Steve Vander Ark was an educator and school librarian for fifteen years, teaching and reading aloud to kids from pre-school age on up. He also served as curriculum consultant and trainer in literacy and educational technology for teachers and parents. He has also been a theatre director, performer, composer, and playwright, entertaining audiences of all ages. He is the author of two books, In Search of Harry Potter and The Lexicon An Unauthorized Guide to Harry Potter Fiction. Steve Vander Ark's Harry Potter Lexicon website is visited by millions of visitors annually. For years fans have enjoyed Steve's presentations and keynotes talks at major academic conferences on the Harry Potter novels, including Sectus in London, Patronus in Copenhagen, Lumos in Las Vegas, and Prophecy in Toronto. Vander Ark, who has read the Potter novels more than 40 times, has been interviewed many times by the media, including appearances on the Today Show and the BBC Radio, plus numerous interviews in publications such as the New Yorker, Time Magazine, and the Guardian. His interview for an A& E television special on the series appears as part of the extra section on the DVD edition of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. A former school media specialist, Vander Ark has been honored by fans of the series who appreciate his insights into the books. The Association for Library Services for Children, a division of the American Library Association, has named the Lexicon website one 15 "Great Web Sites For Kids."