CCBC-Net Archives
Harry Potter Phenomenon
- Contemporary messages sorted: [ by date ] [ by subject ] [ by author ]
From: Susan Swords Steffen <susanss>
Date: Fri, 04 Jun 1999 11:57:48 -0700
I appreciate hearing the business and marketing details of the "Harry Potter" story. However, I do not believe that the great success of this book can be attributed solely to these forces. I have been fascinated to watch the behavior of my daughter and her sixth grade friends around this book this year. I had suggested this book to my daughter who, being an expert twelve year old, ignored the suggestion until her friend started raving about this book. Then, not only did she start reading the book, but insisted that her teacher allow their literature circle to read and do their project on it. They wrote very long and complicated response journals. Then, we got Chamber of Secrets from amazon.uk and it has been passed around the sixth grade for the last two months - I had to reserve it to read it myself. Now, she has figured out how to use amazon.uk herself and ordered the next book to be sent as soon as it is published. And, all this from a child who will tell you she "hates" fantasy. I have never seen this group of kids respond this way to a book, and it has sparked an interest in and confidence about reading longer books.
Clearly, this book strikes a fundamental chord with kids of this age.
Date: Fri, 04 Jun 1999 11:57:48 -0700
I appreciate hearing the business and marketing details of the "Harry Potter" story. However, I do not believe that the great success of this book can be attributed solely to these forces. I have been fascinated to watch the behavior of my daughter and her sixth grade friends around this book this year. I had suggested this book to my daughter who, being an expert twelve year old, ignored the suggestion until her friend started raving about this book. Then, not only did she start reading the book, but insisted that her teacher allow their literature circle to read and do their project on it. They wrote very long and complicated response journals. Then, we got Chamber of Secrets from amazon.uk and it has been passed around the sixth grade for the last two months - I had to reserve it to read it myself. Now, she has figured out how to use amazon.uk herself and ordered the next book to be sent as soon as it is published. And, all this from a child who will tell you she "hates" fantasy. I have never seen this group of kids respond this way to a book, and it has sparked an interest in and confidence about reading longer books.
Clearly, this book strikes a fundamental chord with kids of this age.
-- Susan Swords Steffen Director of the Library Elmhurst College 190 Prospect Ave. Elmhurst, IL 60126 (630)617172; fax (630)617332Received on Fri 04 Jun 1999 01:57:48 PM CDT
