When a small bear from Darkest Peru first arrived at Paddington Station in 1958, no one would have predicted that he would become one of the most well-loved of celebrity bears. Now, with his 50th Anniversary fast approaching, his publishers are planning a special celebration.

more...

You might be noticing that things are looking a tiny bit different around the site today. We've made some changes to the layout, and we've added a couple of new features.

more...

Ever since the release of The Deathly Hallows Harry Potter fans have been wondering if J.K. Rowling would ever write another book. The good news is: she has! The bad news is that if you don't know her personally, you probably won't get to read it...

more...

Release date announced for Book 3 in the Inheritance series!

I am sure that all of you are as excited about this as I am. For the past two years we have been answering the question "When will the 3rd Eragon book come out?"

more...

Despite the fact that July was supposed to be the final round of book-related Harry Potter hype, the heat continues.

A book based on the immensely popular internet fan site The Harry Potter Lexicon was slated to be published at the end of this month has been put on hold until a lawsuit filed by J.K. Rowling can either dismissed or until the publisher can convince Rowling to change her mind:

In a statement, RDR Books publisher Roger Rapoport characterized the legal proceedings as a “David and Goliath battle,” noting that Rowling has previously praised Vander Ark’s Web site, on which his book is based. Further, Rapoport urged that Rowling, in the name of “literary freedom and free expression,” drop “her complaint against a book we are confident she would enjoy reading.”

There was also a rumour that a new Potter series is in the works, after an Australian news agency reported on a site that appeared to be marketing for just that. Rowling's agent has since stated that the site has no connection to anything officially Potter.

Finally, Reuters is reporting that Harry Potter is the most re-read book in Britain. Conflictingly, the BBC reported in the spring that Potter was the second-most unfinished book in Britain.

Then again, maybe that's why they're re-reading it.

Previously:

Dumbledore is Gay
Banned Books Week U.S.
Potter and Colbert
Review of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Harry Potter Smashes Records
Muggle Mixer in Saskatoon
Pre-Release Roundup
Successor Found
Harry Fits

Kai Chochinov writes:

The Silverwing books are truly unique pieces of literature. Kenneth Oppel has taken an entire cast of non-human characters, and made them human enough for all readers to understand and feel compassionate towards. Yet, at the same time he has not made them too human, so that the reader forgets that they are in fact bats. So, while reading these books I always felt the happiness, sadness and fear of its main characters, all of which are human emotions. While, at the same time I was concerned about such things as his flying ability, and whether the bugs he could see with his echo-vision would be enough to sustain him for the coming portion of his journey, all of which are bat characteristics. So, it was this fine balance of ‘human, but not too human’ that so many animal based children’s stories lack that has made the Silverwing Trilogy one of my favourite series of books.

Kayla Peters writes:

Dear Kenneth,
My name is Kayla Peters and I want to tell you what I love about the Silverwing trilogy. It is a very interesting trilogy and I especially liked the way that you worded the Silverwing book. One of my favourite things about authors is when they word a book so intensely that they make you feel as if you were the main character. You did exactly that. You are an amazing author. Silverwing was an outstanding book, especially when the annoying owls set their beloved home on fire. It was intriguing when the elder took Silverwing to the echoing walls. When you feel and hear all those years of stories, it makes you wonder just how long it takes to write such a moving book. Well, that’s why I love your wonderful trilogy and I would really like to read Darkwing. I’m sure it’s one of your best.

Donna Artimowich, Librarian at East Selkirk Middle School writes:

In working in a school library I have found that this particular series appeals to both our female and male students. After finishing the series myself, I have not only recommended the books to students frequently but we have had some very interesting discussions about the stories as well as characters.

more...

Peter Jackson and Steven Spielberg have already been signed as directors for the proposed three picture deal. Now Stephen Moffat, a British writer known for his work on Doctor Who and Jekyll will be writing at least one of the screenplays. No word as yet who the third director will be, but with two Academy Award winners already locked, it is a safe bet the mystery helmer will be no slouch. The plan is to bring the Belgian reporter and world traveler to life using motion capture technology.