New York, NY (June 13, 2003) -- Last night under tight security, Scholastic flew over from Scotland to New York the U.S. first and only signed copy of J.K. Rowling's highly-anticipated Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. The book was transported in a lock box and is currently being housed in a secret location pending its presentation to The New York Public Library on Fifth Avenue on Friday, June 20 at 11:00 AM.
 
The signed book, J.K. Rowling's gift to the people of New York, home to U.S. publisher, Scholastic, was signed in the author's study in Scotland on June 11. The book is inscribed as follows:
 
“To the People of New York With Love and Admiration from J.K. Rowling”
 
Scholastic executives traveled with the first signed book from Scotland to London to JFK International Airport, New York. A British Airways pilot accepted the copy of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix as it boarded the plane at Heathrow to ensure its security during the flight. British Airways Flight 177 arrived at JFK at 4:10PM yesterday where Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix was transferred by security guards and loaded into a Dunbar Armored Van. The book was then taken to a secure and undisclosed location.
 
At 11:00 AM on Friday, June 20th, Richard Robinson, Chairman, President and CEO of Scholastic, will present the book to The New York Public Library's Humanities and Social Sciences Branch at Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street. Mr. Robinson will present the book to Dr. Paul LeClerc, President of The New York Public Library. The signed copy of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix will be displayed at the Fifth Avenue branch of The Library for a short period of time before being transferred to its permanent home at the Donnell Library Center at 20 West 53rd Street.
 
On the same day, The New York Public Library is kicking off its New York City Summer Reading Program and Dr. LeClerc will be recommending Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix as the first of many books kids should read over the summer. Scholastic has donated 35,000 books to the Summer Reading Program.
 
Scholastic is printing an initial unprecedented 6.8 million copies of Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix followed by an additional 1.7 copies for a total of 8.5 million, an all-time United States publishing record. Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix goes on sale on June 21, 2003.
 
About Scholastic
Scholastic Corporation (NMS: SCHL) is the world's largest publisher and distributor of children's books. Scholastic creates quality educational and entertaining materials and products for use in school and at home, including children's books, textbooks, magazines, technology-based products, teacher materials, television programming, videos and toys. The Company distributes its products and services through a variety of channels, including proprietary school-based book clubs, school-based book fairs, school-based and direct-to-home continuity programs; retail stores, schools, libraries, and television networks; and the Company's Internet Site, www.scholastic.com.

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