Since I last posted, I've read Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows twice, led two small group discussions on the book, corresponded with other fans, and watched televised interviews with J. K. Rowling, but I'm still not sure how to write about the seventh book without giving away any of the secrets. However, today (July 31) is Harry's birthday, so it seems a good time to break my long silence and give the review my best shot.
We've known since Book 5 that Harry must duel Voldemort to the death, so the first thing anyone wants to know about Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is, of course, "Who dies?" This deceptively simple question is actually quite tricky (not that I'm going to answer it here), but readers should be prepared for the "bloodbath" Rowling promised just before the book was released. There are many more than the two deaths we were led to expect, but there are also surprising compensations, as befits a novel whose twin themes are loss and redemption.
The final book finds Harry preparing to leave Privet Drive, his Muggle home for sixteen years, on his quest to defeat the evil Lord Voldemort, whose Death Eaters have infiltrated the Ministry of Magic and begun a new reign of terror. Although the Order of the Phoenix have rallied around the "Chosen One," Harry is increasingly isolated as the supports he has depended upon are kicked out from under him, one by one. Friends are lost, weapons are broken, and even memories become suspect when a new biography of Dumbledore (penned by the vitriolic Rita Skeeter) shakes Harry's faith in his mentor's wisdom and benevolence. Ron and Hermione urge him to focus on finding and destroying the Horcruxes (while these cursed objects exist, Voldemort cannot be killed), but Harry is distracted by his search for the truth about Dumbledore ... and about himself. How can Harry kill Voldemort without becoming the thing he's fighting against? Can he defend his life without losing his soul?
Despite the ominous prophecy that shadows the hero's every move, Rowling uses her characteristic wit, energy, and lively imagination to make Deathly Hallows as enjoyable as it is dark. She masterfully interweaves a new and compelling plotline with outstanding mysteries from the previous books and deftly reconvenes her dizzying cast of characters. It is particularly gratifying to see the young wizards and witches (not to mention their professors, who are positively awe-inspiring) use every spell and scrap of magical knowledge they've learned at Hogwarts in a gloriously chaotic final examination.
All in all, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is an exciting and satisfying ending to a groundbreaking series, and it's hard to imagine a more fitting graduation ceremony.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Saturday, July 21, 2007
The Moment We've All Been Waiting For
I've just returned from the big release party for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Everyone else at my house is asleep. I've cleared my weekend. There's nothing stopping me from seizing the book and reading straight through until morning, but the book is still sitting in the chair where I dropped it on my way in. I haven't even taken it out of the bag yet.
I keep thinking, "This is it. This is the last one, the last Harry Potter book." Oh, I know J. K. Rowling has started making teasing statements about how she might possibly write another series in the same fantasy world she's created for Harry, but it won't be the same. I'll never get another chance to read a Harry Potter book for the first time.
Millions of fans around the world rejoiced tonight, just as the hundreds of folks at the Denton Barnes & Noble cheered when the boxes were opened and the first book was taken out. I wonder how many of them are pausing, like me, and feeling a little sad that this phenomenon has come to an end.
Will Harry Potter continue to dominate the news after tonight? Will the excitement die down after the mysteries are resolved? When the smoke clears, will the series be recognized as a modern classic or just a fad?
All good questions, but I don't have time to ponder them any longer. I have some serious reading to do. See you on the other side.
I keep thinking, "This is it. This is the last one, the last Harry Potter book." Oh, I know J. K. Rowling has started making teasing statements about how she might possibly write another series in the same fantasy world she's created for Harry, but it won't be the same. I'll never get another chance to read a Harry Potter book for the first time.
Millions of fans around the world rejoiced tonight, just as the hundreds of folks at the Denton Barnes & Noble cheered when the boxes were opened and the first book was taken out. I wonder how many of them are pausing, like me, and feeling a little sad that this phenomenon has come to an end.
Will Harry Potter continue to dominate the news after tonight? Will the excitement die down after the mysteries are resolved? When the smoke clears, will the series be recognized as a modern classic or just a fad?
All good questions, but I don't have time to ponder them any longer. I have some serious reading to do. See you on the other side.
Everything I Need to Know I Learned from Harry Potter
10. Never put your wand in your back pocket. This isn't just elementary wand safety (although good wizards have lost buttocks this way). A wand represents a wizard's power, and you should never put your power in your back pocket: don't sell yourself short, and don't take your strengths for granted.
9. Life is like a bag of Bertie Botts' Every Flavor Beans. You never know what you're gonna get. Sometimes it's chocolate; sometimes it's pepper. Sometimes it's earwax (ick).
8. People can be a bit stupid about their pets. And Hagrid ought to know. This is a man who thinks dragons are cuddly and Blast-Ended Skrewts are "interesting." Even when you suspect your friend's cat may have eaten your pet rat, remember: we're all a little blind about what we love most.
7. How do you spell relief? C-H-O-C-O-L-A-T-E. Whether you've been battling dementors or you're just having a bad hair day, chocolate works like magic to cure what ails you.
6. When in doubt, go to the library. Bookworms don't get a lot of credit for being practical, but think about how many times Hermione has saved the day through some bit of knowledge she learned from a book. Knowledge is power, so when in doubt, READ.
5. Courtesy matters. "I don't mean to be rude, but . . ." As Dumbledore says, "Sadly, accidental rudeness occurs alarmingly often." But whether you're dealing with obnoxious Muggles or saving the world from an evil wizard, you have the power on your side if you can keep your cool and remember your manners.
4. Anything is possible if you have enough nerve. Ginny's the one who says this, but she learned it from Fred and George, who know that there's more than one way to pick a lock or exit a room. Courage can set your imagination free!
3. Expecto Patronum! (That's Wizard for "think positive.") The only way to beat a dementor is to focus on a happy memory. Hold on to your positive thoughts; they could save your life.
2. If you want to win, you've got to make some sacrifices. It's true in chess, and it's true in life. Ron let himself be taken by the white queen so that Harry could win the chess match and save the Sorcerer's Stone; Harry's parents sacrificed themselves so that their son could live. If we have courage and think positive thoughts, we can reach our goals, but we'll still have to give something up to get what we want.
And the most important thing Harry Potter can teach us:
1. The most powerful magic is Love. It's stronger than wisdom, stronger than fear, stronger than death.
9. Life is like a bag of Bertie Botts' Every Flavor Beans. You never know what you're gonna get. Sometimes it's chocolate; sometimes it's pepper. Sometimes it's earwax (ick).
8. People can be a bit stupid about their pets. And Hagrid ought to know. This is a man who thinks dragons are cuddly and Blast-Ended Skrewts are "interesting." Even when you suspect your friend's cat may have eaten your pet rat, remember: we're all a little blind about what we love most.
7. How do you spell relief? C-H-O-C-O-L-A-T-E. Whether you've been battling dementors or you're just having a bad hair day, chocolate works like magic to cure what ails you.
