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November Discussion: Harry Potter
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From: Jonathan Hunt <jhunt24>
Date: Thu, 04 Nov 1999 16:26:09 PST
I began reading Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone to my fifth grade students today, in spite of the fact that nearly half of them have already read (or listened to) the book. I want *every* student to have this experience because of the tremendous reaction the book received when I read it to my class last year in the fall.
I was browsing in a local bookstore early last Septembmer and came upon a display of new books. I had not heard of Harry Potter, but the striking physical characteristics of the book coupled with the fact that it was my favorite genre tempted me to buy it right there. I went home to check reviews on the Internet, though, and was sold on it soon thereafter.
I began reading it to my class shortly afterward, and they were *very* enthusiastic. One student gave it the ultimate compliment, "I wished it would never end." With such a fabulous reaction, I immediately ordered several copies of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets via AmazonUK, and a couple more when the American edition came out. Seventeen of my thirty students went on to read it, and more undoubtedly would have if I'd had enough books to satisfy the demand.
It was then that I knew I had stumbled upon something special--something that might rival or surpass the great juvenile fantasy series of the past century (Oz, Narnia, Prydain, etc)--as fifth graders are typically not given to reading extremely large books, let alone nearly a whole class of them. Last year, at times, I felt like the lone voice crying out in the wilderness, and now--a year later--it's a phenomenon. It has been interesting, to say the least, watching it unfold.
I'm looking forward to reading what others think accounts for the popularity of these books, but meanwhile here's my theory: Rowling has managed to marry the the comic, low fantasy of Dahl to the the trappings of high fantasy
(i.e. long series, intricate plots, good vs. evil, an alternate world, magic, etc) to create books that have an enormously wide appeal, able to captivate toddlers and nonagenarians alike.
Many people will make comparisons to Diana Wynne Jones, and I do see the similarity, but I think Rowling's work is much closer, in spirit, to Roald Dahl (e.g. the wit and humor, the vivid, uncluttered writing style, the creative wordplay, and a true child's perspective).
Jonathan :-)
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Received on Thu 04 Nov 1999 06:26:09 PM CST
Date: Thu, 04 Nov 1999 16:26:09 PST
I began reading Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone to my fifth grade students today, in spite of the fact that nearly half of them have already read (or listened to) the book. I want *every* student to have this experience because of the tremendous reaction the book received when I read it to my class last year in the fall.
I was browsing in a local bookstore early last Septembmer and came upon a display of new books. I had not heard of Harry Potter, but the striking physical characteristics of the book coupled with the fact that it was my favorite genre tempted me to buy it right there. I went home to check reviews on the Internet, though, and was sold on it soon thereafter.
I began reading it to my class shortly afterward, and they were *very* enthusiastic. One student gave it the ultimate compliment, "I wished it would never end." With such a fabulous reaction, I immediately ordered several copies of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets via AmazonUK, and a couple more when the American edition came out. Seventeen of my thirty students went on to read it, and more undoubtedly would have if I'd had enough books to satisfy the demand.
It was then that I knew I had stumbled upon something special--something that might rival or surpass the great juvenile fantasy series of the past century (Oz, Narnia, Prydain, etc)--as fifth graders are typically not given to reading extremely large books, let alone nearly a whole class of them. Last year, at times, I felt like the lone voice crying out in the wilderness, and now--a year later--it's a phenomenon. It has been interesting, to say the least, watching it unfold.
I'm looking forward to reading what others think accounts for the popularity of these books, but meanwhile here's my theory: Rowling has managed to marry the the comic, low fantasy of Dahl to the the trappings of high fantasy
(i.e. long series, intricate plots, good vs. evil, an alternate world, magic, etc) to create books that have an enormously wide appeal, able to captivate toddlers and nonagenarians alike.
Many people will make comparisons to Diana Wynne Jones, and I do see the similarity, but I think Rowling's work is much closer, in spirit, to Roald Dahl (e.g. the wit and humor, the vivid, uncluttered writing style, the creative wordplay, and a true child's perspective).
Jonathan :-)
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Received on Thu 04 Nov 1999 06:26:09 PM CST
