Columnist Muriel Stevens: Wonderful Wizard of Potter

Wednesday, July 12, 2000 | 9:09 a.m.

Muriel Stevens' shopping column appears Wednesdays. Her dining column appears Fridays. Reach her at muriel@lasvegassun.com or 259-4080.

OK, I confess. Even though I'm a muggle (nonwizard), I'm crazy about the Harry Potter books. The adventures of the orphaned boy wizard are a delightful read for both youngsters and adults. As soon as I read the first one, "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," I was hooked. So when word came that the fourth in the series (there will be a total of seven) would be released Saturday at 12:01 a.m., I had to have it.

A call to the Barnes & Noble bookstore on Maryland Parkway where I frequently shop revealed the diabolical marketing plan -- no book could be sold before the midnight-plus-one-minute official release was in place. Books could be put on hold through Sunday but they could not be purchased before the official release time. "How late will you be open?" I asked. "We're staying open until 1 a.m. and we're having a Harry Potter party for parents and kids," was the response.

Drat! Here I was, grounded with a foot problem. There had to be a way to get there. What would Harry Potter do? As a mere muggle with none of a wizard's skills, I needed a plan. I was having dinner with a friend who sometimes shares my shopping sprees. Would he be a willing muggle? Of course. He, too, loves bookstores and adventures.

At 10 p.m. we arrived to find cobwebs covering the security entrances, and employees wearing black capes and pointed hats. The cafe was ready, too. Punch, cookies and coffee for adults were available. Also available were free Harry Potter glasses and thunderbolt temporary tattoos, just like the one on Harry Potter's forehead. Most of the kids and some adults were wearing the glasses.

I managed to talk to some of the kids and their parents while waiting. Jan Kirk was there with her 12-year-old daughter, Brandi, and younger son, Jason. Brandi is the fan, but Jan is not far behind. Brandi likes reading a lot, especially mysteries and fantasies.

She considers herself a wizard, not a muggle. Really? "No," she said, "remember, these are fantasies." Thanks for reminding me. Which does she prefer, books or TV? The answer was instantaneous: "There's nothing worth seeing on TV." Brandi also said she would start reading "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" that night, "if I can stay awake."

Walter Coffin, the son of Mary Hausch and Bob Coffin, is another 12-year-old Harry Potter fan. Why? "They're the kind of books you can read 50 pages at one time. They're very captivating." Walter is another preteen who prefers reading to TV. "Reading," Walter says, "gives you more details." He's also a John Grisham fan; Brandi likes Stephen King.

And like Brandi, Walter considers himself a wizard. "Of course I can't do tricks, but in my heart I know I'm a wizard." Walter's 6-year old sister, Anna, is too young for Harry Potter. The recommended age for readers is 9 years and older. In my case, much older.

I didn't make the midnight opening, departing just after 11 p.m. There was still a line waiting for the new Potter book when I returned to buy mine the next day.

No question about it. Any writer like J.K. Rowling, who can inspire kids to read, is my kind of wizard.