6. When in doubt, go to the library. Bookworms don't get a lot of credit for being practical, but think about how many times Hermione has saved the day through some bit of knowledge she learned from a book. Knowledge is power, so when in doubt, READ.
5. Courtesy matters. "I don't mean to be rude, but . . ." As Dumbledore says, "Sadly, accidental rudeness occurs alarmingly often." But whether you're dealing with obnoxious Muggles or saving the world from an evil wizard, you have the power on your side if you can keep your cool and remember your manners.
4. Anything is possible if you have enough nerve. Ginny's the one who says this, but she learned it from Fred and George, who know that there's more than one way to pick a lock or exit a room. Courage can set your imagination free!
3. Expecto Patronum! (That's Wizard for "think positive.") The only way to beat a dementor is to focus on a happy memory. Hold on to your positive thoughts; they could save your life.
2. If you want to win, you've got to make some sacrifices. It's true in chess, and it's true in life. Ron let himself be taken by the white queen so that Harry could win the chess match and save the Sorcerer's Stone; Harry's parents sacrificed themselves so that their son could live. If we have courage and think positive thoughts, we can reach our goals, but we'll still have to give something up to get what we want.
And the most important thing Harry Potter can teach us:
1. The most powerful magic is Love. It's stronger than wisdom, stronger than fear, stronger than death.
Friday, July 20, 2007
Harry Potter: Happily Ever After?
I know this blog is beginning to look like an "all-Harry, all the time" site. I promise that after the book release and the initial flurry of reactions to the final Harry Potter book, I'll be able to concentrate on some other books and issues in children's/YA fantasy and science fiction, but for right now, Harry still has the spotlight.
My first set of predictions focused on who dies in the final book. You've probably noticed that I didn't include Harry among my candidates. I know things look bad for Harry--J. K. Rowling's comment that "Harry's story comes to a definite end in book seven" is particularly ominous--but I'm still hoping that he'll pull through.
This set of predictions is more optimistic. Let's assume that Harry successfully vanquishes Lord Voldemort without losing his own life. What happens next?
Professor McGonagall will remain as Head of Hogwarts.
Remus Lupin will return to Hogwarts and teach Defense Against the Dark Arts.
If Severus Snape survives, he will refuse to return to his teaching post, preferring a solitary life. Snape will publish a ground-breaking textbook on potions and travel around the world in search of rare ingredients.
Harry Potter will become an Auror, striking fear into the hearts of all dark wizards (just because Voldemort's gone doesn't mean all danger is past). When McGonagall retires and Lupin becomes the new Head of Hogwarts, Harry will take his place as the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher.
Ginny Weasley will become a professional Quidditch player, but after bringing home the World Cup to England, she will retire, marry Harry, and become the Quidditch coach at Hogwarts, which will establish a reputation for turning out more professional athletes than any other wizarding school.
Hermione Granger will join the Ministry of Magic in the Muggle Relations department, where she will argue for greater openness and cooperation with the Muggle Prime Minister. Her tireless efforts on behalf of house-elves, werewolves, and other marginalized groups will lead to her meteoric rise through the Ministry, resulting in her appointment as the youngest Minister of Magic in history. On a personal note, Hermione will grieve for Ron for some time (yup, he's a goner) and remain in close contact with his family, which will lead to her eventual marriage with the brilliant Charlie Weasley.
Fred and George Weasley's joke shop will be so successful that they will open a chain of stores, become the wealthiest entrepreneurs in England, and routinely make Witch Weekly's "Most Eligible Wizards" list.
Neville Longbottom will become famous for his patented "Don't Bug Me" line of pest-resistant fruits and vegetables, which will revolutionize the EU organic foods market.
Luna Lovegood will join the Ministry as a research analyst and special advisor to the High Court. Although she is highly valued for her abilities to see and speak the truth, Luna remains disappointed that her work on the Blibbering Humdinger and the Crumple-Horned Snorkack has not received more attention.
My first set of predictions focused on who dies in the final book. You've probably noticed that I didn't include Harry among my candidates. I know things look bad for Harry--J. K. Rowling's comment that "Harry's story comes to a definite end in book seven" is particularly ominous--but I'm still hoping that he'll pull through.
This set of predictions is more optimistic. Let's assume that Harry successfully vanquishes Lord Voldemort without losing his own life. What happens next?
Professor McGonagall will remain as Head of Hogwarts.
Remus Lupin will return to Hogwarts and teach Defense Against the Dark Arts.
If Severus Snape survives, he will refuse to return to his teaching post, preferring a solitary life. Snape will publish a ground-breaking textbook on potions and travel around the world in search of rare ingredients.
Harry Potter will become an Auror, striking fear into the hearts of all dark wizards (just because Voldemort's gone doesn't mean all danger is past). When McGonagall retires and Lupin becomes the new Head of Hogwarts, Harry will take his place as the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher.
Ginny Weasley will become a professional Quidditch player, but after bringing home the World Cup to England, she will retire, marry Harry, and become the Quidditch coach at Hogwarts, which will establish a reputation for turning out more professional athletes than any other wizarding school.
Hermione Granger will join the Ministry of Magic in the Muggle Relations department, where she will argue for greater openness and cooperation with the Muggle Prime Minister. Her tireless efforts on behalf of house-elves, werewolves, and other marginalized groups will lead to her meteoric rise through the Ministry, resulting in her appointment as the youngest Minister of Magic in history. On a personal note, Hermione will grieve for Ron for some time (yup, he's a goner) and remain in close contact with his family, which will lead to her eventual marriage with the brilliant Charlie Weasley.
Fred and George Weasley's joke shop will be so successful that they will open a chain of stores, become the wealthiest entrepreneurs in England, and routinely make Witch Weekly's "Most Eligible Wizards" list.
Neville Longbottom will become famous for his patented "Don't Bug Me" line of pest-resistant fruits and vegetables, which will revolutionize the EU organic foods market.
Luna Lovegood will join the Ministry as a research analyst and special advisor to the High Court. Although she is highly valued for her abilities to see and speak the truth, Luna remains disappointed that her work on the Blibbering Humdinger and the Crumple-Horned Snorkack has not received more attention.
Date Correction
The North Branch of the Denton Public Libraries will host a discussion of J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows on Thursday, July 26, at 4:00 p.m., NOT July 27. I've corrected the previous posts that gave the wrong date.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Predictions for Deaths in Harry Potter 7
I've put this off for as long as I possibly can, but if I don't make my predictions for the final Harry Potter book now, it will be too late and I won't be able to claim prescience if any of my guesses turn out to be right.
Who dies, Harry or Voldemort? Voldemort, of course. If Voldemort doesn't die, then the series has no closure, and J. K. Rowling has said from the very beginning that there will only ever be seven books. This is it. Besides, if the hero dies and the villain lives, that means evil triumphs over good and who wants that? No, no, no--Voldemort definitely dies.
