J.K. Rowling has announced that the seventh and last installment in the Harry Potter series will be titled "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows." She is not yet finished writing it, but has said that she is now writing and re-writing scenes she has planned for 12 years. The Marshalltown Library will be hosting a discussion on the series sometime in the new year, including the chance for participants to make predictions about what will happen in the last book in the series. We will then re-convene later on--most likely August or September of 2007--after reading the final title to see how close we were. Watch for more information about this discussion, open to Harry Potter fans of all ages, in winter or spring of 2007.
Movie-wise, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, the 5th book, will be in theaters in July, 2007.
Many readers are avidly awaiting the release of Eragon in theaters. Based on a book by Christopher Paolini, the story follows the quest of a poor farm boy who finds a blue stone, which hatches a nearly extinct breed of dragon. The sequel, Eldest, was the winner of the 2006 Quill Award. I have not personally read this, but both my husband and daughter loved it, as have many library customers. We have both books, both in print form, as well as audio. Paolini, a now graduated homeschooler who began writing Eragon when he was 15 years old, is currently working on Book Three in the Inheritance series. There has currently been no release date set; however, an excerpt of Book Three was published in a special edition of Eragon made available for sale this fall. Paolini's official website, http://www.alagaesia.com, has more information about the author and the books.
Lemony Snicket fans might be interested to know that there is now a CD, "Tragic Treasury," that "goes with" the 13 book series, featuring the musical talents of Daniel Handler (aka Lemony Snicket)and a friend, with accordion background music. Along the same dark comedic lines as the series, the CD features songs like "Scream and Run Away." I heard an interview with Snicket on National Public Radio on Sunday, December 3, so more information can be found on their website npr.org
