GEORGE F. LEE, GLEE@STARBULLETIN.COM Librarians Linda Mediati, left, and Colleen Lashway are dressed and ready for Sunday's Wizard Chess Game at Kaimuki Library, one of many events planned to welcome the release of "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince."

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Potter mania, renewed

The Kaimuki library pulls out
the stops as the sixth book in
the blockbuster series debuts

As of yesterday, 542 people had placed reservations to borrow the newest Harry Potter book from the state's public libraries once it becomes available this weekend. By the end of the week, those numbers could reach one reservation for each of the 672 pages in the new book.

As book begins, Harry's in grave peril If you can't go back and read all 870 pages in Book 5, "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix," here is a quick recap to catch you up to where things stand as Book 6 begins: The wizarding world is divided into those who refuse to believe that the evil Lord Voldemort is back and those who know he is again a threat to all the world. The latter have assembled as the Order of the Phoenix, working in secret under Albus Dumbledore. Part of the order's mission is to protect Harry, but Voldemort and his Dark Wizards manage to lure the young wizard and his friends into danger. A horrific battle of wands ensues, and Harry's godfather, Sirius Black, is killed. The wizard bureaucracy finally gets wise to the reality of Voldemort. In the end, Harry learns of a prophecy made before his birth, in which his fate is tied to Voldemort's: "Either must die at the hands of the other, for neither can live while the other survives."

Thousands more are demanding ownership -- not a mere three-week loan -- and have put in reservations at island bookstores. They'll be in line at midnight Friday to pick up freshly minted copies of "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince."

Is it hype, hysteria or, perhaps, magic that draws so much attention to a collection of words on paper?

Does it matter?

"It's grateful and amusing to see so much hoopla over a children's book as opposed to a gossipy biography or a poorly written piece of adult trashy fiction," says Colleen Lashway, children's librarian at Kaimuki Public Library.

Lashway is the in-house Potter expert at the library with the most ambitious plans for launch weekend.

The library is hosting dual events based on the book: Wizard's Chess featuring oversize pieces, a la the fateful game played in Book 1, and Quidditch for Muggles, involving kids with broomsticks chasing a "snitch," in an earthbound version of the high-flying competitions that are part of every Potter book.

"Obviously, being muggles, they can't fly," Lashway says. And even if they could, "some might fly too high and crack their heads on the ceiling, and we can't have that."

All of this will take place inside the library, overseen by Lashway and other librarians who are at this moment putting the finishing touches on their witch and wizard costumes. Their enthusiasm reflects an abiding respect for the books -- for how they've gotten kids to embrace reading, and for their literary value.

"They're absolute fun," Lashway says. "Let's face it, learning how to master a spell sounds much more interesting than the usual stuff we study."

She says the last Potter book, "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix," drew more than 1,000 library reservations. She guesses the number is lower this time because more people are buying the book (Scholastic's initial printing is 10.8 million copies, up from 8.5 million for the fifth book). It took about six months to clear the library's backlog last time, she recalls.

And now for some random Potter-fan-alia:

Now, back to the Kaimuki library and that game of giant chess pieces.

Daniel Roffman, branch manager, is a former state chess champion (1977 and '78), so he has a particular affinity for the wizard chess played in the Potter books.

In those games the chess pieces come to life to bash each other over the head. In "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," a crucial game took place using pieces that not only were alive, but were humongous. It is that game that will be memorialized with kids pushing the pieces around an 8-foot-square board. No head-bashing allowed.

The pieces are made of hollow plastic -- the king standing about 3 feet tall. They come courtesy of the Hawaii Chess Federation, which uses them in occasional exhibition matches.

Roffman says the Potter books are "great reading ... great adventure stories," with enough depth to hold the attention of adults.

The chess player turns poet as Roffman salutes the books in limerick cadence, as in this stanza from his ode to "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" -- Book 3:

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Stay up for midnight
Potter release

Here's a list of Harry Potter events taking place this weekend, beginning Friday. Books will also be available at Costco ($15.99) and Sam's Club:

Public libraries

All events are free.

