Did you know the Braille version of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" will be approximately 1,000 pages long in 10 volumes, weigh about 12 pounds, and stand more than a foot tall when stacked up? Or that it costs about $63 to produce each copy? Thanks to supporters of the National Braille Press, it won't cost a dime more than the regular retail price. And for the first time since the Harry Potter series hit the shelves, the Braille version of HP7 will be available the same day (not days or weeks later).

Two groups of Harry Potter fans, who also happen to be Yahoo! users, have launched fundraising efforts to help the Press generate the funds necessary to print a record press run of 1,400 copies.

• Walking Wizards — a team of blind children, Adam Roberge and Ashley Bernard, have committed to raise $10,000.
• Harry Potter for Grownups (a Yahoo! Group) — co-moderator Linda Huang is spearheading an effort to raise $7,777 ("a powerfully magical number").

When we caught wind of this, we decided to help them match their goals. If you want to make sure blind kids and adults have the same access to this international phenomenon, please help support these Muggles. That outta help ward off He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.

Wicked!

Nicki Dugan
Blog Editor