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JKR included on '20 People Who Changed Childhood' list 
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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Friendly Deaf Angel
Points: 3994
Yolis 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
Princess of Fantasy
Points: 2537
magiclover13 says:
That's great! Congrats JK!!! You really deserve it! :D
Posted Oct 8, 2006 at 2:29 AM EST
Witch
Points: 896
QueenOfAmouraq says:
Way kewl! JK Rowling has always been an inspiration for me, so she definately deserves to be on this list!
Posted Oct 8, 2006 at 2:40 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 25
Downfall=Lord Voldemort says:
Wow she deserves it because yeah she changed my reading habits forever. I read the HP books all of the time but the books helped me to understand school assigned books and even had me reading for fun. The HP books are probably the greatest childrens books ever written.
P.S. The Beatles are the greatest band to ever exist
Posted Oct 8, 2006 at 2:51 AM EST
Student
Points: 268
Radcliffe's Girl says:
Wow... Congrats J.K
it sure did make me start reading more..
Posted Oct 8, 2006 at 3:04 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1248
Ivay says:
Thats great! Yer it really changed the way i read book nows...I read more now and I'm what 15!?
Posted Oct 8, 2006 at 3:07 AM EST
Auror
Points: 4021
RON's all up in heRmiONe says:
If there's a list about children, childhood, books, or people who have changed lives, Jo is probably on it. Way to go JK Rowling!
Posted Oct 8, 2006 at 3:16 AM EST
Professor
Points: 1150
Witch_one_counts? says:
That's awesome. I believe it too, because Harry Potter was one of the earliest books I REALLY enjoyed reading, and now that's one of the things I love most.... BOOKS!!!!
Posted Oct 8, 2006 at 3:27 AM EST
Dragon Rider
Points: 4414
~MalfoyPotter~ says:
Whooohoooo! Who doesnt love Harry Potter!!! We all love them!!!! Yahoo! I'm sure it changed every fan's childhood.
~MP~
Posted Oct 8, 2006 at 3:42 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2346
mad_eye muggle says:
Wicked awesome!Congrats JK.You did an amazing job in changing the lives of children and the young at heart,especially in the line of reading.You totally deserved this award.HP RULES!
Posted Oct 8, 2006 at 3:47 AM EST
Witch
Points: 937
crazywitch says:
This is fantastic for Jo to get on this list and also it means that children and adults! are reading again which can only be a good thing.
Posted Oct 8, 2006 at 3:49 AM EST
Prefect
Points: 324
~hp Roxx~ says:
Wow!!That's awesome...Congrats to JKR..you totally deserve this award.
Posted Oct 8, 2006 at 3:58 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2107
Happy Pancakes says:
Harry Potter definately made my childhood so much better! It has done alot of good things for me!!
Way to go JK Rowling!
Posted Oct 8, 2006 at 4:41 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 438
bubblegum says:
Thats so cool and so ture I dont no what I would do if it weren't for hp it's like a drug to me if I need to escape I read it or watch. One word.................................
AMAZING
Posted Oct 8, 2006 at 4:50 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1307
King's Cross Station. says:
Well obviously thats why omst of us are here: She changed our childhoods! Well, the younger ones of us!
Posted Oct 8, 2006 at 4:54 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 426
Ainhoa says:
That's great, she deserves it, a lot of young people started to read thanks to the Harry Potter books :)
Posted Oct 8, 2006 at 4:56 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2121
Nataly says:
I tottaly agree...My brother didn't used to enjoy reading...but now...! HP for ever
Posted Oct 8, 2006 at 5:02 AM EST
Grillows Girl
Points: 2785
Miss Baltimore Crabs says:
I agree, she changed my life! Congratulations Jo, you deserve it.
Posted Oct 8, 2006 at 5:13 AM EST
Lupin's Furry Girlfriend
Points: 6740
theslugclub says:
That's fantastic! She's inspired me soooo much. I never used to read then someone bought me PS, and I thought, I'll just read the first page, and I got hooked! I've now got over 200 books, all because of her!
Posted Oct 8, 2006 at 5:48 AM EST
Points: 865
superduperpotter says:
She should be number 1 on that list. She really inspired me and i never knew books could be so good.
Posted Oct 8, 2006 at 6:25 AM EST
Witch
Points: 580
*SlytherinEmpress* says:
That's really great. Jk Rowling has inspired a whole new generation to read. Well done Jo.
Posted Oct 8, 2006 at 6:57 AM EST
Wizard
Points: 906
*The*Physical*Being* says:
Well like DUH, enough said!
Posted Oct 8, 2006 at 7:02 AM EST
Forgetful Werewolf
Points: 14827
Patronus_Potter says:
That's great!
Congratulations JKR!!
Posted Oct 8, 2006 at 7:03 AM EST
Wizard
Points: 674
Bill' says:
well that's really cool. And I mean it's true, she changed children lifes and mine too but changed everybodys life I think.
Posted Oct 8, 2006 at 7:23 AM EST
Witch
Points: 808
Hogwarts babe says:
Thats true. Im sure she is really proud and even though i did like reading before i read HP, the books inspired me to read many more things.
Posted Oct 8, 2006 at 7:25 AM EST
Furry Little Problem
Points: 3792
Juicybit says:
And she does not only inspire and encourage children to read. I am an adult and although I used to read a lot as a child I started to read less and less as I was getting older. Now I'm still struggling to find the time but I'm trying hard to read more and I must thank her for that. Her work reminds me constantly how important it is.
Posted Oct 8, 2006 at 7:48 AM EST
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