BlogHer - Harry Potter - Comments

I disagree completely. In a

avflox — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 23:32:41 -0500

I disagree completely. In a world where television, video games and the web are such a prominent feature of many children's lives, I am grateful for the triumph by Rowling that brought the novel back.

If the books appear simple, it is that they are intended to be accessible to both children and adults. Austen's books, in their time, were largely viewed as simple as well. And one of the reasons that Dickens became as popular in his time was his ability to create characters everyone could relate to, as Rowling has done masterfully in her books also.

Dickens' works brought social issues center stage, yes. But I think to claim that there are no social implications in the Harry Potter series is a gross injustice. Rowling openly discusses racism when she talks about half-bloods and muggles. She illustrates hate crimes committed against them in horrific detail. There are also statements made about government bureaucracy and its almost inherent inability to rise at a time of crisis. And how could we forget the underlying theme of the role of the media in shaping public opinion--and who better to characterize Rowling's critique of sensationalism and lack of ethics in reporting as the insidious Rita Skeeter?

Lastly, if brevity is an issue, then we ought to crucify Hugo and Tolstoy--who needs so much information about the Paris aqueducts? Who needs the minute details of Pierre's journey into Freemasonry? Right? I mean, right?

That notion, more than anything Rowling has ever written, is what makes me want to say: lazy reader. But I won't.

Instead I'll say, "thanks for reading." Because I am.

potter junk food

arabianspeed — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 22:41:49 -0500

Religious views aside, HP incourages kids to be lazy readers. Read this for more info http://laurenperez.blogspot.com/2009/08/series-review-harry-potter-and-a...

Great Question!

Alanna Kellogg — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 10:18:58 -0500

Since a cookbook wasn't mentioned in all the posts I explored, it didn't occur to me to look. But there is a Harry Potter-inspired cookbook, yes, it's A Wizard in the Kitchen.

Alanna Kellogg
Kitchen Parade &
A Veggie Venture

Harry Potter recipes

jewels053 — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 10:09:23 -0500

I've seen the movies but never read the books. I did not know there were recipes out there. Is there a cook book for Potter fans?

yeah snow white scared me!!!!

notUrtypicalGma — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 01:10:34 -0500

i saw snow white at the drive in years ago i don't remember my exact age but it scared me a lot! i can still see the evil queen yikes, but last night i took my girls to that same drive in. one is nine the other 13 older but yea they liked it and we loove scary movies, there are some things they aren't allowed to watch, they are at an age where they can decide if its too scary for them. although i would not say harry potter is scary, more fantasy it does have that good versus evil theme. and we all know in the movies good usually wins out, i think life is more scary!

i was a little dissapointed though i was hoping for more but it seems harry is growing up and so it would follow that the themes are maturing too!

I agree with that

mashadutoit — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 00:50:00 -0500

Whatever you think of the religious aspects, just the plain scaryness is what is the main focus here...or should be. It reminds me of watching "Spirited Away" which was marketed as a movie for kids over here. Its really not. Its very scary. Kids were crying and having to leave.

The question is about KIDS seeing the movie...

KeegsMom — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 16:56:29 -0500

As someone who blogs about kids and movies (and how to NOT see Shrek again and again and again), I'm constantly looking at issues in film and attempting to discern whether or not they are appropriate for the younger set, the older set, or the in-betweeners.

This HP film is reputed to be very dark and very scary... I was surprised to hear it earned a PG rating. Some parents are letting their 8 yr olds see it, others aren't ... My own son, at age 8, would not have done well with it. Scary themes stayed with him for a long time and often resulted in sleepless nights. Only you really know your kids!

There is a site I find very helpful in looking CLOSELY at films and what's in them. It's called Kids in Mind. For some reason I can't get the text to link right now, so here is the URL (it's also linked on my blog, KidsFlix).

http://www.kids-in-mind.com/h/harrypotterandthehalfbloodprince.htm

-KeegsMom

KIDSFLIX

http://kidsflix.blogspot.com

I'd Wait for the dvd for younger viewers.

windysblog — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 12:57:11 -0500

I saw the movie yesterday and wrote a blog about it. Here's part of what I stated:

"There were a few intense scenes that I think are borderline scary. I really wouldn't recommend the film for young children. I suggest waiting for the dvd version for the young ones, and then they can view it in the comfort zone of their home on a smaller screen where things don't seem so scary."

