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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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Furry Little Problem
Points: 4275
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
Princess of Cleverness
Points: 5207
unicorn_purple says:
That is really cool!!
Jo you are Awesome!
Posted Oct 8, 2006 at 8:07 AM EST
The Keeper of Time
Points: 2604
krisie says:
Good on you JKR. I never liked to read when I was at school and the Harry Potter books got me reading and now I love to read. She is a true inspiration to Children and adults everywhere.
Posted Oct 8, 2006 at 8:16 AM EST
Points: 8027
deemz says:
Congrats JK! you deserve it!
Posted Oct 8, 2006 at 8:32 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2079
kermittounette says:
I was a big reader since a long time ago, but when I began reading Harry Potter, I couldn't let my book until i've finished it... waiting for the other books is really though... that's why I don't want to begin reading another serie not yet finished.
Posted Oct 8, 2006 at 8:39 AM EST
Witch
Points: 712
*Lili* says:
She definitely brought something refreshing and to have adults and children like it, is like beyond awesome!
Posted Oct 8, 2006 at 8:53 AM EST
Witch
Points: 869
kat_snowyowl says:
Well, duh. But, actually for me, I thought Harry Potter was another of those patheticly irritating stories. It took my friends nearly three years to covince me - a readaholic - to read them. Strange isn't it? And now I'm a huge fan - more than they are!
Posted Oct 8, 2006 at 9:18 AM EST
Witch
Points: 600
The Very Secret Diary says:
That is so well deserved! She certainly changed my childhood in allowing me to be creative and to imagine!
Posted Oct 8, 2006 at 9:21 AM EST
Student
Points: 246
ToriLuv704 says:
Yeah just think if the HP books didnt come out I probably wouldn't be reading anything but magazines either.
Posted Oct 8, 2006 at 9:30 AM EST
Auror
(Moderator)
Points: 2484
Since the Start says:
Well... she has! And she is still doing it!
Posted Oct 8, 2006 at 9:37 AM EST
Squib
Points: 161
Boxee says:
She really deserves to be on the list. Although I read lots of other books too, Harry Potter is definately my all time favourite. Thank you Jo!
Posted Oct 8, 2006 at 9:50 AM EST
Delusional Army Soldier
Points: 4393
ILoveHP! says:
Yup, that's right. I lurve yah J.K.! Keep inspiring others like I have been inspired before!!!
Posted Oct 8, 2006 at 10:15 AM EST
Heiress of Gryffindor
Points: 3537
Nienna Narmolanya says:
Cool! Well, she sure changed my childhood. She gave me a love for books that's nearly impossible to get rid of. She's just so cool, her books are awesome, and everybody loves her! Well, except for those weirdo losers.
Posted Oct 8, 2006 at 10:23 AM EST
Witch
Points: 894
darkside rocker says:
I knew she would be on there for sure.
Posted Oct 8, 2006 at 10:24 AM EST
Witch
Points: 936
Lilium says:
JKR included on '20 People Who Changed Childhood' list!!! Of caurse she is!!! That so awesome! No, it's beyond awesome! It's terrific!!!
parents found their kids couldn't get enough of Rowling's fantasy adventure novels, some longer than 600 pages. Yes Yes! We can't get enough! Give us more !!! Congratulations J.K.R. you have surely changed my life!
Posted Oct 8, 2006 at 10:24 AM EST
The Golden Snidget
Points: 3157
Mrs. Phineas Nigellus says:
JK Rowling? Yes. Michael Jordan, Steve Jobs, Walt Disney, the Beatles? Yes. Jonas Silk? Who on earth is Jonas Silk? I'm sorry, I'm not that old and I hardly see how he changed childhood if I can't even recognize his name.
*The MRS*
Posted Oct 8, 2006 at 10:26 AM EST
Witch
Points: 677
Fawkes's Lament says:
Yay JKR! I'd be surprised if she didnt get named.
Posted Oct 8, 2006 at 10:28 AM EST
Professor
Points: 1063
Ginny511 says:
Awwwww good for Jo she is so awesome! YYYEEEEAAAAAHHHHH....
Posted Oct 8, 2006 at 10:31 AM EST
Charms Mistress
(Moderator)
Points: 5145
Weesa says:
Yay for Jo! Now the world knows what us fans always have, she's a terrific writer and kids will continue to be inspired to read more because of her.
Posted Oct 8, 2006 at 10:33 AM EST
Harry's Lost Brother
Points: 10058
American Harry Potter says:
Good for her! I know she changed my life!
Posted Oct 8, 2006 at 10:35 AM EST
Hermione's Twin
Points: 5063
*Miss Hermione Granger* says:
She deserves that! She is so much of a rolemdel, she said that Hermione was based on her when she was young and so I look to her as I seem like her when she was young too! And her books are brilliant, I always loved reading but some of my friends who never read read the HP books when they come out. Se is an amazing person!
She defienly changed my life! I`ve read many books but HP has really changed my life! For example being on here loads!hehe!
Posted Oct 8, 2006 at 10:42 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2011
brenpotterfans says:
That is so wonderful for her to be honored in that way. She really deserves all the praising we can give her for all of her hard work.
Posted Oct 8, 2006 at 10:46 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1234
Krum says:
Obbbbbviously. JK rocks. Of course she influences children.
Posted Oct 8, 2006 at 10:49 AM EST
Long Way from Happy
Points: 2952
OEHFICE says:
I so believe that. She's on the top of my list. Reading and writing were two things I hated and now it's the two thing I enjoy the most and it all started with reading Harry Potter and writing HP fiction. WOW, Awesome, JRK!
Posted Oct 8, 2006 at 11:05 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1348
~*Veela Grl *~ says:
She has changed many kids lives because now kids want to read and stuff. I know she changed my life. I wonder what life would have been like without Harry Potter...*Shh... we musn't speak of such things, nor think them.* L.o.l.
Posted Oct 8, 2006 at 11:16 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2572
Roswelladdict says:
She may have inspired children but she has also inspired adults to return to reading as a form of entertainment. I am so glad to see her getting the accolades she so desperately deserves.
Maybe when she sees this she will have to think long and hard ebfore she kills off Harry in her last book about him (not saying that she will, just that she might and the possiblity makes me feel ill and maybe when she realizes the impact she has had on kids it will disuade her from doing that to him or any of the trio.)
Posted Oct 8, 2006 at 11:35 AM EST
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