Pottermania will hit Morgan Hill Saturday morning when BookSmart
opens its doors at 8 a.m. and swarms of eager fans surge through
the door.
Pottermania will hit Morgan Hill Saturday morning when BookSmart opens its doors at 8 a.m. and swarms of eager fans surge through the door.
If the reception for J.K. Rowling’s fifth book, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, equals that of her fourth book, HP and the Goblet of Fire, there won’t be much room left for Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans, Butterbeer or the odd house elf.
Owner Cinda Meister said she and her staff will be ready for the dozens and dozens of excited kids (and not a few adults) who have been waiting for three years for the latest in the seven-book series.
“The phones have been ringing off the hook,” she said. “We’ve ordered 700 books so there will be plenty for everybody.” And, she said, they are all under lock and key. Even the store’s staff is not allowed to take a peek.
The event was tarnished a bit, Meister said, with the discovery that one of her 70 boxes of “Phoenix” books was stolen before it arrived in Morgan Hill, probably at the warehouse, since the pallet was shrinkwrapped after the box was removed.
“But, never fear,” she said, “we’ll have books for everybody.”
At least 200 books have been presold and a lot more reserved. And, so people don’t think they must leave town to get the best price, all “Order of the Phoenix” books will be sold at a 25 percent discount, Meister said.
The publisher’s list price is $29.95.
When the last book was published in July 2000, Potter fans started lining up at 6 a.m., many dressed in costume. By the time the store opened, the fans had spent two hours trading Potter lore, quizzing each other on trivia and drawing pictures of their favorite scenes.
To keep the excitement level high, the store plans a raffle every 15 minutes, with the grand prize – a realistic sorting hat – given away at 1 p.m. Trivia contests will run continuously with coupons for ice cream as the prize. And, Meister said, each purchase will come with a list of Potter-related “goodies.”
Kids are invited to come in costume and have their picture taken. In each book, the lure of Butterbeer – and chocolate covered frogs – draws Harry and his friends to the village of Hogsmead for treats. Morgan Hill Potter fans will be similarly treated to free Butterbeer Saturday. Meister said the drink is composed of steamed milk with butterscotch and a “secret ingredient.”
The store will also be selling sorting hats and a lush, black Flitwick hat – which come to life when held just right – gold and scarlet-striped Gryffindor House scarves and hats, black student hats and Harry Potter glasses for those who can’t stop with “just a book.”
Store employees tend to get in the mood by dressing up in costume. BookSmart’s co-owner, Brad Jones, plans to appear, not as Hagrid – whom he resembles in a slightly smaller version – but as his favorite character, Cornelius Fudge the minister of magic from book three, “HP and the Prisoner of Azkaban.”
Some bookstores across the world will usher in the latest Rowling release by staying open late and handing out the books at midnight. Meister and Jones decided not to do that.
“A lot of parents didn’t want to have to be up that late,” Meister said. “They said they would be happier with an early morning release.”
“We’re expecting a lot of fun,” Meister said.
There is a waiting list at the library to check out the new book. Of 400 copies countywide, there are 522 nmes on the reservation list. To reserve the book at the library, call the library at 779-3196
BookSmart, 17415 Monterey Road at West Second Street in Morgan Hill’s historic downtown. 778-6467.
