Why did we start reading the books?

[crabtree at ktc.com]

No: HPFGUIDX 22424


> 
> So, I'm just curious as to how/why/how long other people read the 
> series.  Does anyone have any really cool story?  I know mine is 
not, 
> I just happen to love books and got hooked.  
> 
> Angela

Wow! I didn't read the posts for 24 hours, and there were 92 unread 
posts!  

Two years ago my principal brought a Time magazine to school that had 
a picture of Harry on the cover and asked if anyone had read any of 
the books.  She thought it might be something to invest in for our 
Accelerated Reading Lab and offered to write the tests.  I've never 
been that crazy about fantasy, but I ordered two copies of SS for my 
class library thinking I would read them before putting them on the 
shelf.  When the books arrived at school the kids went wild for them 
so I went ahead and lent them to the students first.  They stayed 
checked out all of the time.  I bought two CoS and one PoA (since it 
was hard back).  Finally, when summer came around and all of the books 
were back in my possession, I reluctantly began reading the first 
one out of a sense of duty to the kids. By the end of the first book, 
I was reading them one after the other. I was at Hastings the day GoF 
came out and was lucky enough to buy their last copy.  

My teen age daughter was reading them before me.  As soon as she would 
finish one I grabbed it.  My husband decided he would read them since 
he had heard so much about them on TV.  When he got to GOF I was ready 
to read it the second time. If he put it down, I would snatch it up.  
If I put it down, he would grab it.  

My entire classroom was decorated with a HP/magic theme last year.  It 
turned out to be magic for the students.  Those who were capable and 
interested read the entire series, while those who felt intimidated 
just enjoyed all of the talk.  I am convinced that those children who 
have not read them will within the next year or two. 

Before letting them check out GoF, I tell them that it is really 
scary.  If they want to check it out anyway, I tell them not to start 
the chapter "Blood, Flesh, and Bone" unless they have time to read for 
a while.  I get stories about parents catching the kids reading under 
the covers with a flashlight way after bed time.  Isn't that 
wonderful?

The longest any of my fifth graders have taken to read GoF has been 
four weeks.  That was because he was in the middle of several live 
stock shows and had his plate full with showing and keeping up his 
grades.  If they take longer they really need to get a different book. 
I get concerned that they will forget the first part of the book 
before taking the test.  By the way, I took over the test writing 
with half of the GoF and the Comic Relief books.  

My principal insists that the teachers dress in costume for Halloween. 
She came as Professor McGonagall (although the kids thought she was 
Rita Skeeter).  I was Madam Hooch.

Sorry for the long post. (The "Professor Phlash" is another story for 
another time.)

Professor Phlash (Jo)

- Who now owns 20 copies of JKR books, some of which only adults are 
allowed to borrow.  Many adults around town do borrow them because the 
ones at the public library are  always checked out.  My first PoA now 
has more tape than paper.