Attention Twilight and Harry Potter fans: Meet the members of the Twilight vs Potter Debate Team!

December 23, 4:12 AMBook ExaminerMichelle Kerns

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While both the Twilight series and the Harry Potter series have much to recommend them (namely that they have catapulted millions of people worldwide into a frenzy of reading), I've always found it fascinating that readers of both Stephenie Meyer's and JK Rowling's works invariably always prefer one over the other. The purpose of this debate isn't to trash on one series or group of fans, but rather to figure out what it is about the books, and their fans, that creates such devout followers on each side.

The members of each team were presented with the following set of 5 questions:

1. How does the development of the main characters in each series compare to one another?
2. How do you think the overall plot of the books compare? Is one series richer and more complex than the other?
3. What lessons does your favorite of the two sets teach to young readers and how do those compare to the lessons taught by the other series?
4. How successful do you think your favorite series is in encouraging new readers to continue reading and how does this compare to how new readers will react to the other series?
5. A number of critics have predicted that, decades from now, no one will think the Potter series or the Twilight series worth reading. Do you agree or disagree? If you disagree, why do you think people will still be in love with these books? Do you think the series you are defending will stand the test of time better?

Introducing Team Twilight!

Ms. Laura Nelson

I am 22 years old and live in Maple Valley, WA. (Just 4 short hours from Forks :) Reading is one of my greatest pleasures and I ALWAYS have a book with me in my purse or car. I was introduced to the Twilight world as a Harry Potter Fan. I actually stubbornly refused to read them for a whole year because my sister dared to tell me they where better than Harry Potter! Of course I found out how right she was! They quickly became my favorite book series. I also enjoy Dean Koontz, Nora Roberts, and Nicholas Sparks. I am a sucker for a love story with a happy ending, as long as the plot is rich with suspense and characters are well developed. Other than reading I enjoy spending time with my fiance, family, pets, and friends. I love to swim and be outdoors, even in rainy Washington!
 

 

Ms. Caroline Gates

Name : Caroline
Place of Refuge : Wisconsin...even though the snow makes driving INSANE!!!
Age : 21
Job : I work at a daycare (we call it latchkey) where I get to work with kids ages 4 all the way up to 8th grade
Favorite Twilight Book : It has to be New Moon. I just love it for the ending!
Why Not a Pott-Head? : I use to like Harry Potter, but then I grew up :D
Life? : When I'm not working at my job, I love to go out with my friends, see movies, read, and hang out with my Mom. She's hilarious!
Twilight : I was introduced to this awesome "brand of heroin" by my friend of many years. I read the series in a week only to reread it a week later and have since read the series over .... many times. I've lost count.
Other Randomness : My friends and I have made our own Cullen family. I am Alice. My closest friend is Edward. I randomly laugh at anything and everything. My favorite color is green. My other favorite past times include performing in plays in high school plays, singing karaoke, and driving my awesome car..that has a dent in it.

Ms. Taelor Ball

Nicknames- Holly, Esme, Cake, Tay
Hometown- Phoenix, Arizona (where Bella USED to live)
What pays the bills?- I'm currently a student so unless it's from babysitting for people on my street, no cashflow comes to me..
My own Edward?-  I haven't found him yet, I know, so sad!

Current addiction- Ummm, Twilight, DUH.
Personal Treasures- My copy of Entertainment Weekly with Rob and Kristen on the cover (from July) I have it framed on my wall.
Fondest Memory- waiting in line for 5 hours to see Twilight the day it came out.

Record Holdings- Reading Twilight countless times, I read Twilight in 2 hours
Clubs- Stephenie Meyer Book Club at school, Member of countless Twilight Roleplay sites, Member of Bellaandedward.com's forums

Charity Work- I do volunteer work to beautify the Phoenix area frequently.

Random facts- In Stephenie Meyer Book Club we are putting on a production of Twilight. I am the Director, the script co-writer, and I also play Esme.

 

Ms. Caroline Suh

My name is Caroline and I'm a third year student at UBC studying literature and classical studies. I love rainy, overcast days (even before I read the Twilight series); they're the best days for reading and writing. I  am also really into music and can be found anywhere with headphones on. Ever since discovering the Twilight series I can't seem to focus, talk, or think about anything else (only my sister can put up with me now). I live on a property that includes a thick 20-acre forest, so I pretty much catch myself wondering if there are vegetarian vampires hunting in there or werewolves running loose. Two specific goals short-term goals I have set for myself: 1) go visit Forks, WA and 2) meet Kellan.

Introducing Team Potter!  

Ms. Victoria Landaker

Age: 16
General Vicinity: California
Passions: Reading, Writing, Movies, Film making (3 years experience in Advanced Media), Singing, and listening to music.
General Favorites:
color: orange
animal: the Elephant
number: 137
time of the year: Autumn
beach or mountains?: Beach
chocolate or vanilla?: Chocolate
boxers or briefs?: I wouldn't know.
foods: Spaghetti in red sauce, Sushi, Teriyaki chicken, and white rice.
beverages: Coffee, and Dr. Pepper
movies: Kill Bill, Star Wars, Harry Potter, Empire Records, and any movie by Alfred Hitchcock.
tv. shows: House, Graham Norton, and Twilight Zone reruns.
Bands: The Beatles, Radiohead, Emarosa, Atmosphere, The Doors, and so many more,
Books and Authors: The Potter series (of course). The Twilight series (Yes, I did like them.) Jane Austen, Ayn Rand, Orson Scott Card, 1984, Douglas Adams, The Watchmen, Bleach, House of Leaves, and hundreds more.

Ms. Annalisa Freeman

I have a hard time describing myself because I am both quiet and loud, conservative and liberal, funny and serious, left and right brained. I'm a 34-year-old real estate agent who majored in English and is married with a daughter. I love swimming and running, hanging out with friends and family, and of course reading as well as reviewing and discussing what I read. As an avid reader, I love when writing is symbolic and poetic, when an author is creative and tells a fascinating story, and when a book lingers after you finish. Some of my favorite books include One Hundred Years of Solitude, The Book Thief, Atonement, Life of Pi, and the Great Gatsby. But for all the reading I do, Harry Potter remains my favorite. 

 

Ms. Molly Gerber

Ms. Juliana Gomes

Nickname: Jay
Age: 17
Country: Brazil
Hobbies: reading, writing, movies, music
Favorite books: Harry Potter series, Twilight series, The Chronicles of Narnia series, The Da Vinci Code, Angels & Demons, Deception Point, Digital Fortress, The Grail Conspiracy, Beowulf, John Lennon's biography by Cynthia Lennon; Stephen King's stories, Betty Neels's novels and all of Clarice Lispector's books.

Ready to hear their answers to the questions? The debaters' responses for each question will be posted starting tonight, December 23rd, and will remain up for perusal and as a source of Christmas Day banter for the next several days.

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