Parents Guide to Harry Potter

Kate Reading's academic tone is a great match for this thoroughly researched book on how Harry Potter can improve your child's morality. With her warm confidence evident in every measured sentence, Reading expresses the author's point, aimed at J.K. Rowling's Christian critics, that the Harry Potter novels are not different from other fairy tales in their portrayal of magic, evil, and other controversial subject matter. The author then carefully brings in psychologists like Piaget and the children's morality expert Lawrence Kohlberg to support the lessons she finds in Rowling's powerful narratives. These include lessons on friendship, self-sacrifice, temptations, courage, love, fears, protecting the innocent, dealing with injustice, class snobbery, international cooperation, tyranny, and terrorism--all relevant issues in today's fragmented moral climate. T.W. (c) AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine

June 6, 2005
A number of Christian books in the last few years have debated the Harry question: are J.K. Rowling's Potter books fodder for moral development, or do they steer children toward the occult? Burkart's guide is refreshing in that she doesn't even seem to feel the burden of refuting the various alarmists in the Christian community; she takes it for granted that the Harry Potter books are valuable tales that can foster spiritual growth. Hers is the first Christian book to specifically explore how to use the Potter novels as springboards for moral discussions with kids. The mother of three says that the series can help children deal with and discuss traumatic experiences, face fears, appreciate diversity, counter bullies (take that, Dudley Dursley!), let go of anger, and choose good over evil. The book is filled with tips parents will appreciate; Hermione's commitment to knitting caps for house elves can inspire families to serve in soup kitchens, for example. Many chapters have questions for parents to pose to their kids. ("What shape would a boggart take if it approached you? Why is it important to let some other people know about your feelings and fears? How is prayer different from magic?") Burkart's common-sense approach will help many Christian parents overcome their trepidation about fantasy literature and strengthen their family ties.