If you're interested, you can read about the whole experience (where a fire broke out in the theatre) at windysblog.com.

Chicks On Bikes - recommend

cshook — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 12:08:09 -0500

I can tell you I'm overwhelmingly excited for Chicks On Bikes to come out - the first lifestyle photographic book and stories about real women bikers. Ok, it is my book. But check it out - www.chicksonbikes.us

If you can get him away from the Harry Potter stuff

sassymonkey — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 11:03:33 -0500

I might recommend The Mysterious Benedict Society books. They are kind of long but puzzles and brain twisters play a big part of the narrative. They are aimed at about the same age group as HP. It might send him on a word puzzle/brain twister binge.

If he resists reading other books maybe you could point out that Hermione reads lots and lots of books. ;-)

Sassymonkey and Sassymonkey Reads.

Re: Are You Going To Let Your Kids Watch The

amberlerose — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 10:48:14 -0500

My daughter, nine, read all the books. She's not going to be worried about the movies. As for my 7yo son, he saw Anakin go bad in Star Wars III... something I decided is a lot more morally ambiguous than most things that happen in HP. (We ended up likening Anakin's fall to Lucifer's, so it's not a bad Christian lesson anyway.)

The thing is, you can make a Christian (or moral, anyway) lesson out of anything! It's all about talking to your kids, experiencing things with them so you can provide a balanced lens.

Oh, and about the magic thing -- magic, in her books, is just a metaphor for power. Good people have power too, but they use it appropriately. Great lesson for kids. Be responsible with your power in life.

Amber Le Rose
children's author
http://www.MindsBase.com

Great ideas!

Just_Margaret — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 08:58:48 -0500

Thank you! And I agree--the lego is a bit rich for my wallet, but perhaps we can help equip him make a diorama type of thing!

One of my challenges with my boy is the fact that though he can read exceptionally well, and has incredible memory and recall skills, he's still just a little boy. It's hard to find activities that tie in with his interests that are still age-appropriate to his physical & emotional age.

~Margaret

I think it's pretty awesome

sassymonkey — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 08:15:02 -0500

But I do understand your concerns. I think my heart broke just a little reading him say, "Magic IS real!" In a sense he's right. Our imaginations are magical places and we really believe in them for such a short period of time.

I don't suppose he'd be satisfied with creating miniature Harry Potter sets? Maybe a Hogwarts made out of popsicle sticks or something? (I'd suggest the Lego sets but gosh are they expensive.)

Sassymonkey and Sassymonkey Reads.

kids seeing HP

magsmadison — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 21:44:55 -0500

These are very uplifting stories and dare I say they teach some Christian values. The idea that if someone fights the good fight, it will eventually beat evil, is a very good lesson.

I love Harry Potter the books and films and intend on seeing every one. HOWEVER, I think my kids are too young. I can't wait until they are old enough to experience Harry. I don't know the magic age, but I'll know it when I see it!

If I Had Kids I Would

glitterrayne — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 12:10:02 -0500

I am not a Christian first off. I understand where they are coming from trying to teach their kids their values though.

But honestly I fel as though there are some very good themes in Harry Potter. Among the fighting and the magic Harry has been trying to fight against evil. Do you think this is wrong? I don't. The themes throughout the books have been friendship, helping others, fighting evil and being good students. Dy ou think these themes are bad for your kids?

I feel as though parents hould be parents .tell the kids that this is a movie, this isn't real life. You're not going to turn the lights on with a magic wand (unless of course you have remote control operated lighting!) and you're not going to fly on a broom. If a parent is concerned about the movie being too scary for the kids that's fine. Just go by the ratings system and you should be fine. But don't go on talking about how evil the movie is and how it undermines your beliefs. It's just a movie!