http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/harrypotteralive/ In the Beacham's Scorebooks EXPLORING HARRY POTTER, by Elizabeth D. Schafer, published First American Edition August 2000, the following statements are written, "Rowling defends her novel, asserting that she cannot lie to children by pretending that evil is not horrible. She stresses that she has the responsibility to show what evil means and she believes that children are perfectly capable of differentiating between fantasy and reality. Rowling insists her books present moral stories because the protagonists make their own choices based on their character and integrity." (pp 33 and 34) Further, on page 35, Shafer writes, "Rowling knows how her characters and plots will evolve and has already written the final chapter of book seven in which Harry will have completed his wizardry apprenticeship and assume adult roles." Of course, Rowling has the prerogative to rewrite anything in her yet-to-be-published book 7, but I am going to faithfully have the hope that she will continue to write responsibly in light of her alleged statements above. For my vote, I hope she does not kill Harry in the final book because I believe children should see in this particular story that if a young person chooses to do right, behave nobly, ultimately self-challenge and stand rock-firm in the face of adversity and evil, such a person should, in most cases, grow and develop into a person who will do much in leading others in the same way and serving as a positive inspiration, a source of solid wisdom of the ages, to uplift and give strength, encourage resolve to fight evil in all its forms and to show that even though these may not be easy choices and can sometimes make young people the source of public ridicule or personal criticism by others, ultimately, it is people like this who we truly look up to and seek for strength, support and oftentimes, guidance and counsel. For young people/children to read of Harry Potter's life ending at such a pinnacle, in my opinion, could have very negative results/effects within the minds of these young readers (even adults, perhaps) and in due course, within their lives, as well. I believe and it is my hope, Harry will continue to learn, grow, excel at what he does, have the experiences that will create within him, by his ultimate choices, a person worthy to lead, nurture, teach and inspire. In reality, even those in our lives/around us whom we feel have so much to offer the world, are knocked down by death. It seems so unfair. Sometimes they are looked at as heroes/heroines, martyrs and such. At times, they are more of an inspiration after their death. Also, they may be able to actually help more people through their death and more people learn of them, than if they were alive, but for death to come so early to Harry Potter, I believe, gravely deprives young readers of something they need to hold onto through young adulthood at the least. If the statement is true about Rowling being tired of Harry Potter being around for so long in her life and therefore she is thinking about killing him off, what message does that give to kids who live a life at home where they feel the way Harry Potter felt living with the Dursely family, or perhaps worse, feel so unloved, stupid, inferior and the like? Is that the way we should treat humans and other species around us when we tire of them in some way or other? Just kill them off? Get rid of them? Remove ourselves as far from them as possible, place them in the care of others so we don't have to be bothered? Why in this instance, should Voldemort be the one who triumphs? Another message for the readers? What if both Voldemort and Harry Potter die in book 7? Rowlings has been given a gift to create a character/story which children and sometimes adults need to embrace for all time. Perhaps there are a some readers who are against Harry and for Voldemort. Not everyone is going to cheer for Harry. There are those who like Harry and those who don't both who may feel Harry's death is the appropriate end to the series. But, I feel there are other ways to end Harry's existence in this world other than bring death for him. It would be wonderful if Harry Potter can go into the sunset of history in young readers' minds where, when they need a positive emotional boost or a inspiration, they can reach into their mind/heart and think about Harry without having to think of him posthumously...Harry Potter should not die in book 7 unless Rowling can responsibly show readers that his death will serve a far greater purpose than his being alive. Thank you.... Mon, 16 Jan 2006 01:0:27 CST en-us 3 http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/harrypotteralive/#sig3576925 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST i love harry potter its made more kids read dont kill him do spinoffs please http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/harrypotteralive/#sig3557983 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/harrypotteralive/#sig3416357 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST please dont kill harry mrs. rowling!! i would love for him to survive so i can imagine him http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/harrypotteralive/#sig3156083 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST No need to kill "hope". http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/harrypotteralive/#sig3041982 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/harrypotteralive/#sig2921656 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST ne tuer pas harry potter http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/harrypotteralive/#sig2919755 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST NOT KILL HARRY http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/harrypotteralive/#sig2836240 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST death to potter! http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/harrypotteralive/#sig2746139 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/harrypotteralive/#sig2521346 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/harrypotteralive/#sig2521165 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/harrypotteralive/#sig2521143 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST non tout mais pas Harry http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/harrypotteralive/#sig2520519 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST Harry Potter is a character, a hero more like it, we can all look up to and admire, and imitate! If he died, our inspiration would not be gone precisely, but would not be as strong as it had if Harry had survived! http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/harrypotteralive/#sig2454042 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/harrypotteralive/#sig2449322 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/harrypotteralive/#sig2444466 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST pls d'nt kill harryyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/harrypotteralive/#sig2444464 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST Please dont kill Harry http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/harrypotteralive/#sig2444344 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/harrypotteralive/#sig2440601 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST I support this petition http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/harrypotteralive/#sig2393620 Wed, 31 Dec 1969 18:0:00 CST If harry potter dies I will commit suicide.