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By TEST
Published July 2, 2005

WHY I LOVE READING HARRY POTTER

By Julia Ceraolo

My big sister Olivia was a great writer all of her life, but she died last October of an aggressive cancer at just 16. About a month before her death, after receiving a letter from a friend explaining Olivia's illness, J.K. sent Olivia a letter. Her letter held sincere concern, happy birthday wishes and compliments for Olivia's poetry. All of this only raised the level of my respect toward Potter mania and its author.

Olivia and I used to read The Order of the Phoenix together while in our twin beds, and we'd take turns reading aloud as she suffered the effects of chemotherapy. This kept her mind off her illness and made us laugh together as we've always shared a love of literature. She adored the books, but sometimes she'd be too weak or tired to read aloud. Sometimes she just wanted to sleep, but other times ... Harry was on her mind. "Come on Julia. Tell me what happens next!" she'd say with a sneaky grin. When Olivia was upset or in pain, my mom would tell me, "Talk about something that will cheer her up." Harry Potter would make her chuckle.

Why did the series comfort us in times of distress? My answer is constant quality. Harry's human experiences are ones of which I can relate. When he's angry, I can almost smell the smoke coming from his ears. When he grieves, I definitely know how he feels.

Without the "magic therapy" of Harry Potter, I wouldn't have been able to get through the unimaginable horror of Olivia's illness. Ms. Rowling has inspired me to write from the heart and to love books. Her books brought joy to my sister and continue to help me get through my grief and escape my worries. Joanne Rowling, I thank you.

[Last modified July 2, 2005, 07:23:02]