[HPFGU-OTChatter] Happy World Book Day

[Richelle Votaw]

At 10:49 AM +0000 3/6/03, Ali wrote:
>
>Are teenagers still allowed to like Harry?

I don't know exactly.  At my school the highest grade is 6th (generally speaking that's 11 and 12 year olds, but some are a bit older.  Some a good bit older.) grade.  I teach the 4th, 5th, and 6th graders in the afternoons.  They all know (as does everyone else at the school) about my, um, interest in Harry Potter.  Therefore if anyone's reading it at the time, they make a point of carrying the book around so that I'll see it.  Some of them, on the rare (ha!) occasion they are in a bad mood use Harry as a point of insult.  For example, we may be discussing Greek architecture and they suddenly burst out with "I think Harry Potter is boring!"  For that one I have the perfect come back.  I nod slightly and say, "Yes, well, I suppose you're still a bit young for Harry."  Their eyes get big and they fall silent right away.  Works every time.  

One of the sixth grade teachers at my school has been reading HP to her classes, she's currently on Prisoner of Azkaban.  She told me today that without fail, every time she picks up the book at least one student in her class pops up to say "Ms. Votaw likes Harry Potter."  Or "Ms. Votaw has a Harry Potter booksack."  Or "Ms. Votaw has Harry Potter on her keychain."  Or "Ms. Votaw has Harry Potter posters in her room." or "Ms. Votaw has a Gryffindor banner in her class."  And so on.  My badge of honor.  I'm famous.

What is my point?  I don't know.  I think it depends on the child. The ones I work with are fairly below level, so it is nothing unusual at all if they don't develop an interest in Harry until they are nearly teenagers.  (Except, of course, for my first graders who will be reading Harry as soon as they learn to read well enough I'm sure.)

Richelle


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