Comparing and Composing Digital Re-presentations of Literature: Multimedia Authoring and Meta-communicative Knowledge

Abstract

Literature remains a vital interest for a very significant number of children and adolescents, as recently demonstrated by the massive sales of J. R. Rowling's 'Harry Potter' books, and the demonstrative devotion of many young readers to these stories. But the interactions of young enthusiasts with the story-world of Harry Potter often extend well beyond the covers of the books and their movie adaptations, into the world of cyberspace where today's young people are so much at home. The plethora of Harry Potter websites, many of which are developed and managed by juvenile 'webmasters' demonstrates both profound and playful engagement with the book-based narratives through online chat room discussions, reviews and commentaries, as well as avid exploration of new forms of related game narratives, and the generation of adjunct 'fan fiction' and image-focused creations elaborating interpretations of many aspects of the stories.