Harry Potter VII.ii - The End

Today, at 12:00 am, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II, opened in movie theaters across the country.

Since the first book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, was released in 1997, the seven part series has sold millions of copies, generated an eight-film saga, countless imitations and spin-offs, and, perhaps most importantly, made reading cool again.

By Germán Póo-Caamaño.

The ambitious 1st grader, the crazed high schooler, the nostalgic college student, their parents, and their parents' parents: this is the readership of J. K. Rowling's books.

So, after almost 15 years, what happens now?  Loud Library suggests these cures for those suffering Potter withdrawal:

HP-related:

• Later in the year, J. K. Rowling will unveil Pottermore, a website that will sell e-book and audio recording formats of the books.  The site will also feature background details, stories from the Potter universe, and "virtual reading experiences", which might just be Latin for "this-is-the-closest-thing-to-magic-we-muggles-can-offer computer games".  



By John Morgan.

• Check the official Pottermore blog for the latest news.
• In 2005, Middlebury College in Vermont adapted the magical game of quidditch for muggle players.  Equipment consists of a volleyball as a quaffle, dodgeballs for bludgers, hula hoops for goals, and a runner dressed in gold as the snitch. Since then, the game has gained a loyal following at high schools and colleges all over the world.  
• To learn more about the rules of the game, participating schools, and upcoming events, visit the International Quidditch Association page.
• For your viewing pleasure, consider A Very Potter Musical.  Starring Darren Criss [who went on to Glee fame] as Harry, this light-hearted song-and-dance production has been uploaded in its 23-video entirety.  
• Never want to graduate from Hogwarts?  Many colleges offer classes that tie Harry into the history, philosophy, theology, literature, and science curriculum. 
• Click here for a list of just nine of the classes being offered in the country.
•  For the shorter attention span, the wacky Potter Puppet Pals videos are instant gratification.  You'll be singing "Snape, Snape, Severus Snape . . . DUMBLEDORE" for at least the next 24 hours.

Ready to Branch Out?

• Before the boy who lived, there was Simon, Jane, and Barney Drew, Will Stanton, and Great-Uncle-Merry.  The Dark is Rising sequence, written by Susan Cooper  from 1965 - 1977, incorporates Arthurian and Celtic mythology into a riveting battle between the light and the dark.  Yes, that 2007 film flop, The Seeker: The Dark is Rising, was loosely based on the second book in the series.  No, it did not do justice to the original source material.  Give the series a chance.  You won't regret it.
• The Wildwood Chronicles is being marketed as the next big thing for Harry Potter enthusiasts.    In "Wildwood", the first installation in the series, 7th grader Prue McKeel sets out to rescue her baby brother, who has been snatched away by a murder of crows.  She enters the wilderness on the edge of Portland, OR, and discovers a magical, troubled world. 
•  Know a younger reader?  See what he/she thinks: the first four chapters of "Wildwood" are available for free download on the website.