Waiting for the wizard? Six more days till Book 6.

Byline: Jim Feehan The Register-Guard

A Eugene psychologist says the adventures of Harry Potter are metaphors for the struggles and fears faced by adolescents.

Meantime, fans of the popular tale about an orphaned teenage wizard are eagerly anticipating the sixth entry in J.K. Rowlings' phenomenally successful series, which goes on sale at 12:01 a.m. Saturday.

Sally Grosscup, a licensed psychologist who counsels teens and adults, said Harry Potter is a good model for one who does not back away from fear but, rather, faces challenges.

"His friendships represent this notion of not letting the bullies get the better of you and stand by one's values and not give in to evil - although it can appear tempting," she said.

Harry reveals a lot about how to be a good friend and a good member of a community. The books also stress the importance of family, Grosscup said.

In the first installment of the planned seven-book series, Harry was 11 and entering Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. In the new book, he is 16 and grappling with adolescence.

Alienation and the desire for approval from peers does not change from generation to generation in teens. Adults wrestle with these issues as well, but for adolescents these are new struggles, Grosscup said.

"At adolescense, the brain is first able to allow the individual to look at the self. This results in considerable self-conscious- ness. In adolescense, one is now able to ask, `Who am I? What do I want to be? Will others like me? Will I be alone?' These are scary questions,'' she said.

Teenage angst aside, Harry Potter fans are looking forward to the continuing adventures of Harry; his young wizard friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger; Harry's rival Draco Malfoy; Ron's sister, Ginny; Hogwarts headmaster Dumbledore; Dark Lord Voldemort; and groundskeeper Hagrid.

Rylee Glassman, 11, of Eugene is wild about Harry, and has seen his character change as he entered adolescence.

And her mother, Ann Ross, counts herself among the legions of adult fans.

"It's a really fun story that kids are captivated by and want to read," she said.

Ross has read the books to her 8-year-old daughter, Brighton, who is enthralled by Harry's magical powers.

But some of the books' material is a little too intense for preteens.

"When my daughter read the books, she had nightmares," Michelle Eaton of Eugene said of her 10-year-old daughter, Allison Eaton, a student at O'Hara parochial school.

Any doubt about the spell Harry Potter has cast on the reading public has been dispelled by the turbo-charged demand for "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince," the title of the new volume.

Scholastic Books, the publisher of the series, plans an initial printing of 10.8 million copies, and the Eugene Public Library already has had 240 holds on a copy of the book. A bestseller such as ``The Da Vinci Code'' would have 75 to 100 holds, library assistant Vicki Morgan said.

Debra Bogart, who recently joined the Eugene library after working at the Springfield library for 12 years, said the universal struggle of good vs. evil resonates with children and adults.

Harry Potter books can be found in the young adult, adult and children's sections of the library. The titles are available in English, Vietnamese, German, French, Russian, Spanish, Chinese, Korean and Japanese at the Eugene library.

For Sheila Walsh of Portland, much of the Harry Potter appeal lies with the characters - from the lovable giant Hagrid to the faceless guards of Azkaban Prison, who suck the souls out of their victims with the ``Dementors' Kiss'' and chill the air in which they move.

"It may be the only book that would work in conning Mom and Dad to let their children stay out late - buying a book," Walsh said.

HARRY POTTER RELEASE PARTIES IN EUGENE

CORRECTION (ran 7/12/2005): The contact phone number for Books Without Borders is 284-2838. A story on Page G6 Sunday about Harry Potter release parties gave an incorrect number.

Friday night: Barnes & Noble's Midnight Magic Party features storytelling, face-painting, wand-making, drawing and trivia contests and pictures with Hermione leading up to the midnight release of the book. Begins at 8 p.m. at 1163 Valley River Drive. Reservations suggested. 687-0356.

Friday night: Borders Books and Music's Harry Potter Eve Celebration will count down the hours to the midnight release with dragon mask-making, Bertie-Bott flavor guessing, trivia quizzes and magic potion formulations. Begins at 9 p.m. at 5 Oakway Center. 345-6072.

Friday night: The University of Oregon Bookstore's Midnight Release Party begins at 9 p.m. with books going on sale at the stroke of midnight at 895 E. 13th St.

Saturday: Books Without Borders, the new bookstore in The Strand building downtown, hosts a Wizarding Festival with storytelling, music, Hogwarts School photos and magic projects from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 199 W. Eighth Ave. It's free, but a donation is requested for the school libraries project. 248-2838.

CAPTION(S):

Publisher Scholastic Inc. has allowed a peek at the cover art for ``Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.'' But the rest of the book is under wraps until 12:01 a.m. Saturday.