The following has been gleaned from my comment box, where a healthy and helpful discussion has been going on re. HP.
Barbara says: I have one bit of advice for moms who haven’t read them, but would maybe start with Book One. My advice is start with the most recent book. If it makes you think twice for just a moment, don’t let your children read them. I believe that the Harry Potter books are like the frog in the cold water — eventually the frog boils. Harry Potter started fun and “fantastic.” By the third book, it’s fairly scary and further on becomes dark and even gruesome. I think most parents, had they seen from the very beginning where Harry Potter was going to end up, would have said “no thanks.”
Denise says: I adore the Harry Books. I think they are a great story of love and friendship. Like Michelle said, Nancy Brown has written a nice Catholic Guide for families. Her book has had several really positive reviews; I’d definitely use it as a guide if you’re thinking about HP.
Jamie says: I think the danger is that this wizardry stuff is very real, kids messing with the occult, etc, is a very real thing out there.
Stacey says: I have little to say except I agree with many of you on this point: there is so much good CLASSIC literature out there, we’ll never have enough time to read ALL of them – so why are we throwing in pop-fiction??
Barb says: We have allowed Big Brother to read Harry Potter ever since he was in second grade and got interested in it. While my husband and I read the first couple (more to see if they were appropriate in content and reading level to a child of his age & ability), we have stopped “previewing” the books for him. As an English major, I want my son to enjoy fiction and to understand what fiction is. I think we’re good on both counts.
Barb later went on to say: I have only read the first 3 or maybe 4 books but my husband has read them all (he’s in the middle of the last one). He remarked yesterday that the books are increasing in terms of reading difficulty and “dark” subject matter. We talked about how there were Little Kids (age 4 or 5) at the bookstore event, and how there are Little Kids whose parents think this is good bedtime read-aloud stuff. He said that maybe only the first 2 books qualify for that. His rating for book 7 was “PG-13.”
Here is my take:
- Many of you blogging moms have said that you’ve purchased the book and enjoy the series. Given that you have earned my respect and my love in a hundred other ways, I trust that you know what’s best for your family and are well aware of the gray areas surrounding this multi-million-dollar phenomenon.
- I am mildly suspicious of J.K. Rowling. I don’t know why. (Is it because she’s a multi-millionaire?)
- I don’t like that the number of books on the occult seem to be increasing exponentially with every Harry Potter book, and I hate that they’re being marketed to our pre-teens and young adults. I don’t care if it’s big business. Buyer beware.
- And finally, none of my kids have asked to read Harry Potter or to see the movies, so it’s really a non-issue around here. We have been happily out of the loop before and we will be there again (and again). Right now my oldest is devouring books from the Chronicles of Narnia and from the Hardy Boys series. He’s content, and so’s his mum.
Have a blessed Sunday, everyone!
Margaret, I’m not sure that the increase on “occult” books for teens/tweens has much to do with Harry Potter. I remember quite a few of them from my own teen years. BUT a recent browse of the teen section at my local Big Box Bookstore showed me that there are pretty much 3 “genres” for that age group:
Occult
Sex
Suicide
You can find other books that don’t fit those categories, but most books fit in one or more of these.
In addition, they are mostly marketed to girls. I think the book publishers have decided that teen boys don’t read.
I want to thank you for providing a forum to discuss this issue that has not degenerated into name-calling and finger-pointing. It’s nice to be able to talk about our experiences with this book and our family, and have a repsectful discussion even when we don’t always agree.
As for suspecting the author’s motives, I’m right there with you. I think I suspected them a LOT less before she interrupted the writing of the books to begin making the movies. The big gap between books that was created at that time is the reason I never got past the halfway mark of the series–too much time had passed, and I haven’t had the time (or interest–these are just not my favorite type of book) to go back and reread the first few before moving on.
I agree totally with you Margaret. My son is also into Hardy Boys Mysteries, which is fine with me! I don’t even think he knows what Harry Potter is!
I don’t feel any particular affection for the author, either, though I can’t put my finger on why. I like the advice to read the end first. I’ve just told Delaney to stop reading after her current volume (book 3) until I have a chance to review. She mentioned that this one was scarier than the first two, as well.
I have to agree with something Barb said, the last few books are definitely PG13. While I have really enjoyed the entire series, I am an adult. I don’t think I would let my kids read them until they are at least teenagers.
I think the books are an incredible story, but I also think there were WAY too many small children at the HP events this past week. The first books are ok for younger ones, but by the last book there are already a few instances of adult behavior (cursing and drinking fire whiskey) that ARE NOT appropriate for youngsters. It really disturbs me when I hear of young kids watching the movies—because visual images are so very powerful.
And as a last note…the tone of this whole discussion has been remarkable. Very few forums have been able to discuss HP without things turning ugly. Margaret, I would say that this discussion is definitely a reflection on the peacefulness and holiness you show to others that has allowed so many readers to weigh in with their opinions.
Happy Sunday to you!
Hi Margaret!
I’m in the same boat you are…frankly, none of my children have EVER asked to read these books. We’ve been too busy reading everything else: Tolkien, Lewis, George McDonald fairy tales, London, Cooper, you name it. I remain suspicious of all things that are “pitched” and “marketed” in such a frenzied and frantic manner. I’m just a “tad” stubborn, and will probably never read them simply because everyone else is ;-D
BTW, our Holy Father is opposed to these books, and though this is certainly no dogmatic or doctrinal issue, I respect his opinion.
I agree, Margaret. Thank you for this lovely discussion. Everyone HAS been so gentle an respectful.
I am a big reader. Fantasy has never been one of my favorites so I would not choose to read something like HP in the first place. I have read articles and heard talks on both sides of the story. I have heard some convincing arguments on both sides. But I am still uncomfortable with the HP books in general. I have never read any of the books nor seen the movies, but as Kimberly just said above, I am wary of somehting so marketed and hyped. It is too much of “the in thing” for me.
Thankfully my oldest is only 6. He has no idea what HP is. Without being either totally for or totally against the series, I figure we will just ignore it and let it run its course. There are sooooooo many works of literature for my children to read in future years that I figure we don’t need to spend our time with something questionable. There are many works of literature I have yet to read. I best get busy.
I just pray that everyone considers the issue prayerfully. There is no dogma here and I think we all want the best for our children.
God bless you all.
There is a very good discussion about HP going on a the Real Learning forum. Lots of interesting food for thought there. I’m with you, Margaret–it’s not something I would really want my children to read–luckily this whole craze will have died out by the time mine are old enough to read it!
I have allowed HP, with guidance, for my two older girls. (And this is Nancy Brown’s take in her book, too — read, guide, discuss.)
We moved into the books slowly, with read-alouds at first (after I previewed). While I don’t think young children should be handed the 7-book series without comment or reservation, as they certainly do get more dark, complex and PG-13 later in the series, I must say that we have loved the series and they’ve been the source of much delight and great conversation.
We talk about everything in the books, from the mistakes the characters make to the symbolism. And, Book 7 is drenched in Christian symbolism. I don’t want to give anything away, but the overriding themes are love (especially self-sacrificing love) and friendship and doing what is right over what is easy.
No fence here, but there is guidance, as there is with all fiction at our house.