Can it really be true? Are we coming to the end of Harry Potter? It would appear so; therefore, all you fans and fanatics (which includes us) out there, we're not taking the release of the seventh and final book lying down! We're going to do our best to transform dear old Middleburg into Diagon Alley (where all good wizards go to get their school supplies) and even the venerable Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. That's the least we can do as we welcome the final installment of this classic series. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows promises to be the most thrilling book yet, in which all our questions will be answered.

You can pre-order your copy (and get a 20 percent discount) by calling us at 540-687-6677, or stop by our new location at 19 E. Washington Street.

Our tribute to the final Harry Potter adventure, beginning Friday, July 20, at 7 p.m., will include a costume parade and a special screening of one of the Harry Potter movies. We also have plans to keep parents happy while the excitement builds towards midnight, when the books actually go on sale. The Coach Stop, The French Hound and other local restaurants are joining with us to feature special Potter Palate Pleasers for parents while our party is going on.

In the buildup to the big event, Scholastic Books, publisher of the Potter series, is releasing seven questions for voting and discussion by Potter fans. The first question, released April 17, asked: "Who will live, who will die?" The choices were: Harry Potter; Lord Voldemort; Snape; Ginny; Ron; Hermione; Neville; Hagrid; Draco Malfoy, or perhaps, someone else? The second question, released on May 7, asked: "Is Snape good or evil?" Your choices: Good and still a spy for the Order of the Phoenix; Good but in too deep with Voldemort; Evil and has always been a spy for Voldemort; or Evil but only because Voldemort is back.

The May 15 question is: "Will Hogwarts reopen?" Your choices are: Yes; Yes, but Harry, Ron and Hermione won't go back; or Not at all. What do you think?

The final question will be posed on July 7, just 14 days before the release of the book. We think these are pretty interesting, but we would welcome any questions our local fans think might be even more entertaining or challenging. You can send us your ideas at www.booksandcrannies.com. We'll also post the upcoming questions on our website.

We love the Harry Potter books, not just because they are fun and entertaining, but because they sparked a love of reading in a whole generation of young people. The success of the books has led to many other series aimed at young readers, many of which are excellent. For example, we're looking forward to the next installment in the Eragon series, written by talented, young Christopher Paolini. We have to wonder if books like this would have gotten the attention they deserve were it not for the phenomenon that is Harry Potter.

With more than 300 million copies sold worldwide, author J.K. Rowling has certainly created an incredible and unparalleled publishing sensation, but above all, she has shown children that reading can, as we say at Books & Crannies, "give us someplace to go when we have to stay where we are."

Another quick note: You can pick up summer reading books for our local schools' lists. We have most of the books already on hand and can quickly order any others that we may not have when you come into the store.