This was supposed to be another Harry Potter summer. But that was before author J.K. Rowling failed to deliver the latest in her seven-book series about the mystical adventures of a boy-wizard. As many parents and educators will attest, the books’ real magic is that they hold kids spellbound – and get them reading. Yet, …read more!

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The intrigue of the Harry Potter books has sprouted an interest in the science behind his wizardry in a summer camp. It’s the second time this summer that Ashley Sadlier, 9, attended Hogwarts School — the Utica Community Education one-day Harry Potter camp, offered through the company Mad Science. The class, named for Harry’s wizardry …read more!

The two most lucrative movies so far this year involve the perilous adventures of male teenagers, one in contemporary New York and the other long ago in a galaxy far, far away, struggling with the moral and physical burdens of their special powers. Over Christmas, the box office was dominated by two rather similar young …read more!

As reported in The Nando Times, first edition books by J.R.R. Tolkien and Beatrix Potter were sold for tens of thousands dollars at a British auction, while a signed Harry Potter book drew a respectable $16,660. Two from CBBC Newsround: Fantasy writer Terry Pratchett says he is bursting with pride after winning the Carnegie Medal …read more!

A prop wand box from and a crew t-shirt from Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone are among the items being offered by Cooper Owen Limited as part of their “At the Movies” auction taking place on the 30th of July, 2002.

Two business-related stories from Yahoo News: International Greetings says it’s looking forward to strong Christmas trading. It has agreed to licensing terms with Warner Brothers for the second Harry Potter film. Warner Bros. has awarded Mattel Inc. the right to produce toys and games based on its Batman, Superman and Looney Tunes characters, including Bugs …read more!

An article from The Telegraph states that, according to the Archbishop of York, “Harry Potter and the Lord of the Rings are more spiritual than much Church of England worship.” (The Guardian is also carrying the story.)

An article from the Orange County (California) Register mentions that John Williams has signed on to compose the score for Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Rowling fears films will lose magic touch (from The Scotsman): Shes’s a muggle in a muddle. Harry Potter author JK Rowling is looking for a mind-reader to take …read more!

Reader Cadence sends us this follow-up article on the current restriction on Harry Potter books in Cedarville, Arkansas. As a response to that action by the Cedarville School Board, the parents of a fourth-grade student have filed a federal lawsuit claiming the School Board violated federal law when it voted to restrict access to the …read more!