OOP: Really for Children?!

[Milz]

No: HPFGUIDX 63044

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, CareALotsClouds at a... wrote:
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> Maybe I am looking too much into it as an adult.  Maybe it will go 
over kids 
> heads.  But didnt people find this disturbing?  I know someone else 
said 
> something on this subject.  But I was just do disturbed after 
reading this.  Harry 
> and co. have really grown up, they are doing grown up things, 
thinking grown 
> up things, and yet there are 8 year olds reading this.  Am I 
underestimating 
> them or something?  But isnt it disturbing how Umbridge punishes 
Harry?  Isnt it 
> disturbing about James treatment of Snape?  Will kids understand 
all of the 
> political undertones and the angst?  Surely its only going to get 
more grown 
> up?  I dont know how much kids take in, I dont know how much of 
this book they 
> will appreiciate.  But its all so... adultish.. (yea I could of 
come up with a 
> better word).  And what about the death?  There was no blood (apart 
from 
> Nevilles nose bleed... and can I mention blood when Harry was 
writing into his 
> hands with Umbridge again?!) but don't you think that the Veil may 
scare children? 
>  I thinkt eh fact that Harry could hear voices behind it is the 
most chilling 
> thing I have ever read, or even, ever thought of.
> What do you guys think?
> Loadsa love
> Nic xx
> 

Classic children's books, such as "Tom Sawyer" and "Huckleberry 
Finn", featured children (younger than Harry and Co.) dealing with 
witnessing murder, testifying in court, begin chased by a murderer in 
a cave, leading a runaway slave to freedom, almost drowning, 
etc. "Little Women", on the other hand, dealt with death, marriage, 
and other family issues. Even the innocously titled, "Rebecca of 
Sunnybrook Farm" was less than "sunny" in the issues it addressed. 
Other classic chidren's books, such as "Kim" by Kipling, 
and "Treasure Island", featured child heroes in harsh and not-so-nice 
situations.  

If you compare HP with "classic" children's lit, then he's just 
right, imo.

As to whether or not a child as young as 8 should be reading these 
books, well, I leave that up to the parents to decide. 

~Milz