
excellent. i dont think it is just children though that this applys to. I myself am an example of someone jk has inspired to take up reading. i never could be bothered to read a book, until five years ago when i was seventeen, when i picked up Harry Potter and The Philosophers stone. since then i read whenever i have time, and love to do so. jk has inspired me and so on behalf of everyone you have inspired JK, thank you!
Posted Oct 9, 2006 at 8:14 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2563
School Governor says:
True enough, JKR has done very well to inspire Children (and some adults) to pick up books and enjoy reading.
Congratulations to the other nominees too.
Posted Oct 9, 2006 at 8:18 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1600
jenn007a says:
Wow, congrats to her! I was not a child when harry potter came out but it definatley made me read when i started reading them!
Posted Oct 9, 2006 at 8:55 AM EST
Points: 5
xh3rmion3xssisterx says:
That is so cool! I think it's pretty awesome to be included with some of the best writers of all time. It must feel great for Jo, and I'm so glad for her, she's truly inspiring!
Posted Oct 9, 2006 at 11:08 AM EST
Student
Points: 251
Emily Rocks says:
Thats very true.I belive that children spent more time towards t.v rather than books apart regular noval readers(me).After this harry potter saga has released, most of them are reading with thickneness ranging from 400 to 800pgs.
Posted Oct 9, 2006 at 11:11 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2852
H/HrShipper4Ever says:
Wow...Thats fantastic !! JK totaly deserves it !!! Way to go... and its true... I know that she totaly changed my life..
Posted Oct 9, 2006 at 11:43 AM EST
Witch
Points: 913
MaeMuffin[DOT] says:
J.K. totally rocks, it's true that she really helped kids to love reading, all I read now is fantasy....
I can't believe Dr. Suess is towards the end, though.
*sigh*
Posted Oct 9, 2006 at 12:09 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2351
Skitch says:
Hoorah for Jo! They just keep realizing how successful these books really are! Go Harry, go. And he's here to stay.
Posted Oct 9, 2006 at 12:41 PM EST
Witch
Points: 916
aishaishaisha says:
That is so true. I've always loved reading but HP made me love it even more!!
Posted Oct 9, 2006 at 1:53 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
(Moderator)
Points: 1687
jones_jj says:
It is good to see JKR getting recognized for her contributions to literature, and for inspiring children to do good things also.
Posted Oct 9, 2006 at 2:23 PM EST
Haldir's Horcrux
Points: 6270
Corvis says:
I totally agree with this! It's amazing the impact a good book can have on children, and finding a good series can get kids hooked on books for life. Kudos to her for making that difference.
Posted Oct 9, 2006 at 2:47 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1347
Chudley_Cannons_Rule! says:
That is such an awesome honor! I know she definitely changed my childhood and those of most of my friends too. Way to go Jo! Keep up your awesome-ness!
Posted Oct 9, 2006 at 3:41 PM EST
Kathe Mera Kalimera
Points: 7720
dominor says:
Yes yes yes..I couldn't agree more to that...I know for a fact that she and her books changed me,they were a big influence on me when i was 15-17 years old..And thank god she changed me in a good way :D
Posted Oct 9, 2006 at 4:09 PM EST
Witch
Points: 692
~Remember Snape~ says:
WOW! That is such a honor for her. I am so happy that she could get that kind of recognition.
Posted Oct 9, 2006 at 4:20 PM EST
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