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"Batavia Library invites kids to make book on Harry Potter"by Linda Girardi ("Beacon News," Feb. 19, 2001) |
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Special dictionary: J.K. Rowling's novels among most popular materials
BATAVIA — It didn't take any hocus-pocus to draw attention to a Harry Potter dictionary. "I do anything Harry Potter," said 12-year-old Justine Werley, who was among the kids who spent Saturday morning creating a reference guide about he boy wizard's magical tales for all to share at the Batavia Public Library. All four series of the British children's novels by J.K. Rowling have captivated young readers. "The stories are fun, exciting and mysterious. I never want to put them down," Justine said. She said a friend introduced her to the first Harry Potter novel, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, and then decided to check out the others from the library so she could borrow them for a longer time. "I've read them all four times." The newest release, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is 734 pages long. "It's very long," Justine said, as if spellbound. The dictionary will be a useful source, especially for those who are not familiar with Harry, who has ruffled hair and a lightning scar on his forehead, or his funny tales. For starters, children's librarian Ruth Arrott extracted 20 characters and cool Harry things such as Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans (which come in every flavor under the sun) to get the dictionary project off the ground. Justine said she thinks the library's dictionary is a great idea. "My younger brother Jonathan isn't old enough to start reading Harry Potter, but he can come in and find out what the books are about," she said. It's also a good outlet for the weekend. "Normally I am very bored on Saturdays. Since I like Harry Potter so much, I thought it would be really cool to contribute something to the library that I really enjoy," she said. Youth services director Joann Zillman said the library has hosted several Harry Potter related activities, including book discussions and reading programs that have caught the public's interest. The library has several programs planned for this summer. Zillman said all copies of the children's novels are checked out at any one time, and even have captivated the library's adult audience. "They are filled with fantasy and good humor," Zillman said. Annie Engelhardt, 10, was enthralled to hear a Harry Potter movie would soon be released. "There's going to be a movie in November? Cool," Annie said, taking time to stop her cursive writing for the dictionary. "Yeah, it's going to be really cool," agreed Justine. |
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