Fans of all ages line up for first copies of No. 5
| • | World under Harry's literary spell |
| • | If you want a Harry Potter book today, you just might need magic elbows |
By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer
For a few hours last night, bookstores across the island resembled Hogwarts Academies as hundreds of Harry Potter fans donned costumes to celebrate the release of the latest Harry Potter book.
Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser
Thousands of "Harry Potter" fans reserved copies of the long-awaited fifth book by J.K. Rowling, "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix." Many of them stood in line to pick up their copies when the new work was released at midnight at bookstores.
Harry Potter fans, from left, Madeline Lehmann, 7, Alli DeLessio, 8, and Sophie Ottaviano, 6, perused some of the older Potter series books at Barnes & Noble Booksellers at Kahala Mall yesterday while waiting for the latest book.
Most of the major bookstores stayed open past the bewitching hour so eager fans could start reading one of the most popular series of children's books ever. In addition to the extended hours, bookstores held readings from the earlier Harry Potter books, as well as costume and trivia contests.
At Barnes & Noble Booksellers in Kahala, employees dressed in Harry Potter garb and handed out free Harry Potter eyeglasses to kids. Children also were able to pose with a cardboard picture of Harry Potter.
Lori Lau of Manoa brought her children, Kathy, 7, and Matthew, 3, to Barnes & Noble to take part in the events. Both were dressed as Harry Potter, although Matthew's black-rimmed glasses were painted on so he wouldn't lose them.
Lau said she's read all four books and will return today to pick up the latest. She said she enjoys the series because the books appeal to both children and adults.
"They're entertaining, easy reading, fun, and it's something I can read with my kids," Lau said. "And I wanted to know what she was reading, so I read it ahead."
Kathy is on book No. 4, "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire," which was released in 2000. She has read the three earlier books in the past year.
"It's exciting," said Kathy, an avid reader.
Although dressed as the main character, Kathy said her favorite character is Hermione Granger because she's a strong female character.
Karen Ottaviano of 'Aina Haina said she didn't order a book but hoped to pick one up later. She took part in last night's festivities with her daughter, Sophie, 6, and two friends, Madeline Lehmann, 7, and Alli DeLessio, 8.
Ottaviano said she became a "Harry Potter" fan after watching the movie "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" and plans to begin reading the series.
"My daughter is just getting into it and really loved the movie, and her friends are very into it as well," she said. "It's a very clever movie."
Madeline said she didn't care whether the movie was "clever," just that it was "cool." She has read all of the books and started when she was 6.
"They're really cool because you don't know what's going to happen next," she said. Her mother will pick up the book today. She expects it will take her two months to finish the nearly 900-page book.
There was a glitch at the two O'ahu Suncoast Motion Pictures stores where the shipment of books were not expected to arrive in time for today's release. A manager at the Pearlridge store said rain checks will be issued to those who ordered the book and refunds also will be available.
