New Harry Potter Book Conjures Up Magical Excitement for Island Readers
By Jessica Delaney

Miranda Newton (left) and Ainot Crees, employees at Island Bookstore, dressed in their finest wizard regalia to celebrate the midnight release of the sixth book in the Harry Potter series.

Muggles and wizards alike need to beware as Pottermania hits the nation. With You-Know-Who on the loose, signs of romance hitting the Hogwarts school, and increasing danger throughout the world, “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,” the sixth installment in British author J.K. Rowling’s popular series, promises more delights for Potter fans.

More than 6.9 million copies of the book were sold on its opening weekend throughout the nation. Bookstores remained open until midnight, fans dressed up in Potter gear and threw parties, and eagerly counted down the minutes until midnight.

Not to be left out of the frenzy, Island Bookstore threw its own midnight Harry Potter party, complete with costumes, raffles, and, of course, the new book. Cake was provided, along with chocolate covered pretzels, juice, crossword puzzles, word searches, and tattoos to keep fans busy until the hour of midnight arrived.

Tamara Tomac, manager of Island bookstore, had no doubt as to why people were so excited about the upcoming book.

“It’s a good story,” she said. “It’s just an exciting, good story. It makes you want to keep reading. And that’s the best thing about this phenomenon is that it has people reading, from kids to adults who haven’t picked up a book in years.”

Fans, meanwhile, weren’t pondering the success of the series, but instead were biting nails and speculating on what the book would hold as the clock slowly ticked down to the books’ release.

“Rumors have been flying,” said Lindsay Bauman, who is working at Benjamin’s Kodak for the summer. “I personally think that Percy will come crawling back.”

Her friend, Jennifer Flatt, who is spending the summer working at Shirt Tales, disagreed.

“I think the big thing will be that Hagrid’s going to die,” she speculated. “He seems to becoming less of a main character, and that would be a way to get rid of him.”

While those two were busy discussing their predictions, friends Roxanne Pettit of Mackinac Island and Lauren Burke of Grand Rapids were just glad they would finally be able to get their hands on a copy of the new book.

“I’m such a huge Harry Potter fan,” said Ms. Pettit. “I’ve read them a thousand times. It’s all her fault,” she said, pointing at Ms. Burke.

“I addicted her,” Ms. Burke said. “I got addicted in seventh grade when my teacher read the first book to us, but she read too slow, so I got the book myself and read it.”

The two had their own ideas of what might happen in the book as well.

“Ron better not die. He’s my favorite character,” said Ms. Pettit. “I love how he’s hilarious - he’s the comic relief. But I do think one of the Weasley’s might die. Or Dumbledore might die.”

Ms. Burke chose to take a slightly more optimistic view of the events in the soon-to-be released book. “Ginny and Harry might get together, that’s what I hope.”

Jordan Dobbs of Chicago was on the Island for the weekend, and wanted to make sure that she didn’t miss out on getting a copy the first minute possible.

“I read them all,” she said. “They’re very interesting and intriguing. My favorite character is Hermione, because she’s brainy and brave.”

Hermione was a beloved character at the gathering, with Ms. Bauman and Ms. Flatt both citing her as a favorite. Ms. Flatt enjoyed comparing the atmosphere on the Island with the book’s reception in her hometown of London.

“There’s excitement in England, too, but I think it’s a bit more restrained. Some children get really into it, and they do have all the shops open at midnight,” said Ms. Flatt.

But it wasn’t just the fans who were getting into a magical spirit late Friday night. Staff at The Island Bookstore were also having fun, dressing up as characters from the book and in general wizarding gear.

“The whole staff has been so excited, and we’ve really gotten into it,” said Mary Jane Barnwell, owner of The Island Bookstore.

“It was an awesome gathering of Harry Potter fans,” said Ms. Tomac after the party had ended. “It was a great outpouring of enthusiasm. I really just had fun selling the book.”