Hello, everyone!

[ssg_boy at yahoo.com]

Original Yahoo! HPFG Header:
No: HPFGUIDX C70
From: ssg_boy
Subject: Re: Hello, everyone!
Reply To: [Yahoo! #67] Hello, everyone!
Date: 10/29/99 11:52 am  (ET)

amy_bel wrote:

<It seems to me that parts of the books, especially the third, have
been rather dark and kind of scary. Yet, every child I know from second
grade on up is reading these books. Not only that, but Ms. Rowling has
promised the following novels to be even darker. I don't know if I would
read these books to a second grader.>

amy_bel,

Good point. It's interesting to hear that you had a "self-regulating"
second grader who knew when she should lay off the Harry books (i.e.,
right before bed).

Let's remember that there's a part of us that wants to explore this
mystical, magical territory and be scared. You're a lot closer to that age
than I am <g>, but I still remember being scared by segments of the movies
"The Wizard of Oz" and Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein." You think
Voldemort is scary? How about that green-skinned Wicked Witch of the West?

Parents should certainly be involved, monitoring what their kids are
ready for, and talking with them about reality versus fantasy, symbols,
metaphor, and the ultimate triumph of good over evil.

Ms. Rowling did promise that the novels would be darker, but she also
said that after the final book we would all understand.

Thanks for the message. Welcome to the club.

Brian