My sister called tonight. We chatted about upcoming plans, a trip she’s looking forward to, when we’d see each other next, and then our conversation switched to her girls, my favorite nieces.
“Annika’s going through Harry Potter withdrawal. She’s so sad that it’s over. When she finished the final book, she said, ‘Didn’t she write anything else for kids?'” my sister told me.
First, I thought, I love that my 10 year old niece was so saddened by the ending of a series. I love that she often can be found with a book in her hand and that she is a voracious reader. And then I thought, and I get it. There are times when a really good book is nearing the end and I slow down my reading, because I don’t want it to be over. I want to savor each of the last pages. I understand the ache of missing characters and places that you know so well. Wishing it all could continue. Finally, I thought, but lucky for the two of us and all other avid readers out there, there is another great book or series waiting to be discovered. I’m sure Annika will find that magic again soon.
erikaloularson 
How funny! I am at that point with Rowling’s adult book “The Cuckoo’s Calling,” (under her pen name Robert Galbraith) right now.
I totally get Annika’s angst. She’ll be reliving the story for awhile now, I’m sure. Thanks for sharing!
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It is hard to say goodbye at the end of a series! However, you are exactly right-there are more great books and series that are waiting for us to find them!
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I always hate the goodbyes to my favorite book characters. Just think, she can reread it in a couple of years with a fresh pair of eyes 🙂
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Feeling sad that a book is over, It’s a feeling to both hate and love…
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Oh, my…. I’m such a Potterhead! I love the series so dearly, and have this crazy fantastical wish that it could all be real and I could live in the middle of it. That’s the power of books– and especially series– we spend so much time with the characters that we feel like we know them. It’s a powerful quality of some books that we don’t want for them to end! I love this piece about your niece and her love of books!
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We just finished The Crossover as a read aloud Friday. One boy, who I struggle to engage in reading, looked up at me and said, “I don’t want it to be over.” I loved that line. We all know that feeling that you captured so well, that “ache of missing characters and places.” Thanks.
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