Who else dies? Remember, Rowling has promised there will be two deaths. I have three major candidates.
Ron
A significant scene from the first book, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's/Sorcerer's Stone, may foreshadow Ron's eventual death. Remember that in order to reach the sorcerer's stone, Harry has to get past several obstacles, including a giant chessboard that he must play across. Ron, who is a far better chess player than Harry, directs all the moves and chooses in a dramatic moment to sacrifice himself (a knight) in order to win the game. When Harry protests, Ron reminds him to keep his eyes on the goal, pointing out that defeating Voldemort is far more important than saving a single life. (Sirius echoes this thought when he declares, "Some things are worth dying for!")
I believe that the final book will include not only a personal showdown between Harry and Voldemort but an all-out war involving werewolves, trolls, centaurs, merpeople, and other magical creatures. Ron's strength, as proven in the chess game, is long-term strategy, and I think it likely that Ron will act as one of Harry's generals, perhaps the most important one, so he will be in a position to make the decision to sacrifice himself. Harry would never ask it of Ron, but Ron might well choose to do it of his own accord. The HP movies have tended to play up Ron's fears and insecurities, especially about spiders, but don't forget that Ron is a Gryffindor (from a long line of Gryffindors) and Gryffindors are most famous for their courage.
Snape
Ron has been my front-runner for a long time, but lately I've been considering the possibility that Snape might die. I believe that Snape, unpleasant and mysterious as he is, has been on the side of good all long. I think the reason he was willing to pledge himself to kill Dumbledore should Draco fail is that he had already make a similar unbreakable vow to Dumbledore himself. Remember that Dumbledore is the secret-keeper for the Order of the Phoenix (and probably for a lot of other things we haven't been told about), and Voldemort is highly skilled in Legilimency (mind-reading). Perhaps Dumbledore foresaw the possibility that his mind would be weakened (as it might well have been during the search for the false Horcrux) and Voldemort would have access to all the headmaster's secrets, so he made Snape promise to kill him should the threat appear too great. Remember that Dumbledore, unlike Voldemort, is unafraid of death. He has always maintained that death is not something to fear; love is much stronger.
It would make sense that Snape would make a similar sacrifice, although not out of love. Snape is incensed when Harry accuses him of cowardice, and after working so long as a double agent, he would probably want to die in such a way that explains his actions and makes his allegiance crystal clear. I could even see Snape dying to protect Harry as a way of avenging himself: "See, you always thought I was evil, but would a Death Eater save you? You're not as clever as you think you are, Potter. Remember that after I am gone."
Neville
This one just recently occurred to me. Books 5 and 6 strongly emphasize the idea that the prophecy about the "Chosen One" fated to kill Voldemort could just as easily have been meant for Neville as for Harry. Although Dumbledore argues that Voldemort himself marked Harry as the Chosen One (both literally and figuratively) by attacking him sixteen years ago, Voldemort might feel that it's safer to hedge his bets and try to kill both potentials. Certainly Neville would seem the lesser threat, so Voldemort might go after him first.
Then again, Neville has made significant progress in his magic-using ability since the first book. He is certainly a valuable and enthusiastic member of Dumbledore's Army, and he demonstrates great courage in the Department of Mysteries when he urges Harry not to give the prophecy to Lucius Malfoy, even though Neville himself is being threatened. Harry is not the only person who has lost his parents to the dark side: Voldemort's minion, Bellatrix Lestrange, tortured Neville's parents into madness. Of course Neville would want to avenge them, so he might well play a role in the climactic showdown; Neville and Harry will confront Voldemort together, but Neville won't survive.
So . . . Ron, Snape, or Neville? Any of them would make sense, but I have to go with my first (and saddest) choice: Ron.
Who dies, Harry or Voldemort? Voldemort, of course. If Voldemort doesn't die, then the series has no closure, and J. K. Rowling has said from the very beginning that there will only ever be seven books. This is it. Besides, if the hero dies and the villain lives, that means evil triumphs over good and who wants that? No, no, no--Voldemort definitely dies.
Who else dies? Remember, Rowling has promised there will be two deaths. I have three major candidates.
Ron
A significant scene from the first book, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's/Sorcerer's Stone, may foreshadow Ron's eventual death. Remember that in order to reach the sorcerer's stone, Harry has to get past several obstacles, including a giant chessboard that he must play across. Ron, who is a far better chess player than Harry, directs all the moves and chooses in a dramatic moment to sacrifice himself (a knight) in order to win the game. When Harry protests, Ron reminds him to keep his eyes on the goal, pointing out that defeating Voldemort is far more important than saving a single life. (Sirius echoes this thought when he declares, "Some things are worth dying for!")
I believe that the final book will include not only a personal showdown between Harry and Voldemort but an all-out war involving werewolves, trolls, centaurs, merpeople, and other magical creatures. Ron's strength, as proven in the chess game, is long-term strategy, and I think it likely that Ron will act as one of Harry's generals, perhaps the most important one, so he will be in a position to make the decision to sacrifice himself. Harry would never ask it of Ron, but Ron might well choose to do it of his own accord. The HP movies have tended to play up Ron's fears and insecurities, especially about spiders, but don't forget that Ron is a Gryffindor (from a long line of Gryffindors) and Gryffindors are most famous for their courage.
Snape
Ron has been my front-runner for a long time, but lately I've been considering the possibility that Snape might die. I believe that Snape, unpleasant and mysterious as he is, has been on the side of good all long. I think the reason he was willing to pledge himself to kill Dumbledore should Draco fail is that he had already make a similar unbreakable vow to Dumbledore himself. Remember that Dumbledore is the secret-keeper for the Order of the Phoenix (and probably for a lot of other things we haven't been told about), and Voldemort is highly skilled in Legilimency (mind-reading). Perhaps Dumbledore foresaw the possibility that his mind would be weakened (as it might well have been during the search for the false Horcrux) and Voldemort would have access to all the headmaster's secrets, so he made Snape promise to kill him should the threat appear too great. Remember that Dumbledore, unlike Voldemort, is unafraid of death. He has always maintained that death is not something to fear; love is much stronger.
It would make sense that Snape would make a similar sacrifice, although not out of love. Snape is incensed when Harry accuses him of cowardice, and after working so long as a double agent, he would probably want to die in such a way that explains his actions and makes his allegiance crystal clear. I could even see Snape dying to protect Harry as a way of avenging himself: "See, you always thought I was evil, but would a Death Eater save you? You're not as clever as you think you are, Potter. Remember that after I am gone."
Neville
This one just recently occurred to me. Books 5 and 6 strongly emphasize the idea that the prophecy about the "Chosen One" fated to kill Voldemort could just as easily have been meant for Neville as for Harry. Although Dumbledore argues that Voldemort himself marked Harry as the Chosen One (both literally and figuratively) by attacking him sixteen years ago, Voldemort might feel that it's safer to hedge his bets and try to kill both potentials. Certainly Neville would seem the lesser threat, so Voldemort might go after him first.
