Hundreds line up for magic of new Harry Potter book

More than 900 people reserved the book at the store.
By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
BOARDMAN -- Two weeks ago, they were normal Valley pupils, but Friday evening, school-age kids descended upon the Boardman Barnes & amp; Noble Bookstore in the form of witches, warlocks and magicians.
They came in cloaks, pointed hats, round-framed glasses and many waving wands, all in anticipation of the midnight release of the fifth installment to the Harry Potter series of books. The bookstore remained open several hours past its usual 10 p.m. closing time to distribute the books.
Before 11 p.m., kids of all ages roamed the store disregarding usual bedtimes and talking to friends about the four previous Potter books. There were also games, magical demonstrations and contests set up by the bookstore.
Keri Harmicar, in charge of Barnes and Noble public relations, said the store was expecting about 700 eager Potter fans to show up. A line outside the store wrapped around the building, and by 11 p.m., store employees stood patiently by cash registers waiting for the midnight rush of Potter fans.
Harmicar would not say how many books the store received, but said more than 900 people had reserved a copy. Some made reservations as early as January. Those who did reserve a copy of the book can only feel secure in getting a copy through Sunday. After that, even reserved books will be put on the shelf for sale.
Dressed for the occasion
Sara Rhodes, a 10-year-old Boardman resident, was dressed as Potter character Hermione and with nine other "students of the Hogwarts school" -- Potter's school of magic. She has read all four previous Potter books a total of 12 times and couldn't wait to get her eyes on the latest installment.
"Each book, they take you away and make you want to just keep on turning the pages," she said.
Seven-year-old Alexis Phillips, another member of the group, came, cloak-clad and wand in hand, with her mother, Lisa Mariotti. Both have spent time reading the Potter series together and say the books are just too entertaining to put down.
Boardman residents Sara Shorokey; her father, Joe; and grandmother Fran Atwood have made the Potter series a three-generation family affair. All have read the Potter series, but say for third-grade pupil Sara the books have meant more than just entertainment.
"She [Sara] is a very advanced reader," said Joe Shorokey. "Through reading the Potter series, she has been able to advance even further."
Not just kids stood waiting on the release of the latest Potter book. Many adults also were hoping to get a few chapters read before going to bed Friday night.
Poland resident Denise Stankus was resting in a chair surrounded by a sea of Potter fans by 11 p.m. She had been up since 5:30 a.m. Friday but made it to the bookstore with her 11-year-old daughter, Kayleigh, anyway to pick up the two books she had reserved. Stankus ordered two books because she did not want to wait for her daughter to finish reading her copy before she could borrow it.
jgoodwin@vindy.com