This image supplied by Scholastic on Wednesday March 28, 2007, shows the cover of the U.S. edition of the highly anticipated 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, 'J.K. Rowling's seventh and final Harry Potter book due in stores just after midnight on July 21, 2007.(AP Photo/Scholastic)
The children's edition book jacket for the upcoming book 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows' is shown in this undated publicity photograph released by Bloomsbury Publishing March 28, 2007. The book by author J.K. Rowling will be published July 21. [Reuters/Bloomsbury Publishing]
The adult edition book jacket for the upcoming book 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows' is shown in this undated publicity photograph released by Bloomsbury Publishing March 28, 2007. The book by author J.K. Rowling will be published July 21.[Reuters/Bloomsbury Publishing]
NEW YORK - What picture shows a dramatic gold and orange sky and a teenage boy in glasses reaching upward?
It's the cover to the seventh and final Harry Potter book, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," coming out July 21. As always, the cover was designed by illustrator Mary GrandPre, U.S. publisher Scholastic, Inc., announced Wednesday.
"The structures around Harry show evident destruction and in the shadows behind him, we see outlines of other people," David Saylor, Scholastic's art director, said in a statement.
"For the first time, the cover is a wraparound. On the back cover spidery hands are outstretched toward Harry. Only when the book is opened does one see a powerful image of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, his glowing red eyes peering out from his hood."
J.K. Rowling's fantasy series has sold more than 325 million copies worldwide. "Deathly Hallows" has an announced first printing of 12 million in the United States alone.
The cover for the children's edition released by Bloomsbury Publishing PLC, Rowling's British publisher, shows an adult-looking Harry, Hermione and Ron. The adult edition has a photograph of a locket bearing a serpentine "S" ¡ª believed to be the "horcrux" in which Lord Voldemort keeps a fragment of his soul.