Then again, Neville has made significant progress in his magic-using ability since the first book. He is certainly a valuable and enthusiastic member of Dumbledore's Army, and he demonstrates great courage in the Department of Mysteries when he urges Harry not to give the prophecy to Lucius Malfoy, even though Neville himself is being threatened. Harry is not the only person who has lost his parents to the dark side: Voldemort's minion, Bellatrix Lestrange, tortured Neville's parents into madness. Of course Neville would want to avenge them, so he might well play a role in the climactic showdown; Neville and Harry will confront Voldemort together, but Neville won't survive.
So . . . Ron, Snape, or Neville? Any of them would make sense, but I have to go with my first (and saddest) choice: Ron.
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Midnight Magic Harry Potter 7 Release Party
MIDNIGHT MAGIC COSTUME PARTY
Friday, July 20, 8 p.m.
Barnes & Noble, Golden Triangle Mall, Denton, TX
Hurray! The final Harry Potter book is almost here! If you're looking for a place to celebrate, dress as your favorite character, mount your broom, and join me and hundreds of other fans for these exciting events:
Friday, July 20, 8 p.m.
Barnes & Noble, Golden Triangle Mall, Denton, TX
Hurray! The final Harry Potter book is almost here! If you're looking for a place to celebrate, dress as your favorite character, mount your broom, and join me and hundreds of other fans for these exciting events:
- Panel discussion by Harry Potter experts Lucinda Breeding, April Kendra (me!), Bryan Lankford, and others
- Musical performances by harpist Patricia Diers, the Denton Childbloom Guitar Ensemble, and Miss Polly and Her Tiny Big Band
- Staged reading from Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by the Denton Community Theatre
- Build A School of Wizardry group project
- Games with the Gryffindor Book Group and Denton Public Libraries
- Create An Amulet booth
- Photo booth and frame decorating
- Trivia contest, scavenger hunt, prizes, and more!
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows goes on sale at midnight - sharp!
Serendipity
Sorry it's been several days between posts, but I had an opportunity to make some very sweet lemonade out of some lemons I was handed last Thursday.
I was really looking forward to talking with the Gryffindor Book Group about Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne, but nobody showed up. Not one person! It's possible that Verne was just too intimidating, even for folks who said they wanted to read him. There is quite a lot of science in his science fiction--he's obviously fascinated with the potential uses of electricity, for example, and he explains exactly how to calculate the amount of pressure exerted on a submarine as it descends underwater. (Interesting stuff, but a little of this goes a long way.)
I also wonder if Thursday night is just not a good time for our teen and tween readers. We'll still plan to meet at 7 p.m. on August 9 to talk about Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (5 days to book release--hurray!), but we'll consider changing the day and time for future meetings. If you're in the Denton area and you'd like to join us, please leave a comment about what days and times you'd prefer to meet!
Anyway, I was talking about these issues with Thom Anderson, the friendly Community Relations Manager at the Barnes & Noble store where our group meets, when a man came over and asked if he could sit with us. There was no point in saving chairs for people who weren't coming, so I said sure. It turns out that this gentleman is the managing editor of the Gainesville Daily Register and after we'd talked for a while, he invited me to submit a review of the newest Harry Potter movie. Of course, I said yes! I spent Friday beefing up the preliminary review I'd written for this blog (July 11, 2007), and this morning I drove 30 miles to Gainesville to pick up several copies of the Daily Register. Hurray! (If my review becomes available online, I'll be sure to add a link to it.)
So that's my serendipity for this week. Although I'm still disappointed that the Gryffindors didn't get to discuss Jules Verne, if even one person had shown up for the meeting, I wouldn't have talked with Mr. Osborne or gotten to publish a movie review in his paper.
Have you had a serendipity this week? If so, leave a comment and tell us about it. Be sure to look for serendipity in your own life in the coming week. I bet you'll find it!
I was really looking forward to talking with the Gryffindor Book Group about Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne, but nobody showed up. Not one person! It's possible that Verne was just too intimidating, even for folks who said they wanted to read him. There is quite a lot of science in his science fiction--he's obviously fascinated with the potential uses of electricity, for example, and he explains exactly how to calculate the amount of pressure exerted on a submarine as it descends underwater. (Interesting stuff, but a little of this goes a long way.)
I also wonder if Thursday night is just not a good time for our teen and tween readers. We'll still plan to meet at 7 p.m. on August 9 to talk about Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (5 days to book release--hurray!), but we'll consider changing the day and time for future meetings. If you're in the Denton area and you'd like to join us, please leave a comment about what days and times you'd prefer to meet!
Anyway, I was talking about these issues with Thom Anderson, the friendly Community Relations Manager at the Barnes & Noble store where our group meets, when a man came over and asked if he could sit with us. There was no point in saving chairs for people who weren't coming, so I said sure. It turns out that this gentleman is the managing editor of the Gainesville Daily Register and after we'd talked for a while, he invited me to submit a review of the newest Harry Potter movie. Of course, I said yes! I spent Friday beefing up the preliminary review I'd written for this blog (July 11, 2007), and this morning I drove 30 miles to Gainesville to pick up several copies of the Daily Register. Hurray! (If my review becomes available online, I'll be sure to add a link to it.)
So that's my serendipity for this week. Although I'm still disappointed that the Gryffindors didn't get to discuss Jules Verne, if even one person had shown up for the meeting, I wouldn't have talked with Mr. Osborne or gotten to publish a movie review in his paper.
Have you had a serendipity this week? If so, leave a comment and tell us about it. Be sure to look for serendipity in your own life in the coming week. I bet you'll find it!
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Movie Review: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
It's probably too early for me to write this review, since I went to see Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix just this morning. We HP fans are a difficult bunch to please because we tend to view every act of artistic license as a betrayal of the books we love so much. During my first viewing of the fourth movie (HP and the Goblet of Fire), I kept a running count of all the characters and plot elements missing in action; however, when I saw the movie a second time, I was able to relax and appreciate the film's many strengths. I have no doubt that the same will hold true for this movie as well, but for now, here is a quick rundown of cheers and jeers.
Cheers
... to the wonderful Imelda Staunton for her absolutely dead-on, pitch-perfect performance as Professor Dolores Umbridge. She gets it all exactly right, from the fussy pink sweater to the annoying little laugh, and the scenes and montages narrating Umbridge's rise to power are uniformly terrific.
... to Alan Rickman, who was once again underutilized. We really should have seen more of him, but Rickman's Professor Snape is so deliciously oily that he steals every scene he's in.
... to Daniel Radcliffe, whose strong performance allows him to hold onto our sympathy even during Harry's tantrums.
