[HPforGrownups] Re: HP as childrens' books

[Glenda and Danny Millgate]

No: HPFGUIDX 22294

I agree with Amy. While my 5 year old isnt interested, several children in my 7 year old's class have read it or had it read to them, or heard the tapes, and just adore it. Kate shows some clear understanding of plot and motivation....and those parts she doesnt get, she asks about.

Harry Potter has been invaluable in our lives as a story we are all familiar with. Several times we have been discussing 'real life' and someone has said, 'It's just like in Harry Potter and XXX where so and so did XYZ'.

Katie has some anxiety problems at school, especially when dealling with teachers if she's in trouble. The special education teacher is developing a story for us to read to her as a sort of reassurance, to help with this. She's based it on Harry Potter. It talks about Katie and her teachers (her favorite teacher is nearly as cool as Professor Lupin), and when she's frightened, she imagines her own patronus to protect her and keep her safe. she chose a phoenix as her patronus, which is where the Dumbledore/Phoenix discussion started.

I fell in love with Lord of the Rings when I was home with the chickenpox at 9 years old...read the whole lot in a week. Similar story, children experiencing what is essentially an adult book. I have read and re-read the series several times throuhgout my life, and each time I get something new out of it.

So, dribbling on here, I really think that the magic of Harry Potter is its appeal to all ages and stages. Actually, the NYT should probably have it in BOTH categories!

Glenda

>This is a really sad commentary on what children are expected to be 
able to read.

I totally agree that HP is not *only* for children, but this suggests 
that it is beyond the audience the publishers claim will enjoy it.  
There are 6-year-olds of my acquaintance who are enjoying the books 
thoroughly and understanding them very well--they'll understand them 
better when they're 10, and still enjoy them when they're 33 <g>, but 
the books are emphatically not too long or complex for them.

I hope HP has a lasting effect in redefining what children are 
capable and willing to read.  How many times have we heard it 
said, "It's so amazing to see children reading a 700-page novel!"?  I 
hope it will stop being amazing soon and start being a case of 
children looking at long and complex books and saying "Hey, if I read 
Goblet of Fire, I can read this!"

Amy Z



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 reall


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