[HPforGrownups] Re: HP as childrens' books

[Saitaina]

No: HPFGUIDX 22295

I myself wouldn't classify HP a children's book, but a Young Adult.  While a
great number of younger kids can and do enjoy it, (I used to volunteer at
local elementary school and the Harry Potter readers was very high in the
younger ages), I do believe that Young Adult age group (I believe 10-18)
would benefit mostly from these books as it's right within their age range
character wise.

I was not a child that really read many children's or adult books in the
years of growing up.  I went strait from pooh at 6 to The Baby Sitter's
Club.  It took until I was 17 to shake the BSC and move on into more 'adult
books' but I remember of the few YA's I read beyond the BSC there were a lot
of plots that were just as complicated as that in GoF.  And for the scare
factor, there was a big RL Stine and Christopher Pike era in my town when I
was 8 and I read every single one published at the time then moved onto
Steven King.  But of course, each child is diffrent. :)

What I'm saying is that it should not amaze anyone that a child of young age
can understand the concepts in any of the books.  Some get them, some may
not.   Some children get the subtle hints in the books that I over look.

 (Cute example, a four year old and a five year old I baby sit were absently
listening to GoF in my car while I drove them to a library reading, when we
got there and I turned off the car, little Alex, the four year old turned to
me, and asked if Ron and Her-my-knee were going to make kissy faces after
the the Yule Ball.  I asked him why he asked and he said because they are in
wuv.  I myself thought the fight was for a diffrent reason but I digress).

BUT!  It should not be classified as a children's book alone.  Harry Potter
in reality defines all the typical catagories but would do great as a Young
Adult.  I know many teenagers who don't read it because it used to be
shelved next to the House on pooh corner in Walden's up here.   I think it's
a shame that the age range that could get the most out of it, can't really
be seen with it because of it's classification.

By the way, if this makes no sense I just woke up and everyone can ignore
me.  :)

Saitaina