... to the art direction and really superb visuals. I particularly liked the use of newspapers and the large poster of Cornelius Fudge, which simultaneously recalled 1984's Big Brother and Orson Welles' Citizen Kane.
... for the much-publicized first kiss between Harry and Cho. Even after all the hype, it didn't disappoint.
... for the spectacular fight scene in the Department of Mysteries. I was a little disappointed that some of my favorite exchanges between Dumbledore and Voldemort were lost, but the filmmakers have made a valid choice to keep the focus on Harry's inner struggle as much as possible.
... for the superb psychological realism of the entire film.
Jeers
... for violating the laws by which at least two, and possibly more, magical objects/processes work. One of J. K. Rowling's greatest talents lies in the creation of an internally consistent fantasy world. She always respects her own rules; the director and screenwriter should have followed suit.
... for prominently featuring a spell Harry doesn't learn until the sixth book.
... for dumping the Quidditch plotline, which leaves Ron almost nothing to do but follow Harry around and be quietly supportive. Joining the Gryffindor Quidditch team gives both Ron and Ginny a chance to emerge from the shadow of their older brothers and develop on their own, but the film denies them this opportunity. The HP movies have consistently shortchanged Ron, portraying him as a rather fearful sidekick rather than a valuable ally, and Ginny does not fare much better. Although she does some impressive wandwork, she asserts little individuality.
... for also dumping the plotline in which Hermione and Ron (not Harry) become prefects. The Inquisitorial Squad, which makes only a brief appearance in the film, is meant to be a corrupt foil to the traditional, legitimate form of student authority; the Squad has little meaning by itself. In Book 5, we see students like Hermione and Ron (and, in flashback, Remus Lupin) struggling with their new power as prefects. Without this plotline, an important theme about the responsibilities of authority is compromised; viewers are more likely to come away with an image of smart kids rebelling against cruel and stupid adults than with an understanding of the obligations and abuses of power.
To give one example: Rowling's Hermione knows she is subverting the system when she talks Harry into teaching the kids Defense Against the Dark Arts, but she is careful to stay within the letter, if not the spirit, of the law: "[E]ven if Umbridge does come in here there's nothing she can do to stop us, Harry, because I've double- and triple-checked the school rules. We're not out-of-bounds . . . . And I've looked up everything I can think of about study groups and homework groups and they're definitely allowed" (Order of the Phoenix 336). In the book, Hermione is prepared to use Hogwarts law as a defense; in the film, however, she merely giggles and says, "Sometimes it's fun to break the rules." Ron's response is both ironic and appropriate: "Who are you and what have you done with Hermione Granger?"
... to the screenwriter and director for ignoring the lessons of their own movie. Over and over, the film insists that Harry is the stronger for being part of a group while pushing Ron, Hermione, and the others further into Harry's shadow.
Cheers
... to the wonderful Imelda Staunton for her absolutely dead-on, pitch-perfect performance as Professor Dolores Umbridge. She gets it all exactly right, from the fussy pink sweater to the annoying little laugh, and the scenes and montages narrating Umbridge's rise to power are uniformly terrific.
... to Alan Rickman, who was once again underutilized. We really should have seen more of him, but Rickman's Professor Snape is so deliciously oily that he steals every scene he's in.
... to Daniel Radcliffe, whose strong performance allows him to hold onto our sympathy even during Harry's tantrums.
... to the art direction and really superb visuals. I particularly liked the use of newspapers and the large poster of Cornelius Fudge, which simultaneously recalled 1984's Big Brother and Orson Welles' Citizen Kane.
... for the much-publicized first kiss between Harry and Cho. Even after all the hype, it didn't disappoint.
... for the spectacular fight scene in the Department of Mysteries. I was a little disappointed that some of my favorite exchanges between Dumbledore and Voldemort were lost, but the filmmakers have made a valid choice to keep the focus on Harry's inner struggle as much as possible.
... for the superb psychological realism of the entire film.
Jeers
... for violating the laws by which at least two, and possibly more, magical objects/processes work. One of J. K. Rowling's greatest talents lies in the creation of an internally consistent fantasy world. She always respects her own rules; the director and screenwriter should have followed suit.
... for prominently featuring a spell Harry doesn't learn until the sixth book.
... for dumping the Quidditch plotline, which leaves Ron almost nothing to do but follow Harry around and be quietly supportive. Joining the Gryffindor Quidditch team gives both Ron and Ginny a chance to emerge from the shadow of their older brothers and develop on their own, but the film denies them this opportunity. The HP movies have consistently shortchanged Ron, portraying him as a rather fearful sidekick rather than a valuable ally, and Ginny does not fare much better. Although she does some impressive wandwork, she asserts little individuality.
... for also dumping the plotline in which Hermione and Ron (not Harry) become prefects. The Inquisitorial Squad, which makes only a brief appearance in the film, is meant to be a corrupt foil to the traditional, legitimate form of student authority; the Squad has little meaning by itself. In Book 5, we see students like Hermione and Ron (and, in flashback, Remus Lupin) struggling with their new power as prefects. Without this plotline, an important theme about the responsibilities of authority is compromised; viewers are more likely to come away with an image of smart kids rebelling against cruel and stupid adults than with an understanding of the obligations and abuses of power.
To give one example: Rowling's Hermione knows she is subverting the system when she talks Harry into teaching the kids Defense Against the Dark Arts, but she is careful to stay within the letter, if not the spirit, of the law: "[E]ven if Umbridge does come in here there's nothing she can do to stop us, Harry, because I've double- and triple-checked the school rules. We're not out-of-bounds . . . . And I've looked up everything I can think of about study groups and homework groups and they're definitely allowed" (Order of the Phoenix 336). In the book, Hermione is prepared to use Hogwarts law as a defense; in the film, however, she merely giggles and says, "Sometimes it's fun to break the rules." Ron's response is both ironic and appropriate: "Who are you and what have you done with Hermione Granger?"
... to the screenwriter and director for ignoring the lessons of their own movie. Over and over, the film insists that Harry is the stronger for being part of a group while pushing Ron, Hermione, and the others further into Harry's shadow.
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Harry Potter Spoiler Alert!
 | My Harry Potter Spoiler of Doom is: Hermione Granger goes on a hot date with Colonel Mustard with an army of furious ghosts Get your Harry Potter Spoiler of Doom |
How to Grow Forbidden Fruit
My dad likes to tell a story about when my brother was just a toddler and started messing with something my parents didn't want him handling.
"Billy, if you touch that, you're going to get a spanking," my dad warned.
Billy reached out his little hand, stopping just short of the forbidden object. My father swears that he could see the wheels turning in his son's mind: "I know if I touch this, I'm going to get a spanking, but it might be worth a spanking if I could just touch it ONE MORE TIME!"
How many of us have had this same experience? As soon as someone tells us no, we're immediately inspired with a craving for the forbidden fruit. To quote my father, a man who knows a great deal about human nature, once more: "Everyone wants what they think they can't have."
