Illegal, downloadable versions of HBP are the subject of a recent article in Wired‘s online magazine. It seems that a few people scanned the entirity of the book, in violation of copyright laws, and distributed it on peer-to-peer networks. Such a distribution is illegal in most countries, and in the US, under the recent Grokster …read more!

Slate Magazine this week features an article exploring how the series resonates in the post-9/11 and post-7/7 world. The article contains some spoilers for the plot of HBP, and the reporter notes: In 1998, when the first Harry Potter book came out, Voldemort was a fantastical villain, a symbol of evil in the abstract. Today, …read more!

The Boston Globe reports on the impact Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince may have on younger people, offering advice from experts as well as remarks from readers: “Talking about fiction is a safe way for children to talk about real life. The book can be a catalyst for important conversation,” she says. ”For me, …read more!

In the wake of the release of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, the media seems to be catching up to what we already knew; that Harry Potter is not just for children. The Washington Post has a nice article about one such adult fan who loves Harry Potter, Jennie Levine (or Zsenya, as she …read more!

JKRowling has updated her website with thoughts about the Half-Blood Prince release weekend. Her news section, and the extras section both have been updated,including her reactions to meeting our own Melissa and Emerson from MuggleNet. And there they were, waiting for me. I had met Melissa twice before, though each time for no longer than …read more!

JKRowling.com became accessible yesterday to disabled, deaf and visually impaired internet users. Lighmaker worked with RNIB and Macromedia to develop the new version. The site is now navigable by keyboard without a mouse, and contains an accessibility menu, including the ability to enlarge text in certain areas, pause movement, and turn off background sound. A …read more!

The Official WB Goblet of Fire film website is now live. We saw the preview a few days ago; now you can go to those screens and vote for your favorite Tri-Wizard Champion. Click here to enjoy.

When you’ve run out of things to discuss and debate about book six, the Times Online offers us this – Harry Potter and the Compendium of Utterly Useless Trivia. Thanks to the many Leaky readers who sent this in!

Police confirmed that Carrie Taylor, the Potter fan we mentioned last week, was among those killed in the bombing attack of the London Underground on July 7th. Carrie was 24. Thanks very much to her friend, Margaret, for letting us know.

Christopher Paolini, author of the fantasy series Inheritance, reviews Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince for Entertainment Weekly: It’s heartening, both as an author and a reader, to see that J.K. Rowling is brave enough to experiment with her beloved series, and that she has remained true to the emotional and physical development of her …read more!