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Photograph by Chad Pilster
Enchanted Gymnasium: The crowd of more than 1,000 listened raptly as the author read from 'Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.'
Charmed Words
J. K. Rowling's visit left everyone wanting more
By Jessica Lyons
Ten-year-old Daniel Silberman beams, slowly turning around and showing off his costume, a large plastic bag filled with colorful candies. He's dressed as Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, a clever candy from J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter books.
"That's great!" claps Rowling, as she signs Daniel's copy of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. "I haven't seen that one yet."
Photograph by Chad Pilster
Through the Looking Glass: The event was sold out, but that didn't stop curious fans from trying to get a peek of Rowling.
One thousand wizards, witches and ordinary muggles packed Willow Glen High's gym on Oct. 28 to meet their favorite author, Harry Potter's creator, J.K. Rowling. Red wizard robes, pointy hats, black bottle-cap glasses and lightning bolt press-on tattoos were practically a prerequisite to enter the enchanted gymnasium. Unfortunately, advance tickets were required. But that didn't stop children--and TV crews--from climbing up the windows, hoping to sneak a peek of Rowling inside, signing 1,000 books. After signing nearly 500, the author took a short break, first to ice her hand, and then to read an excerpt from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, the second book in her series.
Kids and parents stood, wildly clapping and cheering as Rowling climbed onto the small stage. This is the reason they waited for hours on a windy October day, standing in a line that snaked behind the gym. The crowd also applauded the kids who won Hicklebee's writing contest, describing a new wizard class for Harry. All this for a book: the anticipation, the long lines, the excitement, the cheers--if only the South Carolina Board of Education could see this.
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Willow Glen, California Since 1992
