The Jamestown Sun
The seventh and final Harry Potter book will hit the shelves tonight at midnight around the world.
"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," by J.K. Rowling, is the culmination of all the boy wizard's adventures. Questions abound. Is this the end of Harry Potter? Does he defeat the evil Lord Voldemort, who has been his nemesis from the beginning, or does the dark lord win?
Sixteen-year-old Chelsi Mooridian, of Jamestown, said she has no preferences regarding what occurs in the book she'll pick up tonight at Great Stories Book Shoppe. She said she started reading the series a few years ago and has been enjoying them, but is content to let the book speak for itself.
"I think J.K. is a great author and her books are well written," Mooridian said. "She's created a whole new world."
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Not only is Mooridian a latecomer to the Harry Potter phenomenon, she's not interested in the hoop-la surrounding the release of Rowling's last book on the boy wizard. But booksellers around the world know this midnight hour is a big deal.
Local booksellers Great Stories and Kmart are planning parties to coincide with the release time. Jane Norman, owner of Great Stories, said they'll close at 9 p.m. as usual, then reopen from midnight to 1 a.m.
"Some Muggles' refreshments will be served to wizards and non-wizards alike," Norman said. "And we'll be giving a $20 gift certificate as a prize for the best Harry Potter character costume."
Babb's Coffee House, at the corner of First Avenue and First Street, will stay open to accommodate those who are waiting for midnight. Great Stories is in the same building as Babbs and can be accessed by walking to the back of the coffee house.
Kmart is the only other bookseller in town making special plans for the book's release. The store will stay open until 1 a.m., instead of closing at 10 p.m., its usual time.
"We're having a kind of party," said Jay Diemert, assistant manager. "And we're expecting about 35 to 40 people based on the calls we've gotten."
There are Harry Potter-related games planned and prizes for costumes. The Kmart employees who are hosting the party are all Harry Potter fans and plan to dress in costume for the event.
"They volunteered to stay for the release of the book," Diemert said.
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Great Stories has allowed customers to buy the books in advance. There are no pre-sales of the book at Kmart, but those who come to the party, which starts at 10 p.m., will be given a ticket that guarantees them a book.
"It will be on a first-come, first-served basis," he said. "We just got in so many."
Neither Norman nor Diemert have any idea how enthusiastic the Potter fans here will get, but the stores are ready for them.
Sun reporter Toni Pirkl can be reached at (701) 952-8453 or by e-mail at tonip@jamestownsun.com
