Carole asked for Ten Awesome Things about the Harry Potter Books. I read them along with one of my nephews, and it has been a while, so forgive the many Awesome Things I might forget.
1. Kids read good writing. I’ve gotten less than 50 pages into a more recently popular series about shiny vampires, and the writing was so horrible that I could read no more. With so many well-written books for kids and young adults on the market, it is a shame to expose young people to bad writing. I would hate for any kid I know to think bad writing is acceptable.
2. Well-developed characters. The pleasure of a book series is that the author has the space to develop even the most minor of characters, populating the world she has created with fantastic, well-rounded, flawed, lovable (and hatable) characters.
3. Platform for critical theory discussions. I teach critical theory to my freshmen. I have had colleagues raise eyebrows at this, but I believe it is vital for young people to learn that there are different ways of thinking and that those different ways of thinking have names. One of my classroom mantras is “if you can name it, you can tame it”. In other words, if I want to have the students consider structuralism, I use the Harry Potter novels as a springboard. Most of my students have read at least a few of the novels, and the patterns Rowling developed are fun to trace.
4. Clear roots. It doesn’t take much of a literary background to see that Rowling has paid tribute to the great fantasy works that came before her. I love the detective work of seeing where Tolkien’s stories are referenced, for example. Again, this is a wonderful teaching tool, but I also like it for the pure fun that my lit crit background has when reading the series.
5. Compelling story. There is not much better in life than a great story, one that makes the reader stay up all night just to see what happens!
6. Rich setting. With each book Rowling made Harry’s world more real. She’s a wizard at choosing vital details.
7. Strong, important messages. Years ago, one of my widower uncles married a woman I never met. She got my email (back when I was Lady MacBev on AOL!) and forwarded all sorts of nonsense to me. My usual habit was to delete without reading, but when I saw one email was a fundamentalist Christian rant about Harry Potter, well, my graduate degree in literature reared its pretty head (I think its head has lots of snakes on it. Don’t look directly at it!). I responded point by point to the accusations made in that email, sent it, and never had another email from her. I tell this little story, not as a triumph of logic and reason, but rather to emphasize that the messages throughout the series are those that I, at least, want to hear, and if I had kids, that I would want them to hear: loyalty to friends; trying, even if one might fail; good struggling, but persisting, over evil. I won’t even start on what I admire about Rowling’s gender messages.
8. Magic! I just love a good story about magic. What fun!
9. Humor. Rowling writes with humor. As the books progress, the subject grows darker, but there is always relief that is not silly, but smart.
10. Contemporary classics. Really, people say a book or film is a classic all the time, but I believe those of us that have read these books really have had the pleasure of being among the first to read an enduring series, one that will be read for generations. That’s pretty awesome!
What do you think is Awesome about these books?
Exactly! 🙂
You hit the nail on the head with so much of your list. The setting couldn’t be any richer, could it? Love these books so much!
Your post makes me want to revisit the series. I read all the Harry Potter books along with my children, and I love that we have that shared experience. As a high school teacher, I also find that the series can be a common reference point to explain literary concepts. Plus, as you say, magic!
Along the lines of your #7: One of the things, as a parent who has read the entire HP series with my 8 year old son, is the exploration of shades of gray. Black/white; good/bad are not always obvious and situations require trust and faith along critical analysis. Another thing I love about the series is how Harry and his friends act age appropriately all along. They go through cranky, A^%hole teenage phases, have rows, blame each other for stuff, get jealous, but always manage to work their way back toward the root friendship and sort of what is truly important. Their friendships grow and become stronger through these troubled times. Such great role models!
These are my favorite books ever! I agree with all of your points, and good for you for responding to the fundamentalist screed. I have relatives that are the same way (thank goodness no one in my immediate family—we are all huge HP nerds).
One thing I would add to your list, but perhaps because it’s just personal to me, is that the book appeal to people of all ages and therefore can bring families together. I went to the last book release with my parents and my children. My parents and oldest daughter and I are all going to see the movie on Friday. I also credit the books with helping me find my way out of a depression twice.
what a great list – and I especially love it from your college professor frame of reference. it’s icing on the cake for me that these books are “good” that way, too!
After reading many of these lists I’ve decided I. Will. Do. It. I’ve started the first book three times and never could. It’s coming on vacation! And btw, I read the Declaration of Independence on the 4th – I believe it was your recommendation? Thanks Bev!