Oh, Harry Giveway! This is Where I Admit My Lust For the One Who Must Not Be Named, The Dark Lord

I was a book worm in elementary school. Often I forewent playground antics to curl up in a corner to voraciously read my latest book.

It was definitely a form of escapism that I learned from my father. He constantly was ordering books and swapping good reads with neighbors. He still today often gets overwhelmed by family gatherings and chooses to find a quiet corner or go out to his car to read.

Like cooking, my mom wasn't a big reader, yet she encouraged me. I think she understood this similarity to my father.

My mom became my enabler, much to her regret when I would lock myself as a teenager in the bathroom to read.

I give large credit to my mom and Scholastic Books for getting me to Berkeley. Once I went through our family's extensive Box Car Kids, Nancy Drew, and Hollisters collection, I was starving for more.

There was never a school book order that didn't include several books for me, especially Beverly Cleary. I would get the class order form each month and I would carefully take my #2 pencil to circle every book that interested me.

At least 3/4 of the books would be circled. Mom? She let me get about half.

Although making ends meet with six kids on one salary was difficult at best, she always let me indulge in this simple pleasure. She couldn't drive, so the public library, over 5 miles away, was out. The school library was pathetic. Scholastic helped in that they made books affordable.

They had books for 99 cents. Today? They still do!

Today, when my kids go to school and come home with their Scholastic order sheets, I see they are still reasonably priced. Way less expensive than the local Barnes & Noble. They make reading accessible. Even better, the classroom gets free books for those unable to purchase. Win! Win!

Eldest also has benefited from their moderately priced wares. I indulged as my mother did, supplementing his love of Harry Potter, with favorites like Super Fudge and Magic Tree House Books. He was an early reader who loved a variety of levels. Yet, Harry Potter, having read the first volume in kindergarten at five years old, remains a favorite.

They've since been handed down begrudgingly for his 9 year old younger sister to absorb this summer. I am sure they'll eventually circulate to our youngest. It's funny to see our kids discuss the books with adult family member and neighbors alike. The series is truly ubiquitous.

So imagine my pleasure when Scholastic Books approached me with an offer to share my family's love of reading and Harry Potter with my readers and their families.

Yes, you! It's my and Scholastic's way of giving back.

Bonus? I get a set to give to PB so she isn't always fighting with Eldest to borrow his beloved Harry Potter classics.

I have FIVE sets of Harry Potter books to giveaway. Scholastic will ship them directly to your home for your family to enjoy.

Five (5) winners* will receive the following set in paperback:

• Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone Book
• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Book
• Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
  

Each prize pack is worth $40

So how to decide? Hmmmm....think, think, think.

LOYALTY: One set will be awarded for loyalty. I will enter all those who have linked to my blog on their own site into a random drawing. Leave me the link to your blog in my comments and I will follow to your site to check you out.

FANDOM: Two sets I will award for fandom. Tell me your favorite Harry Potter moment from the books and why you or your children would like a set in comments. Two will be picked by my son, Eldest.

MEMORIES: Three sets will be awarded for the best moments photos of you, your children, or your family either reading any book or in Harry Potter costume. We'll vote on the winners as a family. Of course, my vote will break ties. Leave a link to the pic in the comments. I'll do a round up post with all the pics on a post in October.

So 1,2,3: You can enter in all three categories of contests. Leave a separate comment for each contest. Why not increase the odds? Heh! Can't hurt and perhaps you'll get some new readers of your own following the link.

Giveaway ends October 7th. Just in time to get them for you for Halloween.

*Once winners have been selected, I will notify you and ask for a shipping address which will not be used for anything other than to ship your books.

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HARRY POTTER “The Magic of Reading”

BACK-TO-SCHOOL PRIZE PACK GIVEAWAY

Share the Magic of Reading with Harry Potter!It’s been 10 years since Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone was first published and a whole new generation of children await the magic of Hogwarts, and Quidditch, of Sorting Hats and Spells. Introduce your “back-to-schooler” to the first three books in this remarkable series and get them started on the reading adventure of a lifetime just in time for school!

'lisciously scribed by Heather Murphy-Raines @ 10:00 AM