J.K. Rowling

"The idea that we could have a child who escapes from the confines of the adult world and goes somewhere where he has power, both literally and metaphorically, really appealed to me." - J.K. Rowling

Fiona from Center Valley, PA writes:

My hero is J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter books. When I read my first one, I was impressed with the creativity and the imagination she put into it. But when I learned that the author was a woman and that she believed in her books despite many rejections from publishers in earlier years, I became inspired that I can do the same.

I have often dreamed of becoming an author and I love to read and write in my spare time. J.K. Rowling not only gives me hope that I can be an author, but she has amazed others by turning non-readers into readers. There have been articles in which parents report that their children never liked to read but now they can't wait for the next Harry Potter book to come out.

J.K.Rowling has won many awards for her books. These include the Scottish Art Council Award, The British Book Awards' Children's Book Of The Year, and the Smartie Prize. Not only do kids like her books, but adults do too! In fact, all of her books have been at the top of the New York Times Bestseller list, which is a list usually containing only books for adults.

The author of the Harry Potter books was a divorced, single mother living in Scotland. She was living in public housing and had no way to pay her bills. "Without the challenge, I would have gone stark raving," she has said in interviews. While her infant daughter napped, Rowling wrote the beginning of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. It was a difficult time, but she was fortunate to receive a grant from the Scottish Arts Council that allowed her to complete it.

The book was considered too "literary" for many editors and she had to send her manuscript out many times before one publisher decided to take a chance. Today she is an international phenomenon and her books are published in many languages. Not only is J.K. Rowling an impressive person and author but she has created in her books a whole new world for children and adults to think about.

Mohona Bhattacharjee from Delhi, India, writes:

J.K. Rowling is MY HERO because she has inspired me to become an author. She has made my imagination wild as she has written inspiring books and series (Harry Potter). Her books contain a deep thrill of magic and frightening tales.

Brittany from Oak Park, Illinois, writes:

She is my hero because she writes such good books. She inspires me so much. When I read her books I just get so sucked into them I feel like I am there. She also writes about such interesting subjects. I can't wait for the next movie to come out. The first one was so good, but the book was better. I also can't wait for the next book.

I hope one day that I can be an author just like her.

Amanda Bennett from Castle Donington, Leicestershire, England, writes:

J.K. Rowling is my hero because she is a single mother and didn't have any money, so she wrote books. I think it is one of the hardest things ever to write whole books that people actually want to read and the Harry Potter stories have definitely succeeded in that way.

Eric A writes:

My hero, J.K. Rowling, inspires me to do great things someday. She has written so many books for children. Some kids say they hate to read but when they read the Harry Potter books by J.K. Rowling they can't wait for her next book. I want to be like her because I like to write stories, too. To achieve my dream I will have to have a big imagination and write good books to sell to kids to be like J.K. Rowling. I hope I grow up to be like J.K. Rowling.