Scholastic, the global children's publishing, education and media company, announced today the winners of the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows national sweepstakes. Seven lucky muggles were selected from more than 40,000 entries to join author J.K. Rowling in celebrating the July 21 release of the seventh and final book in the Harry Potter series. The seven winners and their chaperones will travel to London and attend the "J.K. Rowling and the Moonlight Signing" event at London's Natural History Museum, where the author will host a midnight reading and book signing for fans. In addition, each Scholastic sweepstakes winner will be given a copy of the U.S. edition of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows at 12:01 a.m. on July 21 to be signed by J.K. Rowling after the reading.


The Scholastic sweepstakes winners are as follows:

-- Andrew Lee, age 9, Havertown, PA
-- Paige Raudenbush, age 11, Boise, ID
-- Ayoluwa Hill, age 12, Atlanta, GA
-- Sophie DeGroot, age 13, Seattle, WA
-- Joseph Walsh, age 15, Cincinnati, OH
-- Anne Harbaugh, age 17, Spring, TX
-- Yanira Rodriguez, age 20, Hialeah, FL


"We are thrilled to be sending seven lucky U.S. fans to London to celebrate the release of the seventh and final Harry Potter book with J.K. Rowling," said Lisa Holton, President of Scholastic Trade and Book Fairs. "Just like millions of other fans in the U.S. and around the world, our sweepstakes winners have been inspired and touched by Rowling's genius work, and this is sure to be an unforgettable experience."


Scholastic sweepstakes winners will attend "J.K. Rowling and the Moonlight Signing" at London's Natural History Museum along with 1700 fans from around the world and will also be among the lucky 500 fans who will attend a midnight reading with the author. The sweepstakes winners will also enjoy a three- day/three-night vacation in London, England, with air transportation provided by American Airlines and hotel accommodations by Thistle Victoria, compliments of AA Vacations.