From: CKlusacek at penguinputnam.com <CKlusacek>
Date: Mon, 29 Nov 1999 15:49:52 -0500

In an attempt to not sound judegmental, I wish to say in response to Mary Sandford that I find it interesting that she takes issue with people accusing some Christians of being narrow-minded and then attacks those of us who are keeping an open mind in the realm of fiction and fantasy (as opposed to reality), especially as it relates to children and their ever-so important imagination. I am reminded of a case recently where a 6th or 7th grader was given an assignment by his teacher to write a scary story and when he wrote a very scary story about a child bringing a gun to school
(even got an A on it), was suspended for writing something "subversive." I have two questions for you:

1) Do we or do we NOT want our children to explore their creative sides and feel good about what they see there?

2) Do we or do we NOT want them to enjoy reading and to take away positive messages from what they read?

I'm afraid I'm having trouble understanding where the problem is for the Christians who oppose this marvelous series. The trouble I'm experiencing is even more disturbing since I'm Catholic and I simply can't see the issue. Have you read the books? Where is the problem for you? Are you saying Harry Potter is evil because he is a wizard, even though the meaning of the book
(should you care to look deeper than the setting, and there certainly is a lot deeper to go) is that having magic is NOT as important as having a good and loving heart? Voldemort, who has more power and stronger magic than ANY wizard is defeated by LOVE. Did you know that?Harry constantly survives whatever trouble he's in because he is a true and honest person who loves his friends completely and unconditionallly. What is a more Christian attitude than that? He celebrates Christmas in EVERY book, and the outrageously beautiful decorations done to the Great Hall for Christmas are awe-inspiring in their magnitude -- are you to suggest that Christian ideals have no place in this wizarding world? What exactly are your concerns? That millions upon millions of children will be converted to Wicca because they think Harry and Ron and Hermione are neat? Do you know what Wicca is, aside from some Hollywood inspired notion of blood-drinking and evil spirit-inducing rituals? Name for me one "heinous crime" in any of these three books that could in some way lead children to turn to the devil, or, at the very least, "be an abomination to the average citizen."

I have news for you and all of the people who wish to deny this truth -HARRY POTTER has revitalized a desire to read in our children and that is not something to take lightly. In an age where a kid is far more likely to play video games until his brains melt than read of his own volition, this series has created positive energy and good feelings about books. And that is because, and I'm sorry if this is shocking, they ARE fun. They are also clever and deep and meaningful, and they are FAR more than simple stories about "evil" witchcraft. They are about, as someone said earlier, love and life and death -- all three very pertinent things to the life of any child. They are about struggling through school, feeling like the world is against you, finding you can succeed if you work really hard and that everyone is good at something. They're about friendship and what that means, relationships and how difficult they are, and teachers who you love and hate. I don't know about you, but, aside from having to buy a wand, I experienced almost every single emotion and situation in junior and senior high that Harry has had so far. That means something about the depth and breadth of this book and Ms. Rowling's genius.

In short, these books are NOT about witchcraft, and I'm amazed that fact has been overlooked. They, in fact, are about almost everything EXCEPT for witchcraft. Getting caught up on the setting is going to deprive you and everyone who continues to ban a book based on no first-hand knowledge of a wonderful reading and emotional experience. I'm sorry that for you it isn't enough to know that Harry is probably one of the sweetest boys that ever existed in children's literature and that he can provide a wonderful role-model to all children because it's his heart -- his huge, open, loving and generous heart -- that is what these books are about, not some silly magic tricks.

Carrie Klusacek Editorial Assistant Dial Books for Young Readers
Received on Mon 29 Nov 1999 02:49:52 PM CST