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NEW HARRY POTTER BOOK IS BIGGER AND
PRICER
By Christina Guzzo
Kids, start saving your allowance now.
Author J.K. Rowling’s fifth book, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, has been three years in the making, and it promises over 700 pages and a steep price tag.
Priced at $29.99, the fifth Harry Potter, which will be released on June 21st, 2003, will be the most expensive children’s hardcover book to date. Some readers agree that this cost might be too much for consumers and libraries to handle.
Jacqueline Washburn, a sophomore Harry Potter fan from the University of Michigan believes, “Its worth it. This book is going to be even bigger and better than the last one, and I’m definitely going to buy it.”
However, libraries across the country might not be approaching its release with the same attitude. With the four previous Harry Potter’s being the most requested book at public libraries nationwide, added pressure has been put on them to buy the newest installment in bulk.
Bookstores like Barnes and Noble are planning on combating this price with immediate steep discounts on the book as soon as it comes out. Alice Schaffer, the Community Relations Manager for the Barnes and Noble Store in Poughkeepsie, believes that the discounts will bring in customers who were weary about spending too much for the book.
“The minute it goes on sale at midnight, June 21st, we will be having in-store events and discounting the book 40% off its list price. Because it’s a new book, and people are really excited about it, we have to make sure that its at a decent price,” she said.
Also, online booksellers are offering discounts on this book if the customer pre-orders it. Amazon.com, like Barnes and Noble stores, are offering The Order of the Phoenix at 40% if the order is placed before the release date.
Washburn added, “ People should just buy the book themselves instead of waiting for their library to have it in. I’m sure that whatever price bookstores are offering will be reasonable for the size of the book.”