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Northern Star

Northern Illinois University’s student media since 1899

 

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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

Maggie Smith looks at the camera. The beloved British actress will always be remembered for her iconic role as Minerva McGonagall in the "Harry Potter" franchise. (Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)

Remembering Dame Maggie Smith

By Caleb Johnson, Lifestyle Writer | September 1, 2024

A shining star has faded; actress Maggie Smith died Friday at age 89.  The famed British actress had a long and prolific career that spanned generations. Her first movie role was in the 1956 film “Child in the House”, a movie about an 11 year...

J.K. Rowling's history of controversial tweets has led "Harry Potter" fans questioning the franchise.

Art should be separated from the artist

By Parker Otto | January 10, 2022
J.K. Rowling may be one of the defining authors of my childhood, but I detest the comments she has made invalidating transgender people. But why should art suffer? It’s still the same art, after all, and as long as it doesn’t contain anything that condones the actions of the artist, I see no reason why this art shouldn’t be celebrated.
J.K. Rowling said in an interview “Harry Potter” character (right) Hermione (Emma Watson) should not have ended up with (left) Ron (Rupert Grint). 

Rowling crushes Potter fans

By Melissa Boylan | February 3, 2014

I shed tears while burning my “Harry Potter” books after hearing J.K. Rowling wanted to split Ron and Hermione.Rowling’s confession was as a big of a mistake as the death of Fred Weasley. If Hermione and Ron aren’t supposed to be together, what...

Pop culture finds way into new courses

By Allison Krecek | December 4, 2013

Listening to Tupac, reading the Hunger Games and playing Dungeons and Dragons are all things students can do in classes coming next semester.The College of Education has created 15 classes available to all. The courses have been promoted through posters...

What’s the deal with all these owls?

By Danny Cozzi | August 28, 2013

I embarrassingly admit I probably know less about Harry Potter than anybody else in the world.So, in honor of my lack of awareness of that dude with a “Z” scarred on his face, I embarked on a journey Tuesday to discover what this whole Harry Potter...

Young Harry Potter fans enjoy a game of chess Tuesday at the Harry Potter Party held at the DeKalb Public Library, 309 Oak St. in a reenactment of the chess theme prevalent in the first book, The Sorcerer's Stone.

Harry Potter magic comes alive at DeKalb library

By Kevin Bartelt | August 28, 2013

It was a long broom ride from 4 Privet Drive to 309 Oak St., the DeKalb Public Library.Hogwarts felt closer to home Wednesday as the librarians hosted a Harry Potter Party in honor of the 15th anniversary of Harry’s arrival in the States. Young DeKalbians...

Harry Potter at the Public Library

By Paul Skager | August 28, 2013

Members of NIU's quidditch club - (left to right) Jackie Fink, sophomore psychology major, Joe Wharram, junior sociology major, Nicole Bruno, sophomore nursing major, Allison McKenzie, junior business administration major, and Katrina Carpenter, senior...

Don’t judge a movie by its’ book

By Kayla Nebel | October 3, 2012

Harry Potter, The Hunger Games and Lord of the Rings. To some, these titles describe stories unraveled through black text. To others, these are actors moving across a silver screen. Both versions tell a unique story, and each should be appreciated as...

Potter no more

Potter no more

By Shelby Devitt | September 11, 2012

J.K. Rowling, author of the much-beloved Harry Potter book series, is releasing her first novel since 2007, when readers said goodbye to the cast of magical characters our generation grew up with. The releases of the last few Harry Potter films has kept...

In this publicity photo released by Summit Entertainment, James
(Cam Gigandet) has a stranglehold on Edward (Robert Pattinson) in
Twilight. Breaking Dawn Part 1, the fourth film of the Twilight
saga, comes out Nov. 18.

Is ‘Twilight’ running out of breath?

By Melissa McKenna | October 31, 2011

It's been four years since the first movie of Twilight and all its mania, but the question that remains is: Has the Twilight phenomena settled down and has its peak years passed? The past three movies, Twilight, New Moon and Eclipse, have surpassed one...

Don’t quidditch before you start

By Melissa McKenna | September 21, 2011

Quidditch: It's the sport of the wizards. Filled with brooms, bludgers, beaters, seekers and, most importantly, the golden snitch, it combines almost every element of athleticism and magic that a person could possibly ask for. Unfortunately for us Muggles,...