The British author of the phenomenally Harry Potter book series… The British author of the phenomenally Harry Potter book series… Tova Hollas

Was born in Chipping Sodbury General Hospital near Bristol, in southern England.

Her school years were spent at Wydean Comprehensive.

After she graduated school, she attended Exter University, studying French and graduating in 1987.

Following graduation she worked as a research and bilingual secretary. During this time, on a particularly long train ride from Manchester to London the idea of “Harry Potter” came to her.

When she was 26 years old, Rowling set off to teach English in Portugal and there she married a Portuguese TV journalist.

After divorcing she returned to Scotland with her baby daughter Jessica. As a single parent she found Herself trapped in the classic position of being poverty stricken.

In 1995 she finished the book “Harry Potter” and started sending it to publishers.

In 1997 her first book was published in Britain “Harry Potter and the philosopher’s stone” and until these days her books are making a publishing history.

Dear Joanne Rowling, Hello my name is Tova and I am a high-school student in Israel. I am writing this letter to you because I really admire you and your books. I’ve read all the Harry Potter book series that were released until now and I am really looking forward reading the fifth book that is being released in Israel at these very moments. I’m very excited; Harry Potter’s magic has touched me like it has touched a huge audience of all ages all over the world- what reflects your extraordinary talent. At these days, I’m doing an important project in English. In this project we need to choose a VIP (Very Important Person) and to write about him. Of course, I’ve chosen you as my VIP and read a lot about you in the Internet, in books and Collected a lot of information about you from the means of communication. I have to say that I truly appreciate you for Staying strong after all the things you’ve been through- taking care of a little baby and writing such an interesting story while you are poverty stricken, unemployed and living in a one bedroom flat, if I had been in your position I’m sure that I would have been at dead loss. I really want and I will be very glad to fly to England to visit you and hear from you your life story or seeing you writing a part of the sixth Harry Potter book. As I wrote before, I’m doing my project on you and in this project we’ve been also asked to write a letter to our VIP and it is a good opportunity for me to ask you some questions about you and the Harry Potter books that interest me very much: Do you have any plans as a writer, beyond Harry Potter? What advice would you give to young writers today? How did you succeed in writing a book that connects with so many people? Have you ever expected Harry Potter to be so successful? Are you surprised to see Harry Potter connecting with so many adults, as well as kids? And my last question, only if you can tell me: What is the secret that Dumbeldore promised to tell Harry Potter about his special powers when he grows up? If you can’t tell me, will it be written in the fifth book? I’m excited to find out about it. Thank you very much for reading my letter. Looking forward to your reply. Sincerely yours, Tova. Tova Holas, Miron st. Yokneam Ilit Israel December 11, 2003

Thank you for watching, Tova.