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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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Student
Points: 266
TheORIGINALMrs.Snape says:
HELL YEAH! JKR is one of the best authors ever! She changed MY life completely. i have a reason to live for.
Posted Oct 7, 2006 at 10:14 PM EST
Little Morning Star
Points: 2830
Nellas Telrúnya-Took says:
That is pretty much exactly how I was... didn't want to read anything more than a hundred pages, but once I read the Harry Potter books, I totally changed my mind...
I think it's so awesome that she's on there, because it's totally the truth!
Posted Oct 7, 2006 at 10:22 PM EST
Points: 2731
Tri Wizard Champion says:
Fully sick bra. Nah, hahahahaha muahahah. Um actually, i feel that she could have got within the top 3...but then again it isnt really my 'era' well...it is
James
Posted Oct 7, 2006 at 10:23 PM EST
Sirius's Veil Thrower
Points: 4651
SiriusBlacksGodDaughter says:
Wow, that's amazing! I'm so happy she's on the list, she truly has changed the lives of the little children! :D Go J0!
~Drish~
Posted Oct 7, 2006 at 10:34 PM EST
Witch
Points: 852
WitOfHermione says:
A position well earned by JKR. Its amazing the gift God gave her. She shared it well.
Posted Oct 7, 2006 at 10:43 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 377
Michelle&Felicis:) says:
WHOA this is something i've wanted to hear for a looong time... d4mn right! she changed millions of people's lifes, among them mine...
Let me tell you my story, i hope SOMEONE reads it!
I was.. 11 years old. One morning my dad woke me up because i had to go to school.. but he had a little surprise for me.. the frist 3 harry potter books. At first I was like 'oh, wow dad, erm, thanks' and several days passed and i was still in chapter one.. until, one night, my life changed COMPLETLY.
I was totally OBSSESSED with the book.. the story was something i had never heard of before, so unpredictable, and it catches you and makes sure you don't scape..
and i fell in love for the first time. With a book, with a character, with someone that doesn't exist.. a love i've never felt again for anyone or anything... you might think i'm overeacting, but i'm serious here! I had meals reading, i went to school and spent everyday there reading, i went to the bathroom reading... i was complety blind.
And true love, they say, lasts forever.
well, almost 6 years have passed and harry is still in my heart, everyday, every hour. He's the thing i love most in my life, and it's a feeling that very few people have felt. And if you, reader, are one of them i'd like to congratulate you because you found your passion and your energy source!
And I thank J.K Rowling every SINGLE day for this...
you have no idea! i think i'm gonna cry ahahha...
thanks a lot i needed to let that out...
JKR THANKS FOR EVERYTHING!
Posted Oct 7, 2006 at 10:46 PM EST
Auror
Points: 3239
Tenshi says:
Wow! It's been eight years already! That's so freaky! You don;t notice it, but life jsut passes you by! Whoa... and to think I didn't like HP before! =D
Posted Oct 7, 2006 at 10:46 PM EST
Auror
Points: 3239
Tenshi says:
Sorry for the double post! - but!
Michelle&Felicis:), your story has been read! =D yay HP fans unite! hahah
Posted Oct 7, 2006 at 10:49 PM EST
Witch
Points: 893
Divadancer4life says:
Good she should be so many pople found something good to read and will continue!!
Posted Oct 7, 2006 at 10:59 PM EST
rockstar
Points: 2857
Harry_J Potter says:
Oh thats wonderful, she definately deserves it!! She definately changed my life, and I couldn't thank her more. But.. Why is Micheal Jordan on the list?
Posted Oct 7, 2006 at 11:02 PM EST
Custodian of Miracles
Points: 3264
MadamDumbledore says:
Harry Potter author has been named one of the 20 people who have done most to inspire children. No one could argue with that. She has even managed to remind some of us older folk of what it is to be a child. Thank you JKR.
Posted Oct 7, 2006 at 11:10 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1375
Entirely Insane says:
Well it isn't a very big surprise to most people.. It is amazing what she was done.. she got me into a reading frenzy which I can't get out of...
Posted Oct 7, 2006 at 11:11 PM EST
Witch
Points: 622
mount holyoke girl says:
That is really wonderful to hear. I feel like all I've been hearing in the news lately is that Harry Potter is banned and the pope says HP is evil and whatnot. I am really happy JK is getting the recognition she deserves.
Posted Oct 7, 2006 at 11:20 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2108
phoenix_feathers says:
And that, my friends, is why we adore Harry Potter so much. With her first book, she entangled us in the world of magic that she had created, and made it so that we would continue forevermore to read and reread her beautifully written novels. I know that SS was one of hte very first books that I ever read, and I was only five when it came out. Now, thirteen, I continue to read it yearly, as though it has become a part of my very being, my very soul. I feel that I know Harry almost more than I know myself, and I'm glad taht os many children world-wide have taken to heart the magic of his story and allowed themselves to flourish through it. J.K. is truly a genious.Every time that I say that, which is quite often, it becomes even more of a reality than the last time.
Posted Oct 7, 2006 at 11:28 PM EST
Student
Points: 209
yugi900098 says:
I am soooo glad she is getting this award!! She has definately changed my childhood and surely many others as well.
Posted Oct 7, 2006 at 11:28 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2945
Ariana Dumbledore says:
Congrats to Jo! She really deserves it!
Posted Oct 7, 2006 at 11:40 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1437
allilau says:
Definatley a congrats to JKR for changing the lives and imaginations of so many. I know that books have always had a special place in my heart and mind and I love the fact that so many from all these different generations can love what she has achieved, a credit to her for all her gifts to us as readers once more!!!
Posted Oct 8, 2006 at 12:06 AM EST
Points: 379
danie ruedz says:
Congratulations to JK! the list is very interesting.
Posted Oct 8, 2006 at 12:23 AM EST
Student
Points: 231
The Harry Potter Freak says:
Yay! That is so great! Congrats to JK Rowling.
Posted Oct 8, 2006 at 12:53 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 453
Poppysock says:
Congrats to JKR and all the others whom inspired all ages, not just children.
I hope JKR comes out with another series. It will be sad to pick up the last book, but I can't wait until she does.
Congrats again!!
Posted Oct 8, 2006 at 1:03 AM EST
Points: 3207
IRockedDanLastNight says:
You go JKR!!! Woot! She is AMAZING!
Posted Oct 8, 2006 at 1:26 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1615
Lord Neo says:
WOW,.. Congratulations to JKR,.. she really deserves it..
W.O.M.B.A.T. 2, I got an "E"
Posted Oct 8, 2006 at 1:34 AM EST
Squib
Points: 137
ny says:
Yep.... she has changed my childhood. and i thank her for it.
Posted Oct 8, 2006 at 1:38 AM EST
Malfoy by Nature
Points: 12528
WickeDraco says:
They sure do inspire us to read. Good job, JK.
Posted Oct 8, 2006 at 1:54 AM EST
Witch
Points: 914
hp-luver says:
Wow! That's so awesome! JK Rowling is one of my favourite authors. She really has changed my attitude towards reading.
Posted Oct 8, 2006 at 2:07 AM EST
Friendly Deaf Angel
Points: 5155
Friendly Deaf Angel says:
I love Jo so much, when i started to read her books i got hooked in her books even my brothers 12/13 were reading them. i read them already 5 times. i have not read them because i been studying for my college classes. but will read them more on my vacation.
Posted Oct 8, 2006 at 2:09 AM EST
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