It's worth remembering that this wisdom holds true for books. For an excellent example, read Judy Blume's introductory essay to Places I Never Meant to Be: Original Stories by Censored Writers.
"Billy, if you touch that, you're going to get a spanking," my dad warned.
Billy reached out his little hand, stopping just short of the forbidden object. My father swears that he could see the wheels turning in his son's mind: "I know if I touch this, I'm going to get a spanking, but it might be worth a spanking if I could just touch it ONE MORE TIME!"
How many of us have had this same experience? As soon as someone tells us no, we're immediately inspired with a craving for the forbidden fruit. To quote my father, a man who knows a great deal about human nature, once more: "Everyone wants what they think they can't have."
It's worth remembering that this wisdom holds true for books. For an excellent example, read Judy Blume's introductory essay to Places I Never Meant to Be: Original Stories by Censored Writers.
Friday, July 6, 2007
An Interview with H. J. Ralles
H. J. Ralles is the author of many critically-acclaimed YA novels, including Darok 9, Darok 10, and the Keeper series (Keeper of the Kingdom, Keeper of the Realm, Keeper of the Empire, and Keeper of the Colony). Her newest book, Keeper of the Island, is the fifth and final book of the Keeper series, which chronicles the adventures of Matt, a young man who has been sucked into a video game and has no choice but to play his way out.
I caught up with the busy Ms. Ralles at Barnes & Noble Booksellers in Denton, Texas, where she was signing copies of her latest book and co-hosting a pirate-themed activity with Cindy Vallar (a.k.a. “The Pirate Lady”).
Did you intend to create a series when you started the first Keeper book?
HR: No, not at all. I wrote Keeper of the Kingdom for my son, who was ten years old at the time. After I sold it, my publisher said, “You know, this would make a good series,” and he asked me to change the ending so I could continue Matt’s story. When the first printing sold out in six months, we knew we’d made the right choice; there was definitely an audience for a series.
Series are popular with readers because when they read a good book, they want more of the same, only different. Is that a challenge for the author?
HR: It is. I hit on the idea of Matt moving to the next level of the game in every book, which allows me to keep things fresh. Each book is set in a different place, Matt meets a different girl who helps him, and he fights a different enemy. The only constant is the rules of the game; those remain the same at every level. I’ve also tried to make each book a separate story that can stand alone; you can enjoy the fifth book even if you haven’t read the first four.
How does time move over the course of the series? Does Matt get older in every book?
HR: A lot of readers have asked me that question, and the answer appears in Keeper of the Island. I can’t tell you more than that; I don’t want to give away the secret!
In the Harry Potter series, the books have become darker and more complex as Harry has gotten older. This is fine for readers who have grown up along with Harry, because they’ve had to wait a year or two between books, but for young readers who are starting the series now—
HR: Yes, that can be a problem. When kids find something they like, they’ll read the entire series in two weeks, so there’s no maturing period. The Keeper books are all written for kids between 9 and 13 years old. There’s no bad language or anything inappropriate for that age.
Why did you choose to write about pirates in the final Keeper book?
HR: I’ve always been fascinated by pirates. When I was a little girl, one of my favorite stories was about a pirate, and it was set in a place I used to visit quite often with my family. Two years ago I went on a cruise to Belize, which is very rich in pirate history, and I felt I’d come full circle. I knew I wanted to write a pirate adventure.
There’s a trend in YA fiction, and of course in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, toward a more positive view of pirates. Are your pirates good or bad?
HR: I suppose they’re bad pirates, but again, I don’t want to say too much . . .
CV: I think your depiction of pirates in Keeper of the Island is very authentic.
HR: Oh, do you? Thanks, that means a lot coming from you. I knew I wanted the pirates to be authentic, even though the series is set in 2540 A.D. People don’t usually think about modern pirates, and how pirates can exist in a futuristic setting is another one of the mysteries of the book.
Occasionally, science fiction and fantasy offend people’s sensibilities. Does it bother you when readers try to defend the authors by saying, “Oh, it’s just fiction”?
HR: Well, I do try to make sure that anything factual in my books is as accurate as possible. For example, in Keeper of the Island, I give some information about pirates and their ships. Matt incorrectly calls the pirate ship a galleon—because we always associate pirates with galleons, don’t we?—but the captain explains that it’s actually a square- rigger.
CV: The ships used in the old Captain Blood movies were galleons because they had nice big decks, perfect for staging a sword fight. But real pirates wouldn’t have used galleons because they’re big and unwieldy and hard to steer, plus they have a low draft, which means they can’t sail into shallow water. Pirates preferred quick, agile ships like schooners, sloops, and square-riggers.
HR: Well, that’s the sort of information I try to include in my books. Being a teacher, it’s partly my goal to inform my readers. For the Darok series, I had to do a lot of research on the potential challenges of space colonization, as well as on cryonics and cloning, and I shared what I’d learned with my readers. My books are taught in 7th and 8th grade science classes because they present factual information in an entertaining way. In fact, I was invited to sign Darok 9 and Darok 10 at the International Space Development Conference in Dallas, and the Space Frontier Foundation reviewed those books as well.
HR: My books have good moral values, which are important whether you’re writing fiction or non-fiction. Good wins out over evil. The kids work with adults, not against them, to achieve their goals. As a mother and a teacher, I’m upset by stories where 13-year-olds drive cars. Writers of YA fiction have a lot of responsibility. For myself, I want to show positive interactions between kids and adults: the kids respect the adults’ competence, and the adults listen to what the kids have to say.
To visit H. J. Ralles's website, click here.
I caught up with the busy Ms. Ralles at Barnes & Noble Booksellers in Denton, Texas, where she was signing copies of her latest book and co-hosting a pirate-themed activity with Cindy Vallar (a.k.a. “The Pirate Lady”).
Did you intend to create a series when you started the first Keeper book?
HR: No, not at all. I wrote Keeper of the Kingdom for my son, who was ten years old at the time. After I sold it, my publisher said, “You know, this would make a good series,” and he asked me to change the ending so I could continue Matt’s story. When the first printing sold out in six months, we knew we’d made the right choice; there was definitely an audience for a series.
Series are popular with readers because when they read a good book, they want more of the same, only different. Is that a challenge for the author?
HR: It is. I hit on the idea of Matt moving to the next level of the game in every book, which allows me to keep things fresh. Each book is set in a different place, Matt meets a different girl who helps him, and he fights a different enemy. The only constant is the rules of the game; those remain the same at every level. I’ve also tried to make each book a separate story that can stand alone; you can enjoy the fifth book even if you haven’t read the first four.
How does time move over the course of the series? Does Matt get older in every book?
HR: A lot of readers have asked me that question, and the answer appears in Keeper of the Island. I can’t tell you more than that; I don’t want to give away the secret!
