Got a "Harry Potter" fan? Most older teens and college kids grew up on J.K. Rowling's famous series. They've read the books - some even tote them off to college as "comfort books" - and seen the movies. But if you're looking for gift ideas for your young adult, here are a few more Hogwarts-related items they may enjoy.
1. Harry, a History
Courtesy of Melissa Anelli
Midnight book parties, lightning bolt tattoos, wizard wrock and the Leaky Cauldron - the story surrounding the Harry Potter publishing phenomenon is almost as much fun as the series that inspired such fan devotion. And who better to tell the fandom tale than Melissa Anelli, web mistress for the Leaky Cauldron fan site. Anelli's book, "Harry, a History: The True Story of a Boy Wizard, His Fans, and Life Inside the Harry Potter Phenomenon," is a fun, fast-paced read for teens and adults, many of whom will find themselves sighing nostalgically for those good old days, when Voldemort terrorized the world and J.K. Rowling was still writing about our favorite boy wizard.
2. Harry Potter & the Half-Blood Prince
Courtesy of Warner Bros.
Yes, we'd all like an evening in Hogsmeade with Harry, but a night at the movies is probably as close as your teen is likely to get to that. Pick up a DVD or Blu-Ray set of the movies - "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" releases on DVD and Blue-Ray Dec. 8, 2009 - or buy a gift certificate to a local movie theater or online ticket agency, such as Fandango, for the next flick. The next two movies - parts one and two of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" - are slated to premiere Nov. 19, 2010 and July 15, 2011.
3. Wizard Wrock
Image Courtesy of The Remus Lupins
Harry and the Potters, Draco and the Malfoys, The Remus Lupins, the Ginny Weasley Revelation... What began as a glancing mention of wizard rock in "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" has turned into a full-fledged "wizard wrock" movement, with nearly 600 bands producing their own Hogwarts-inspired tunes. The music ranges from punk and heavy metal to acoustic rock, played by musicians ages 5 (yes, 5) to 30. It's an absolute kick. Much of the music is available for download on MySpace or iTunes, but who can resist The Remus Lupins' CD "I Was a Teenage Werewolf"?
4. Harry Potter for the Car
Courtesy Scholastic and Listening Library
The books were marvelous and the movies fun, but if your teen or college kid has a big road trip ahead, nothing beats Jim Dale's narration of Harry Potter's adventures. With 16 to 26 audio CDs per set, by the time you reach San Diego (or Boston or wherever), Harry will have won the Tri-Wizard Cup, smooched Ginny or beaten Voldemort once more. Dale's narration of J.K. Rowling's beloved prose is spot on, and his voices...! Let's just say, he sounds even more McGonagall-y than Maggie Smith, and his Voldemort will send chills down your spine.
5. Tales of Beedle the Bard
Scholastic Press
Remember "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows"? Remember the scenes in which Hermione uses her rune deciphering skills to unearth clues in a volume of fairy tales? This is what she was reading. "Tales of Beedle the Bard" may not a 700-page Hogwarts adventure but at this point, a Potter-deprived reader will be grateful for anything. These stories read like real fairy tales, not thrilling escapades, but their gentle whimsy and life lessons make for a nice read.
6. Splurges in Orlando & Chicago
Courtesy Universal Orlando ©2009 All Rights Reserved.
If your Harry Potter fan is truly obsessed and you're looking for a splurge gift, the Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry is hosting the Harry Potter Exhibit, a lavish display of Potter-esque memorabilia from the movies, now through September. The exhibit then departs on a worldwide tour. Or, if you can wait till 2010, Universal's Islands of Adventure resort in Orlando, Florida is opening the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, a theme park devoted to all things Hogwarts. Or... you could always fly to London to check out Platform 9 3/4...
