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Harry Potter
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From: Rebecca Wineke <rawineke>
Date: Sun, 07 Nov 1999 15:47:31 CST
I am a children's librarian in a public library and this is my first message to the listserv. I do agree that this book is a fantasy, but since there are so many kids out there who love the book, I was thinking that there has to be something more to it than a love of a good fantasy. Looking at other popular fiction for kids, a majority of them deal with situations at school. Let's face it, that is where kids spend most of their time. Not to spoil the third book I will only say that it is longer than the previous two because the scenes at Hogwarts school are depicted in more detail. This could be a major draw for kids and may be supportive of the librarian who was wondering whether or not the cheating students at Hogwarts could be seen as a bad influence on the readers. If one of the main reasons they are reading the books are to see such an interesting school in action, they might be seeing many similarities between Harry Potter's life at school and their own. Still, I do not think the situation where cheating seemed accepted were pronounced enough to really say that kids are now going to think cheating is okay.
Whatever the draw is, I say hurray for Harry. At our library we cannot keep our copies of the books on our shelves and it is always with great delight that we tell parents who have just heard of the books that they are all checked out with infinite holds. They look at us in shock, for it is truly a great marvel that a book could hold such draw that children are willing to get on a list and wait months to get their hands on a copy, much like waiting for the stores to open to get the latest hot toy.
As for those kids who are on the list and waiting, we are able to ask what other types of books they might like and offer a variety of selections. We have more opportunities than ever before to introduce kids to the fun of reading, and they don't feel un-cool to be at the library. That is a magical feat.
Becky Wineke Children's Librarian Fremont Public Library Mundelein, IL
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Received on Sun 07 Nov 1999 03:47:31 PM CST
Date: Sun, 07 Nov 1999 15:47:31 CST
I am a children's librarian in a public library and this is my first message to the listserv. I do agree that this book is a fantasy, but since there are so many kids out there who love the book, I was thinking that there has to be something more to it than a love of a good fantasy. Looking at other popular fiction for kids, a majority of them deal with situations at school. Let's face it, that is where kids spend most of their time. Not to spoil the third book I will only say that it is longer than the previous two because the scenes at Hogwarts school are depicted in more detail. This could be a major draw for kids and may be supportive of the librarian who was wondering whether or not the cheating students at Hogwarts could be seen as a bad influence on the readers. If one of the main reasons they are reading the books are to see such an interesting school in action, they might be seeing many similarities between Harry Potter's life at school and their own. Still, I do not think the situation where cheating seemed accepted were pronounced enough to really say that kids are now going to think cheating is okay.
Whatever the draw is, I say hurray for Harry. At our library we cannot keep our copies of the books on our shelves and it is always with great delight that we tell parents who have just heard of the books that they are all checked out with infinite holds. They look at us in shock, for it is truly a great marvel that a book could hold such draw that children are willing to get on a list and wait months to get their hands on a copy, much like waiting for the stores to open to get the latest hot toy.
As for those kids who are on the list and waiting, we are able to ask what other types of books they might like and offer a variety of selections. We have more opportunities than ever before to introduce kids to the fun of reading, and they don't feel un-cool to be at the library. That is a magical feat.
Becky Wineke Children's Librarian Fremont Public Library Mundelein, IL
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Received on Sun 07 Nov 1999 03:47:31 PM CST