In the Harry Potter series, the books have become darker and more complex as Harry has gotten older. This is fine for readers who have grown up along with Harry, because they’ve had to wait a year or two between books, but for young readers who are starting the series now—
HR: Yes, that can be a problem. When kids find something they like, they’ll read the entire series in two weeks, so there’s no maturing period. The Keeper books are all written for kids between 9 and 13 years old. There’s no bad language or anything inappropriate for that age.
Why did you choose to write about pirates in the final Keeper book?
HR: I’ve always been fascinated by pirates. When I was a little girl, one of my favorite stories was about a pirate, and it was set in a place I used to visit quite often with my family. Two years ago I went on a cruise to Belize, which is very rich in pirate history, and I felt I’d come full circle. I knew I wanted to write a pirate adventure.
There’s a trend in YA fiction, and of course in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, toward a more positive view of pirates. Are your pirates good or bad?
HR: I suppose they’re bad pirates, but again, I don’t want to say too much . . .
CV: I think your depiction of pirates in Keeper of the Island is very authentic.
HR: Oh, do you? Thanks, that means a lot coming from you. I knew I wanted the pirates to be authentic, even though the series is set in 2540 A.D. People don’t usually think about modern pirates, and how pirates can exist in a futuristic setting is another one of the mysteries of the book.
Occasionally, science fiction and fantasy offend people’s sensibilities. Does it bother you when readers try to defend the authors by saying, “Oh, it’s just fiction”?
HR: Well, I do try to make sure that anything factual in my books is as accurate as possible. For example, in Keeper of the Island, I give some information about pirates and their ships. Matt incorrectly calls the pirate ship a galleon—because we always associate pirates with galleons, don’t we?—but the captain explains that it’s actually a square- rigger.
CV: The ships used in the old Captain Blood movies were galleons because they had nice big decks, perfect for staging a sword fight. But real pirates wouldn’t have used galleons because they’re big and unwieldy and hard to steer, plus they have a low draft, which means they can’t sail into shallow water. Pirates preferred quick, agile ships like schooners, sloops, and square-riggers.
HR: Well, that’s the sort of information I try to include in my books. Being a teacher, it’s partly my goal to inform my readers. For the Darok series, I had to do a lot of research on the potential challenges of space colonization, as well as on cryonics and cloning, and I shared what I’d learned with my readers. My books are taught in 7th and 8th grade science classes because they present factual information in an entertaining way. In fact, I was invited to sign Darok 9 and Darok 10 at the International Space Development Conference in Dallas, and the Space Frontier Foundation reviewed those books as well.
HR: My books have good moral values, which are important whether you’re writing fiction or non-fiction. Good wins out over evil. The kids work with adults, not against them, to achieve their goals. As a mother and a teacher, I’m upset by stories where 13-year-olds drive cars. Writers of YA fiction have a lot of responsibility. For myself, I want to show positive interactions between kids and adults: the kids respect the adults’ competence, and the adults listen to what the kids have to say.
To visit H. J. Ralles's website, click here.
Children's Media: Books vs. Movies
On July 4, I wrote about parents' attempts to limit their children's reading as "loving censorship," but in my first post, I mentioned the importance of finding age-appropriate books for young readers. I want to clarify this seeming contradiction. Sometimes parental direction is both beneficial and necessary, particularly when a popular children's book is adapted to a film that "everyone" is going to see. Not only will the movie be marketed to a much broader age group than the original book was intended for, but there's an essential difference between text and images.
As communications theorist Neil Postman explains in his book Amusing Ourselves to Death, written language is a complex system that requires skillful interpretation; thus it functions as a kind of self-authorizing code. If the child is old enough to understand complex sentences, sophisticated vocabulary, and abstract thought, she is probably mature enough to handle the content of the text. Thus it's relatively easy to protect children from "adult" information encoded in books.
Film, on the other hand, presents information in images, which do not require (much) decoding and are fairly easy to understand. Therefore, movies and television have no built-in safeguards to protect children from receiving information they're not intellectually or emotionally ready to receive. I will never forget my shock at seeing six- and seven-year-olds racing up and down the theater aisles at a showing of Jurassic Park. Parents who thought dinosaurs + Spielberg + McDonald's tie-in = children's movie were outraged by the violent images in the film, but they would never have handed Michael Crichton's book to their children (nor would the kids have gotten through more than a paragraph or two).
Adults as well as children enjoy Harry Potter precisely because the series contains so many intellectual challenges: e.g., sophisticated vocabulary (including British slang), complex characterization, subtle foreshadowing, and detailed plotting, not to mention the daunting length (the fifth book, Order of the Phoenix, is 870 pages long). Understanding the movies does not require the same skill and intellectual maturity, however, and there's nothing but a parent's "no" to protect young viewers from frightening images. I would recommend telling kids that they can see the movie only if they read the book first. Readers who are too young for Harry Potter's dark tone and occasionally violent episodes are likely to give up on the book as "too hard" long before they become upset, unless an adult is reading and interpreting the book for them. And this leads me to my final point.
Allowing children the freedom to make their own reading choices means letting them decide when to put a book down. Young readers are capable of figuring out on their own that a book is too hard or scary or "weird" (i.e., out of sync with their beliefs and worldview) for them, and they will put it down without having to be rescued.
As communications theorist Neil Postman explains in his book Amusing Ourselves to Death, written language is a complex system that requires skillful interpretation; thus it functions as a kind of self-authorizing code. If the child is old enough to understand complex sentences, sophisticated vocabulary, and abstract thought, she is probably mature enough to handle the content of the text. Thus it's relatively easy to protect children from "adult" information encoded in books.
Film, on the other hand, presents information in images, which do not require (much) decoding and are fairly easy to understand. Therefore, movies and television have no built-in safeguards to protect children from receiving information they're not intellectually or emotionally ready to receive. I will never forget my shock at seeing six- and seven-year-olds racing up and down the theater aisles at a showing of Jurassic Park. Parents who thought dinosaurs + Spielberg + McDonald's tie-in = children's movie were outraged by the violent images in the film, but they would never have handed Michael Crichton's book to their children (nor would the kids have gotten through more than a paragraph or two).
Adults as well as children enjoy Harry Potter precisely because the series contains so many intellectual challenges: e.g., sophisticated vocabulary (including British slang), complex characterization, subtle foreshadowing, and detailed plotting, not to mention the daunting length (the fifth book, Order of the Phoenix, is 870 pages long). Understanding the movies does not require the same skill and intellectual maturity, however, and there's nothing but a parent's "no" to protect young viewers from frightening images. I would recommend telling kids that they can see the movie only if they read the book first. Readers who are too young for Harry Potter's dark tone and occasionally violent episodes are likely to give up on the book as "too hard" long before they become upset, unless an adult is reading and interpreting the book for them. And this leads me to my final point.
