Monday, June 23, 2003 | 10:59 a.m.
Karla Josephson's birthday was extra special on Saturday. Not only was there the excitement of turning 9 years old, but she also got her copy of the much anticipated "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix."
"It came out on her birthday so she was waiting," Karla's mother, Tracie Josephson, said. "She knew when that book was coming out."
It has been three years since J.K. Rowling released the last adventure of the boy wizard, and fans have long been ready for the fifth installment.
A day after the much-hyped release, children gathered at two local libraries for summer reading programs weren't carrying the new book, but they knew it was out and where their copy was.
Karen Bramwell of the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District said customers have been asking for the past four books and putting their names on a waiting list for the new book for weeks.
Bramwell said more than 700 people are on the waiting list for the library district's 400 copies of the book, making "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" the most requested book in the library district's history. Second is Janet Evanovich's "To the Nines," with a waiting list of 306 for the humorous mystery scheduled to be released in July.
"I have never seen a (children's) book this popular," Sharon Watson, assistant young people's librarian at the Summerlin Library, said.
Watson, who is reading the book herself, said she thinks its popularity stems from the appeal of the "fascinating" characters.
"I think a lot of kids relate to Harry," she said.
Like many families, the Josephsons have made reading Harry Potter a family project. Tracie, who is the Young People's Library department head of the Charleston Library, said she and Karla usually read one chapter a night. They were ahead of that pace in the new book: on Chapter 3 by Sunday.
Rumors that Harry's latest adventure is written in a darker style than the last books has prompted Tracie to read ahead so she can prepare Karla for what is in store.
It doesn't worry Tracie that Rowling has said one character dies in this book. She thinks Karla can handle that.
"I don't think the death will be difficult for her because she understands death," Tracie said. "I am concerned about the darker writing."
Overall, Karla said this book hasn't been scary and she "just likes the book."
The adventures of Harry and his friends at Hogwart's School of Wizardry have an appeal to readers of all ages.
Watson said she has even had grown men come in looking for the books, telling her they read them on their lunch breaks.
Watson's 17-year-old daughter, Erica, has read all four previous books and was already into the fifth. She said just from the first chapter she could tell the writing is different, that Harry is more grown up and mature.
Erica said she doesn't think it will take her long to get through this book, despite its 870-page length.
"You can't put (Harry Potter books) down because something new happens in each chapter, you are never left hanging," she said.
Mindful of the three-year stretch between the release of "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" and "The Order of the Phoenix," Erica said she will try to read this book more slowly to shorten her waiting time for the sixth book.
Joyce Dickson, regional branch services director of the library district and former children's librarian, said the Harry Potter series has had a noticeable effect on the fantasy genre.
She said it has led to a "fantasy carry-over" with demand increasing for such books as C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia.
Sharon Watson agreed and said many children have been coming in asking for books similar to the Harry Potter series.
Lyndee Rivera, 10, said she likes fantasy books thanks to Harry Potter. Her favorite book in the series is "The Chamber of Secrets" because she said she was most interested in the story behind the chamber and liked that Harry could talk to snakes.
Matt Jowanna, 11, said he is still reading the fourth book, "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire," but as soon as he finishes he plans to read "The Order of the Phoenix."
Jowanna said his favorite book in the series is the first one, "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone."
He has seen the movies but said he still prefers the books.
"I like the books a lot better. They have more details than the movies," Jowanna said.
To further fulfill customer demand for all things Harry Potter, the library district will be holding Harry Potter magic shows July 13 to 19 at all 12 branch libraries.
The library district has the Harry Potter series in six languages, audiobooks on tape and CD, the motion pictures and various Harry Potter reading guides.
All of the copies of "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" have been checked out from the Charleston and Summerlin libraries. Only rural Bunkerville had any copies available this morning.
They carry a three-week checkout period and cannot be renewed as long as there is waiting list, Sharon Watson said.
With the wait over, "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" seems to have reader approval with most agreeing with 9-year-old Karla: "It's just cool."
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