Helping Muggle children handle end of book 6 (spoilers)

[juli17 at aol.com]

Mary wrote:

>> Helping Muggle children handle end of book 6 (spoilers)

As more and more young  (under age 10) children are finishing book 
6, I am having to explain, help understand, soothe, and otherwise deal with some very upset children. 

Does anyone have suggestions on how to handle this? My son, who 
is 14, says he can't talk about it because he is too upset. A ten year old girl just looks at me and cries. A 9 year old boy is angry and yelling at everyone about it. <<
 

I don't know if it would help, but I would remind them that it's a story. I do realize kids don't always see the distinction (heck, we adults don't always see the distinction since we can care about fictional characters almost as much as real people!)
 
I would also tell them that appearances can be deceiving, especially
in Harry Potter. Dumbledore is a very powerful wizard, and I don't  believe for a minute he wasn't directing his own destiny. (And, yes, I am a believer that Snape did what Dumbledore asked, and is on the side of good, though not everyone holds that position). Dumbledore himself said that death was just the next big adventure, and he had no fear of it. I would emphasize to children that fact, and that Dumbledore will continue to exist in his own way, and I'm sure he will be there again in one way or another when Harry needs him.
 
Hope that helps, 

Julie