I agree with the author that Harry Potter is a book that should be used to help children become avid readers. Many books over the years have been criticized an judged, but who has the right to ban a book? A written work is an expression of an author targeted at a specific age range. When a book, like Gone With The Wind, is written, it isn't intended for an elementary audience. That shouldn't mean it is a banned book. As teachers and parents, we have to protect future generations from literature that could be deemed inappropriate, but I think that boils down more to an age range.
With Harry Potter in particular I think this book was judged rather harshly. It deals with magic and sorcery, but not devils work. Society took this book to a whole different level when it dissected the novel. There were suddenly metaphors and scenarios that I just don't agree with. You can pick a part an story to make it inappropriate if that is what you choose to do. For example, The Ugly Ducking could be viewed as too negative in terms or self perception and Where the Wild Things Are could be viewed as too scary. There is a certain line where I think works of literature are turned into something they are not. We may protect children too much in this sense. I personally enjoy Harry Potter books and I think they are a great show of imagination and creativity.
No book can make everyone happy and someone will always look into a work too much.
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No one does have the right to ban a book. Just because one person doesn't like a book doesn't mean its a bad book. But when letting children read books, age appropriation should be considered.
ReplyDeleteI definitley agree that the age of students reading certain books should be the main priority. There are certain types of books for certain ages.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your idea that age range is more important when deciding what books are appropriate for readers. I also liked how you explained that society "dissects" books too much and forgets the meaning and importance of the works, turning them into "something they are not."
ReplyDeletei agree that their are going to be critiques to all books and almost all books will have a negative side to them. It should be a parents choice what their child reads.
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