Books cast spell on young readers

Youngsters enjoy a day filled with Harry Potter magic

By: Jamie Simpson
   There wasn’t a "muggle" in sight last week at the South Brunswick Public Library.
   The library hosted its second "Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry" party Jan. 29 to celebrate the November movie release of "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" and the new book, "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix," slated to be released June 21.
   Sixty-five children in grades 3 to 6 donned black work robes and pointed hats to take part in the enchanted festivities.
   Kathleen Gruver, a children’s librarian at the library, said that the reader’s love of Harry Potter was reason enough for the event.
   "Kids are reading these books and it’s amazing because they are over 700 pages long," Ms. Gruver said. "They have a wide appeal due to the magic. That is a classic theme of children’s literature."
   Ms. Gruver said the books have a large fan base because of their fun characters and plot driven story lines.
   "In the Harry Potter books, the kids know what the adults don’t," Ms. Gruver said with a smile.
   The books focus on Harry Potter, a budding young magician who attends Hogwarts, a school for young sorcerers and sorceresses. Harry and his friends are different from most people in that they are not "muggles." Muggles are those of us who can’t perform magic.
   The day began as the children sang the Hogwarts school song. They also took part in a Sorting Ceremony, during which young magicians were placed in a different "House of Magic."
   Celeste Gambino, Jake McNickel and Gabriel and Sophia Siciliano, third- and fifth-grade students at the Chapin School in Princeton, waited anxiously as their names were called to enter their chosen houses.
   "I think I should be in Gryffindor House because I have red hair," Sophia said.
   "I don’t want to be in the Slytherin House," Celeste said.
   When asked why, Celeste was quick with an answer.
   "Didn’t you hear the rumors? Everyone in Slytherin is mean and evil," she said.
   Magicians were subject to certain rules and regulations designed to keep them from abusing their magical powers.
   "There will be no wearing of the invisibility coat," Ms. Gruver said, dressed in a black pointed witch’s hat and bright purple costume. "We will not tolerate putting on your coats and sneaking out of here."
   The School of Witchcraft and Wizardry at the library isn’t just about fun. It’s educational as well. As the library staff role-played, students learned about herbology and plants and also took part in arts and crafts as they gathered around their prefects, the leaders of the Magic Houses. Later, they made their very own wizard wands and participated potions class where they made dragon’s blood and fizzing phantom foam.
   "There are no muggles allowed in here," Jake McNickel said.