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It’s all about Harry Potter
Worldwide book mania reaches kids in Y-S
There’s something about Harry.
Harry Potter fans began lining up outside the Yuba Sutter Mall around 7 p.m. Friday to be the first to receive copies of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” at its 12:01 a.m. release just after midnight. About 200 people were waiting when “Professor Dumbledore” finally let them into the mall to receive author J.K. Rowling’s final book of the series.
Screams and cheers echoed through the almost-empty mall as B. Dalton Bookseller’s storefront gate began to lift just after midnight.
Two women in front danced up and down in anticipation before finally ducking under the gate and running to the counter.
“Can I just hold mine?” Valerie Huntington excitedly asked a bookstore clerk.
She squealed once it was in her hands and ran outside to jump up and down with friends.
Eight-year-old Gabriel McGinnis convinced her dad, Ivan, to take her to the release. They arrived at 11:30 p.m. to wait for their reserved copy.
“Harry Potter can’t wait until morning,” she said.
Her parents read the books to her and she listens to the children’s fantasy series on CD. Her favorite character is Hermoine.
“She is one of the smartest girls in school,” McGinnis said. “She likes books just like me.”
She was surprised by the long line of people waiting for their copies.
“I thought it might be 1 o’clock before we even got up there,” McGinnis said.
She is most curious to see how the book ends, but she doesn't think Harry will die.
“He has survived for six full seasons,” McGinnis said. “And he’s the most famous person in Hogwarts’ history.”
Garren D’Aloisio, 19, walked out of B. Dalton with the first copy. He had stood in line since 7 p.m.
“It’s so surreal,” he said. “I’m going to go home and read and stay up until I finish it.”
His whole body trembled with excitement as he held the orange-covered book in a white-knuckled grip. He said he thinks it will take about 12 hours to finish the 759-page novel.
“I’ve been waiting for this book for 10 years,” D’Aloisio said.
Pam Chapman, the owner of B. Dalton in Yuba City, said company policy prevented her from telling how many copies were reserved or how many the store had. The bookstore had taken book reservations since before Christmas until 9 p.m. Friday night.
Gracie Pack, 12, curled up on a metal mall bench to read while her cousin went into the Hot Topic shop for Harry Potter merchandise. She said she wanted to read the book to learn who dies and how.
“I think it’ll be the best one yet,” she said.
Huntington, 18, stood outside the bookstore and let out a shriek as she flipped through the pages.
“Oh my god. I just read the name of the first chapter,” she said. “I’m gonna cry when it’s over.”
She planned to go home and read.
“What else I am supposed to do?” she said. “I’ve grown up with this book so it’s like, it’s like my life story.”
Pretend Harrys and Hermiones grace YC mall
Wannabe Harry Potters and pretend Hermoines gathered in the Yuba Sutter Mall on Saturday to celebrate the latest book and movie releases.
Children in capes and round-rimmed glasses came to Potter Palooza event for a costume contest, “Professor Snape’s” magic potion show and a reading of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” by “Professor Dumbledore.”
Eleven children participated in the costume contest for prizes of mall gift cards, the book or a poster of its cover signed by the artist.
Harry and Hermoine costumes were the most popular.
Steele Severson, 14, was surprised his Mad Eye Moody costume won first place.
“I didn’t expect it because they always go for the cute little kids,” he said.
Judge Ash Chacon said Severson looked perfect, even when his jiggling plastic eye popped out and rolled across stage.
“Anyone who’s willing to dissect a compass to make an eye deserves to win,” she said.
Rebekah Pack, 7, dressed as Harry Potter in a cape, black pants, dress shirt and maroon and gold tie. She also visited the mall booths to make an amulet and have a lightning bolt painted on her forehead.
She was happy she won third place because she got her own copy of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.”
Sales of the book at B. Dalton Booksellers were going strong, store owner Pam Chapman said. Kids and adults had been asking professors “Dumbledore” and “Snape” to autograph books all day.
“Professor Snape,” played by 18-year-old B. Dalton employee Darek Riley, performed a Polyjuice potion from “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.” Children watched wide-eyed as basilisk venom, boomslang and leech juice foamed and changed color.
“I can teach you how to bewitch the mind and boggle the senses,” Riley told the children.
Kayla Buchner, 10, sat holding her nose.
“That stinks,” she said. “I couldn’t believe that Harry Hermoine and Ron would actually drink that stuff.”
Appeal-Democrat intern Ashley Gebb can be reached at 749-4724 or agebb@appealdemocrat.com
