Latest Site Notices

EmmaRiddle · #1 (**permalink**) 07-04-2005, 10:47 AM

Interviews with a few of the winners of the Scholastic 'Half-Blood Prince' contest have appeared in the press.

The St. Petersburg Times has an article about Julia Ceraolo, one of the winners who wrote about how Harry Potter brought her closer to her sister, Olivia, who died from cancer at he age of 16.

Quote:

"When Olivia was upset or in pain, my mom would tell me, "Talk about something that will cheer her up,"' Julia, 12, recently wrote in an essay.

Quote:

Olivia, a competitive sailor, violinist, surfer and aspiring poet, died at 16 last October. But in her illness, "Harry Potter would make her chuckle," Julia wrote. "Ms. Rowling brought joy to my sister and continues to help me get through my grief and escape my worries."

Quote:

In her essay, Julia wrote, "Without the "magic therapy' of Harry Potter, I wouldn't have been able to get though the unimaginable horror of Olivia's illness."

Quote:

"She's [Olivia] probably giggling and laughing," she said. "I know this would make her very happy."

Julia's winning essay can be read here.

Julia, along with fellow winners, Kaitlin McAfee and Roberto Pagan, was interviewed on the 'Today' Show. A video clip of that segment can be viewed on this page. A transcript can be read here.

Source: The Leaky Cauldron

!!!!!whacy_witch!!!!! · 07-04-2005, 10:54 AM

A very touching interview!!!!!

1st to post

07-04-2005, 12:47 PM

That essay was so touching. She uses Harry Potter like I did to get over the grief of my grandmother. It really works. I love how the books seem so real that they just take you into the story when you read them. It almost feels as if you are apart of them. And in a funny way you are.

Leeness · 07-04-2005, 02:05 PM

awwww poor wee tot *hugs her* she sounds soo sweet

Wayfarer · 07-04-2005, 02:43 PM

I am glad she's one of the reps from the US. Both of the girls sound like great sisters.

K-Muggle · 07-04-2005, 06:53 PM

that's so adorable

Hermione9 · 07-04-2005, 07:04 PM

That's so cool, and I use Harry Potter to escape from my problems for a while too. My problems just aren't as bad or complicated as hers.

nor_<3_i · 07-04-2005, 07:13 PM

oh my gosh! I almost cried that was so sad!

CedricBlack · 07-04-2005, 07:30 PM

wow...thats deep

EmmaRiddle · 07-04-2005, 09:00 PM

Quote:

I am glad she's one of the reps from the US. Both of the girls sound like great sisters.

Reps? US residents couldn't enter the conference contest. This is for a trip to London.

Kazters · 07-04-2005, 09:02 PM

aww that is really sad but at least something good has come out of it

luckyangelkmf · 07-04-2005, 09:11 PM

that's nice congrads to all who won

Padie · 07-05-2005, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lily_Black

That essay was so touching. She uses Harry Potter like I did to get over the grief of my grandmother. It really works. I love how the books seem so real that they just take you into the story when you read them. It almost feels as if you are apart of them. And in a funny way you are.

I agree with you!