Harry Potter

[Patrick]

I read a lot, as well. To echo what Tammy said... I don't think the issue lies with kids buying it or with not knowing what good books are... these are good books, it just depends on personal taste. Some like them and some don't... the same goes for everything... including this website.

[Mart]

harry potter is just terrible, i havent read the book though, that might interest me. Probablem is when i watch films i always think , "oh just knock him out"

[monkeygirl]

i guess what bugs me is that just because tens of millions of kids buy them doesn't mean it is a good thing.

 

after all, ladies and gentlemen, i give you pokemon, bayblade, digimon....

 

Yeah, I understand. I was very skeptical when I tried the first book...by that time, book 4 had just come out, so little kids were well into the whole Potter frenzy. I think it started as a way for me to relate with the kids I babysit, so they can't make obscure references to some "You-Know-Who" person. Or when they have nightmares, I know why...

 

Once I picked up the first book from the library and started reading, though, I couldn't get myself to put it down. Good escape reading.

[Drunken Monkey]

well, i'm not saying that they are bad books as i'm sure that for a childrens' book, they must be a revelation but i think that by their nature, a childrens' book is quite simplistic in their approach and execution and hence, not totally deserving of the praises.

 

i think they are popular because of their simple nature; they don't require much effort to read (perhaps a sign of the times...).

 

in the same league as lord of the rings?

 

as the narnia tales?

 

the mary poppins books?

 

while they might be pushing forward the notion of a 'mature' childrens' book, it doesn't do anything new like the books i mentioned did.

 

... i really sound like an old man here...

[Red J]

I can't think of any "children's" book that has really caught on like the Harry Potter books. They have inspired a new generation of readers like no other book has. They have done much as far as bringing back reading as a legitimate form of entertainment. It has been reported that game cubes and playstations have been turned off in favor of reading. Unheard of....

 

I have read the books and enjoy talking to my kids about the books and the movies. The new release has created some excitement in our house.

[Drunken Monkey]

while i agree that nything that makes a child want to read is good i'm not entirely convinced that their reasons for reading the books are that valid....

 

i mean, 'wanting to read' is one thing,

 

'wanting to read harry potter' is something else,

 

'wanting to read because of harry potter' is another and finally we have 'only wanting to read harry potter'....

 

is it good if all they read is harry potter?

[SaiFightsMS]

The Harry Potter books have spurred a lof of kids into reading which is a very good thing. And they are entertaining reads. I will read the next books when they come out.

[TheDevilAside]

as the narnia tales?

 

going off on a tangent... hey I just bought the chronology from Borders yesterday! They're good, right?

[SaiFightsMS]

Is it good of all they read is Harry Potter? Good question. But most who read Potter go on and read other books as well.

[Fenris-wolf]

Well, I refused to read it for a long time but when I was finally bullied into it I loved them. Sure, they may not be deserving of all the praise they got... But what it?? And it is great that it's encouraging kids to read decent length books. (Yes, I read a lot, yes, it's personal taste.)

 

Not so fond of the movies, but it's hard to like a movie after the film, particularly if it's aimed at children. Again, personal taste. *shrug*

 

But I do think Lucius was very sexy (in the movie)... mmm... am I sick?