Allowing children the freedom to make their own reading choices means letting them decide when to put a book down. Young readers are capable of figuring out on their own that a book is too hard or scary or "weird" (i.e., out of sync with their beliefs and worldview) for them, and they will put it down without having to be rescued.
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Freedom to Read
It turns out that the American Library Association (ALA) has issued a Freedom to Read Statement. It was first adopted in 1953 and was amended in 1972, 1991, 2000, and 2004. Here are some highlights:
Most attempts at suppression rest on a denial of the fundamental premise of democracy: that the ordinary individual, by exercising critical judgment, will select the good and reject the bad. We trust Americans to recognize propaganda and misinformation, and to make their own decisions about what they read and believe.
Every silencing of a heresy, every enforcement of an orthodoxy, diminishes the toughness and resilience of our society and leaves it the less able to deal with controversy and difference.
Creative thought is by definition new, and what is new is different. The bearer of every new thought is a rebel until that idea is refined and tested.
The power of a democratic system to adapt to change is vastly strengthened by the freedom of its citizens to choose widely from among conflicting opinions offered freely to them. To stifle every nonconformist idea at birth would mark the end of the democratic process.
Furthermore, only through the constant activity of weighing and selecting can the democratic mind attain the strength demanded by times like these. We need to know not only what we believe but why we believe it.
The Most Important Freedom
I have a friend whose father used to control her leisure reading so strictly that he actually used a magic marker to black out any objectionable words or passages. At the bookstore and the library, I frequently see children negotiating with their parents for the privilege of reading a particular book: "Please, please, please!" In running my book group, I've met several parent-child pairs who read together, and I've often thought what a wonderful experience that would be, but reading in tandem also opens the door to many opportunities for loving censorship: "I don't think we should continue with this book" or "Let's stop reading this book for now, and we'll come back to it when you're older."
My own childhood reading benefited from a kind of benign, or perhaps benevolent, neglect. My parents gave me books, many of them, which certainly directed my reading, but they also encouraged me to make use of my school and community libraries, where I always had the freedom to make my own choices. I don't remember ever having to plead for the right to read Judy Blume or Norma Klein or Zilpha Keatley Snyder (the closest thing my generation had to J. K. Rowling). My parents may have kept a watchful eye on what I was reading (and my mother assures me that they did), but I was unaware of it. For my part, I never tried to hide what I was reading from my parents. The thought never crossed my mind.
Today, the Fourth of July, we celebrate our many cherished freedoms, including freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom of the press, and freedom of assembly. Underlying all these is the most important right of all--freedom of thought. Children should not be denied this most important freedom merely because they are children and therefore legal minors. Intellectual independence is not a privilege to be earned but a birthright. Children should and must be free to develop their own thoughts, and this means observing, questioning, and entering into conversation with a wide range of other thinkers. What better way to do this than to read?
My own childhood reading benefited from a kind of benign, or perhaps benevolent, neglect. My parents gave me books, many of them, which certainly directed my reading, but they also encouraged me to make use of my school and community libraries, where I always had the freedom to make my own choices. I don't remember ever having to plead for the right to read Judy Blume or Norma Klein or Zilpha Keatley Snyder (the closest thing my generation had to J. K. Rowling). My parents may have kept a watchful eye on what I was reading (and my mother assures me that they did), but I was unaware of it. For my part, I never tried to hide what I was reading from my parents. The thought never crossed my mind.
Today, the Fourth of July, we celebrate our many cherished freedoms, including freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom of the press, and freedom of assembly. Underlying all these is the most important right of all--freedom of thought. Children should not be denied this most important freedom merely because they are children and therefore legal minors. Intellectual independence is not a privilege to be earned but a birthright. Children should and must be free to develop their own thoughts, and this means observing, questioning, and entering into conversation with a wide range of other thinkers. What better way to do this than to read?
Sunday, July 1, 2007
Harry Potter Events at the Denton Public Libraries
Are you counting the days until the next Harry Potter movie? Is the wait for the final Harry Potter book driving you insane?
The Denton Public Libraries feel your pain, and they've got some cool events to make the wait a little easier.
HARRY POTTER DEATH POOL
Emily Fowler Central Library
J. K. Rowling has announced that two characters will die in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Can you guess who? Contest begins July 1 and runs through July 20. Fun giveaways for the winner! Call 940.349.8752
HARRY POTTER FILM FESTIVAL
HP and the Sorcerer's Stone
July 9, 2:30 p.m. - South Branch Library
HP and the Chamber of Secrets
July 10, 2:30 p.m. - South Branch Library
HP and the Prisoner of Azkaban
July 12, 2:30 p.m. - Emily Fowler Central Library
HP and the Goblet of Fire
July 13, 2:30 p.m. - North Branch
* Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult for all movies
HARRY POTTER JEOPARDY!
July 17, 4 p.m. - Emily Fowler Central
Come test your knowledge of Harry Potter trivia (rounds for beginners and advanced players).
HARRY POTTER GAME NIGHT
July 18, 4 p.m. - South Branch
Think you're a Harry Potter wiz? Board games and video games will give you a chance to prove it!
BOOK DISCUSSION: GETTING READY FOR BOOK 7!
July 19, 4 p.m. - North Branch
Join us for a look back at our favorite HP moments and predictions about how the series will end.
BOOK DISCUSSION: HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS
July 26, 4 p.m. - North Branch
Finally, all is revealed! Die-hard fans who've already finished the book should join us for this exciting discussion. Can Harry Potter really be over?
The Denton Public Libraries feel your pain, and they've got some cool events to make the wait a little easier.
HARRY POTTER DEATH POOL
Emily Fowler Central Library
J. K. Rowling has announced that two characters will die in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Can you guess who? Contest begins July 1 and runs through July 20. Fun giveaways for the winner! Call 940.349.8752
HARRY POTTER FILM FESTIVAL
HP and the Sorcerer's Stone
July 9, 2:30 p.m. - South Branch Library
HP and the Chamber of Secrets
July 10, 2:30 p.m. - South Branch Library
HP and the Prisoner of Azkaban
July 12, 2:30 p.m. - Emily Fowler Central Library
HP and the Goblet of Fire
July 13, 2:30 p.m. - North Branch
* Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult for all movies
HARRY POTTER JEOPARDY!
July 17, 4 p.m. - Emily Fowler Central
Come test your knowledge of Harry Potter trivia (rounds for beginners and advanced players).
HARRY POTTER GAME NIGHT
July 18, 4 p.m. - South Branch
Think you're a Harry Potter wiz? Board games and video games will give you a chance to prove it!
BOOK DISCUSSION: GETTING READY FOR BOOK 7!
July 19, 4 p.m. - North Branch
Join us for a look back at our favorite HP moments and predictions about how the series will end.
BOOK DISCUSSION: HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS
July 26, 4 p.m. - North Branch
Finally, all is revealed! Die-hard fans who've already finished the book should join us for this exciting discussion. Can Harry Potter really be over?
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