Remembering Harry Isn't Real

An editorial in The Beacon Journal examines the controversy surronding Harry Potter...a fictional character.
But the parent must still be the parent. If a book is responsible for a child's moral development, there is void that needs to be filled.

Thanks for the tip, John!

Oldman Wins Custody of Children

Harry Potter III actor Gary Oldman won custody of us his young sons after his ex-wife accused him of keeping one boy drugged - the judge instead found Oldman to be the better parent.

ALL the Newsweek Pics

We've got 'em, and we've got them scanned, and it includes our first real glimpse at an in-character Sirius. Much better. And Gambon as Dumbledore - check out the rings. This'll tide us over nicely while we wait for some hi-res! :)

Alfonso Cuaron and Emma Watson

Alfonso, Rupert and Dan in what appears to beContinued...

HP Art Linkage

In my Nimbus 2003 in Pictures post, I forgot to give credit to the two excellent pieces of art (Sirius and Remus and Ron getting his badge) I photographed. The one of Ron was done by the wonderfully talented and terrifically sweet Alicey; for more of her work, check out Floo.nu; the one of Sirius and Remus is Maggie's terrificContinued...

Eminem Is a Potter Fan

A variety of news sources, including Sky News have reported that the real Slim Shady is a really big fan of Harry Potter.
Thanks to everyone who emailed us regarding this!

Editor's Note: The story is near the bottom of the page.

Potter Casting Opens in January

This new Newsround story says you can apply to be an extra in GoF as early as this January!

Michael Gambon As Dumbledore

Thanks to Adam for finding this "hidden" picture on Newsweek's site of Michael Gambon as Dumbledore.

Harry Helps Reading's Reputation

The Boston Globe looks at Harry's effect on the popularity of reading.
Thanks for the tip, John!

HP Entertains Troops

A brief interview with a mom who sent Harry overseas with her twenty-two year old son:
"He thought they were so great; he got the other guys reading them," Singleton said. "I don't know if it's because it takes him into a different world or what. That's more reading than he's done in a long time."Continued...

'Mom' or 'Mum'?

Another article from Newsweek - this time on changes to the text for the American editions of the books:

The changes in book five are slight, like changing “colour” to “color,” and Levine says the remainder of the series will retain most of Rowling’s original wording. “Mum,” in other words, is no longerContinued...

On the Next Movie

From Newsweek, an article on Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, with photos of Emma Watson, Daniel Radcliffe, and director Alfonso Cuaron:
“Azkaban” is the puberty movie in the Potter franchise—the one, says Emma Watson, who plays Hermione, in which “all those lovely, lovely hormones start coming out.”Continued...

Publishers Cutting Back

Harry and Hillary aside, books aren't selling like they used to.

Charity Auction

J.K. Rowling has donated her footwear for a charity auction to help anti-abuse charities YWCA Scotland, Women’s Aid, and Rape Crisis.

Witchcraft & Harry Potter

Religion columnist Terry Mattingly offers a brief article on the examination of witchcraft and Harry Potter at the recent Nimbus 2003.

Responding to A.S. Byatt

David Rossie of the Ithaca Journal offers his commentary on A.S. Byatt's recent commentary:
I thought I had myself figured out after all these years. Then along comes A.S. Byatt to identify the real me. Turns out my "imaginative" life, whatever that is, is "confined to TV cartoons, and the exaggeratedContinued...