Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows arrives July 21st
By Forster's Book Garden
Three hundred million copies sold and soon to be many million more. Is it possible that J.K. Rowling and her voice Harry Potter are responsible for saving a generation or two of children from many mind-numbing hours in front of computer or X-Box screens? Have Harry's friends Ron and Hermione been responsible for creating a generation of readers?

Is Harry Potter more than magic? Have children learned life lessons while never realizing they were being taught? Is Albus Dumbledore a modern selfhelp guru for having spoken gems such as "It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to your enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends," or "It's our choices that tell who we really are more than our abilities," and the unforgettable, "To the well organized mind death is but the next great adventure."

Which brings us to the July 21 release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows at 12:01 midnight. (that's the evening of the 20th for those of us who are time-challenged) What lessons will J.K. Rowling have for her readers? She's dealt with bullies, death, racism and full frontal snogging. Where on the emotional landscape will we now be taken?

Time and again we've been warned that we must maintain "constant vigilance." Through six books, millions of readers have been vigilantly watching for signs of what will come next, and for those who didn't like what they saw, there was always one more book to look forward to in the hope it would turn out more to their liking. No more does this luxury exist.

While J.K. herself has said, "never say never," it remains unlikely that she will continue Harry's story after book 7. And so, as all good things do, the series will come to an end. But what endings might occur?

Betting establishments report that the majority have placed money on Harry to die. Harry's demise is the most discussed aspect of the upcoming book.

Why must Harry die? Because the model of tragic writing demands it? Because Shakespeare likes an empty stage at the end of the play? Because a cynical world demands that heroes be punished? All his life Harry has been brave and true to the cause of good's victory over evil. All his life he has put himself in harm's way fighting Voldemort.

All his life other good and true people have placed themselves in front of him to protect him. His father, mother, godfather and finally Dumbledore have all died protecting Harry. What a poor message it would be if Harry were to fall to evil. Harry Potter die? It must not be allowed.

Is the greasy-haired sniveling Snape the true tragic hero? Having saved Harry so many times in the past, is he destined to save him once more and finally earn our respect?

In celebration of the release of the final volume of Harry Potter, join Forster's Book Garden in Bolton Friday, July 20 from 9:30 p.m. to midnight for an evening of Harry Potter themed games, Quidditch (please bring a broom), food, drink, and contests where you can win a wand, Wizardology or passes to our new Empire movie theatre. The books will be distributed at one second past midnight (wizard's time) and will be 20% off the cover price. We are currently taking reservations. Please feel free to wear your best wizard robes. We can all celebrate and commiserate (it's the last one!) together.