Sorry Ellen,

But I don't have a lot of time to read fun things. I've spent a great deal of time reading "literature" and prefer it to most fiction. That's just me. If it's getting kids to read other things, great, but how many of them are going to read anything real?

Reading other fantastic stuff, spurred on by HP, is like watching more sitcoms because you like Friends. Hardly mind expanding. Our church has a book reading program for our kids, which they can enroll in once they begin to read. While they are welcome to read HP, he ask them to read other things too - biorgraphy, history, historic fiction and other subjects. Things that the local public schools don't even bother with.

There is noting wrong with "fun" reading, but if kids are reading fun stuff nearly all the time that they are reading - just how different is that to playing videos or watching movies?

And do any of you (and please understand that I'm not indicting you) who are parents, sit down asn discuss the events in the books?

Do you have discussions of what exactly is magic and witchcraft?

How about the protrayal of muggles (since I have not read any of the books but the first, I'm no expert, but are there significant positive representations of muggles, or are your kids being taught that it's alright to stereotype)?

Do non-British kids understand the public/private school concept?

Is there any question why nearly all the main characters are white and middle to upper middle class?

Do you discuss the magical creatures and where in mythology/folklore the author got them?


That was how I was brought up. My father always sat me down after I finished a book (he had already read it) and we discussed it - what didn't I understand. What did I learn, etc. I will admit that even HP can teach kids (and adult) things, but one must examine the information before one truly understands it.


Sorry to go on.