Saturday

» Hawaii State Library (586-3510): Harry Potter Party, 11:30 a.m., for ages 5 and up, Edna Allyn Room for Children. Reading of selections from the new book, prizes, crafts and games, Costumes encouraged.

» Mililani Public Library (627-7470): Magic show by Kelvin Chun, 1 p.m., Children's Room.

» Kailua Public Library (266-9911): Reading of first chapter of the book, 3 p.m., under the Reading Tree. Costumes encouraged. A drawing will be held for three copies of the "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," open to the library's Young Adult Summer Reading Program participants.

Sunday

» Kaimuki Public Library (733-8422): Wizard's Chess Game, 10:30 a.m., with oversized chess pieces; Quidditch for Muggles, 1 p.m. Sign up for either event at reference desk.

Malls

» Windward Mall: "Capture the Magic" event features crafts, science experiments and magic lessons, 9 p.m. to midnight Friday in the second-level common area, capped by the release of the book at Borders Express, with discounts on site and for pre-ordered books. Call 235-8044.

Bookstores

» Barnes & Noble Booksellers: "Midnight Magic" party from midnight Friday at Kahala Mall allows Muggles to enjoy Harry Potter-related contests, games, giveaways, and more. The book will be offered at $17.99, 40 percent off list price. (Barnes & Noble members get another 10 percent off, paying $16.19). CD and audio cassettes will also be available. Pre-order at the store or online at Barnes&Noble. com. The store will reopen at 6 a.m. Call 737-3323.

» Bestsellers: A Harry Potter celebration begins at 11:30 p.m. Friday at the Koko Marina store, with free refreshments and temporary tattoos. Call 394-2378. Bestsellers stores at Bishop Square (528-2378), the Hilton Hawaiian Village (953-2378) and Honolulu International Airport (836-2378) will open for early sales from 8 a.m. Saturday. All those who pre-order the book will receive a $5 gift certificate.

» Bookends: Party begins a minute after midnight Friday, with promise of coffee, disgusting snacks, free lightning tattoos, and Harry Potter quizzes and trivia games to 1 a.m. At 600 Kailua Road. Call 261-1996.

» Borders Express, Ala Moana Center: Harry Potter themed activities that include gifts and prizes, beginning 9 p.m. Friday at the lower level, near CenterStage. Pick up a "Ticket to Magic" number at the start of the event to save your place in line for midnight book sales, with discounts on site and for pre-orders. The event will continue until the last book sale. Call 942-1605.

» Borders Express, Kahala Mall: "Midnight Madness" party runs midnight Friday to 2 a.m. with games and face painting. Store reopens at 6 a.m. Saturday. Call 737-9550.

» Borders Express, Mililani Town Center: Open from 7 a.m. Saturday. Call 623-2138.

» Borders Express, Pearlridge: "Midnight Magic" party from 10 p.m. Friday, with activities for kids until midnight, when book distribution begins. The store will reopen at 6 a.m. Saturday. Call 488-9488.

» Borders Express, Waikiki Shopping Plaza: Open from 7 a.m. Saturday. Call 922-4154.

» Borders, Waipio: Tickets to reserve your place in line for midnight book pickup will be distributed from 9 a.m. Friday, with "Midnight Magic" party starting at 9 p.m. and book sales from midnight to 1 a.m. Six activity stations will be set up for kids: "Fantasy, Wits & Twists," "Dragon's Lair," "Wizardly Treats," "Discovery Science," "Magic Alley" and "Everything Harry Potter." Call 676-6699.

» Borders, Ward Centre: Pick up numbered tickets beginning at 5 p.m. Friday for your place in line for the book's midnight release. "Midnight Magic" party begins at 9 p.m. with wizardly activities, fantastical games and prizes, with six activity stations as at the Waipio store. There will also be a scavenger hunt, face painting, magicians and trivia contests. Dress as a favorite character for look-alike contest beginning at 9:30 p.m. Call 591-8995.