From: Walters <walterd>
Date: Mon, 29 Nov 1999 13:07:01 -0800

I understand the concerns about the Harry Potter books giving the impression that witchcraft is fun and acceptable. I've read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone twice to clarify my views on the subject and have discussed the books with my co-workers given the controversy that is developing. After reading it for the second time I am more comfortable with it . . . it seems that Harry has to rely on his own resources and the people around him for support rather than jus the
"magic." Am I in favor of witchcraft or its promotion . . . NO . . . do I understand that this is fantasy and not related the real study of witchcraft . . . YES. From talking to my middle schoolers who have read the book, I believe they are reading it for the pure enjoyment of an action-packed story and they regard it as pure fantasy.

Harry Potter is clearly FANTASY and a battle between good and evil. Hopefully students reading it will see the fantasy. Many great fantasy works and those not so good have the same premise . . . good against evil and the battles utilize magic. Tolkien has a great wizard in Gandalf, the White Witch in Lewis's series representing evil. The Sword of Shannara series is a favorite among my students at school and the presence of magic is in them also but I don't believe that they promote an undue interest in witchcraft either.

Debby Walters Viking Middle School Woodville, WI
Received on Mon 29 Nov 1999 03:07:01 PM CST