The new Harry Potter book comes out July 31.
The much anticipated “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” comes out at midnight on July 31. Like previous Harry Potter books, Austin booksellers are hosting events the night before as a countdown to the release. Find our list of events here.
This new book, really isn’t a book in the tradition of the first seven books. It’s actually the script of a play that is opening in London on July 30. The play is set 19 years after “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.”
Will your kids read it or has the time of Harry Potter passed?
This new generation of children who are ripe for Harry Potter books have grown up with not just the books, but also the movies. At my house, we have bought or have borrowed all seven books. I remember spending my maternity leave with my 15-year-old son starting the series and then not being able to wait for the next one and the next one.
My kids, however, have had the first book read to them in elementary school. They have not read any of them themselves. I put the books in their rooms, by their bedsides, in their hands, but to no avail.
“Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” began the book and movie series.
Why? As soon they were old enough for the books, they also had the movies. They’ve seen every one of the movies multiple times. When given the choice between reading the books and seeing the movies, they chose movies every time.
It strikes me that we might have a generation of kids that won’t line up to get this new book. They will wait for the movie.
Instead, the line to get the book next Saturday will be filled with people in their 20s and 30s, who read the books as kids as they came out, and people in their 40s, 50s and 60s, who read them to their children.
I hope I am wrong.
Are your kids excited for “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child”? Take our poll.
Take Our PollAnd if you’re looking for other Harry Potter-like series to get into the hands of your children, read our list from local librarians and booksellers.
