Happy Birthday, Harry Potter!
"Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean it is not real?"
- Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
For the last 20 years, J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series has stirred the imaginations of millions and brought magic into the lives of readers both young and old. These books follow the lives of a young wizard, Harry Potter, and his best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger in the years they attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. While the plot revolves primarily around the young wizards’ struggle against “The Dark Lord” Voldemort, the books are also riddled with poignant themes and lessons about love, loss, friendship and identity. Since its creation, the Harry Potter series has been translated into 73 languages, adapted into eight extremely popular films and has become the best-selling series of all time.
Targeting young-adult readers, Rowling published her books over the course of ten years, which means that many Harry Potter fans literally grew up and aged with their beloved characters. In Jill Kolongowski’s book, “Life Lessons Harry Potter Taught Me”, the author examines the significant roles that the series played, and continues to play, in millions of childhoods and adulthoods alike. Through short essays and literary criticism, Kolongowski investigates the universal themes and lessons presented within the Harry Potter books, such as “drawing strength from friends”, “learning from mentors and heroes”, “challenging conventional ideas”, “overcoming obstacles and setbacks” and “trusting yourself when others don’t”.
In celebration of Harry Potter’s 20th year on the shelf, and the fictional character’s 38th birthday, Page Turner Bookstore is throwing a party with activities for the whole family! All wizards, witches and muggles are welcome to join the fun in Conifer, Colorado from 2-6pm on Tuesday, July 31st. Activities will include: wand making, trivia, a photo booth with Harry Potter props, butterbeer and discounts on Harry Potter books. In addition to these, you will also have the opportunity to win signed copies of Jill Kolongowski’s book, “Life Lessons Harry Potter Taught Me” or purchase them. Jill will be returning to Page Turner bookstore on September 29th for a reading and book-signing as a part of the bookstore’s Writers Series. Don’t miss out on any of these magical events! It’s time to dress up in your house robes and come together with the Conifer community to celebrate the young wizard who taught millions of readers not only to believe in magic, but to believe in themselves.
"Words are, in my not-so-humble opinion, our most inexhaustible source of magic."
- Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows