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Agreed. I know several parents who don't approve and some who wouldn't let their children read past the second book. Plus, though they teach great life lessons, the characters are flawed role models and encourage constant rule breaking - not to say children should never read Harry Potter, but they need to have a level of maturity before doing so. :)
Of course, I'm a big proponent of parental involvement in children's education and I think they should be the ones to decide if their child is mature enough. So giving the responsibility to teachers to decide on a classroom-wide reading level... eh, that doesn't seem doable to me.
"...it deals with the idea that wizardry is real." <- This is, perhaps, the most lame excuse prevent someone from reading the books I've heard. Most parents who use this excuse are ones who listen to ignorant gossip and misinterpretations of the books. They decide to take other's opinions of the books instead of actually reading them and forming their own. I'm sure the majority allows their children to watch Disney movies that are packed with evil sorcerers, fairy godmothers, and magic in general. The only difference is Harry Potter isn't animated. Children are more intelligent than most people give them credit for. By the second grade, they should have already come to terms with "Magic isn't real." Futhermore, Harry Potter doesn't "promote" witchcraft or wizardry. It's just an element that has been thrown in that keeps children interested, to feed their imagination.
"The characters aren't good role models." <- The world isn't perfect and nor are the characters in Harry Potter. Each character has his or her own flaws which makes it that much more engaging. You can relate with the characters: Their triumphs, heartaches, and failure. Their indecisiveness and courage. Their rule-breaking and sly behavior. It's the way the characters learn and grow from experience that makes these book that much more magical. There are so many lessons for children and adults to learn from these books about love, death, choice, and friendship. Maybe, people should start picking them up more often.
I think it would be completely appropriate to read the first 2 books in the series to a 2nd grade class. We have no problem allowing our children to read or be read "James and the Giant Peach", "Matilda", or any fairy-tale you pick off the shelf. Why not something with substance and meaning? Children need to be educated about life and Harry Potter does a wonderful job of doing so. Read it and the kids will make friends within the book that they can grow up with, cry with, and celebrate with.
It may not be, because I know of many Christians who will not allow their children to read Harry Potter because of the magical element.
Yes. I know some who won't let their children read LOTR and other fantasy books either. :/ They read a lot of historical fiction!
You could always have a permission slip, and if parents say no to the HP books, then you could choose another, but leave Harry Potter available to the other students to read themselves.
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Bethel
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Jul 26, 2011 09:51AM
Agreed. I know several parents who don't approve and some who wouldn't let their children read past the second book. Plus, though they teach great life lessons, the characters are flawed role models and encourage constant rule breaking - not to say children should never read Harry Potter, but they need to have a level of maturity before doing so. :)
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Of course, I'm a big proponent of parental involvement in children's education and I think they should be the ones to decide if their child is mature enough. So giving the responsibility to teachers to decide on a classroom-wide reading level... eh, that doesn't seem doable to me.
"...it deals with the idea that wizardry is real." <- This is, perhaps, the most lame excuse prevent someone from reading the books I've heard. Most parents who use this excuse are ones who listen to ignorant gossip and misinterpretations of the books. They decide to take other's opinions of the books instead of actually reading them and forming their own. I'm sure the majority allows their children to watch Disney movies that are packed with evil sorcerers, fairy godmothers, and magic in general. The only difference is Harry Potter isn't animated. Children are more intelligent than most people give them credit for. By the second grade, they should have already come to terms with "Magic isn't real." Futhermore, Harry Potter doesn't "promote" witchcraft or wizardry. It's just an element that has been thrown in that keeps children interested, to feed their imagination. "The characters aren't good role models." <- The world isn't perfect and nor are the characters in Harry Potter. Each character has his or her own flaws which makes it that much more engaging. You can relate with the characters: Their triumphs, heartaches, and failure. Their indecisiveness and courage. Their rule-breaking and sly behavior. It's the way the characters learn and grow from experience that makes these book that much more magical. There are so many lessons for children and adults to learn from these books about love, death, choice, and friendship. Maybe, people should start picking them up more often.
I think it would be completely appropriate to read the first 2 books in the series to a 2nd grade class. We have no problem allowing our children to read or be read "James and the Giant Peach", "Matilda", or any fairy-tale you pick off the shelf. Why not something with substance and meaning? Children need to be educated about life and Harry Potter does a wonderful job of doing so. Read it and the kids will make friends within the book that they can grow up with, cry with, and celebrate with.
It may not be, because I know of many Christians who will not allow their children to read Harry Potter because of the magical element.
Yes. I know some who won't let their children read LOTR and other fantasy books either. :/ They read a lot of historical fiction!
You could always have a permission slip, and if parents say no to the HP books, then you could choose another, but leave Harry Potter available to the other students to read themselves.
