Potter and Censorship

Some great books have been banned or challenged in the past; books that have shaped the field of literature. Slaughter-house 5, 1984, A Farewell to Arms, and many more have all bothered enough people to push for a ban on these books. A ban that would prevent anyone from reading what these books have to say. As the author of the article suggests, these is blatant fascism. Censorship should be a person-to-person, or parent-to-parent, decision.

While one parent may be afraid that their child may try and cast magical spells or fly on a broomstick, I am confident that (unfortunately) that is simply not possible. Therefore, while they choose to hand their child a boring book that ultimately drives them away from literature, I will be purchasing the boxed set for mine. Any reading is usually good reading. I read comic books a lot when I was a child. Now I still do, but I also read big books with no pictures at all (gasp)!

Censorship has its place, but the ultimate decision should lie with licensed professionals and not religious-whackos or paranoid parents. A book should never be banned, but rather suggested for an older audience.

The Harry Potter series should be available in all classrooms. I'm not sure that I would use it in my classroom, but I wouldn't be against it. Some children may not be interested in realistic literature. A lot of kids aren't. Harry Potter is excellent fantasy and appeals (obviously) to a large group of people. Perhaps the child struggling or disinterested in reading would be a great match for this series. It is a poor decision to not include this or any other book that could potentially gain a lifetime reader.