Quote:
Originally Posted by leebase
Yes...this is an opinion piece. But it's written by a fan of the Harry Potter series.
To me, the appellation "Classic" is given to books to form a common foundation of understanding, myth and imagery for society. Classics aren't just the popular books that "were read"...but books that gained enough distinction in being presented as "books you should read" in school.
I just don't think there is anything of merit to the Potter series that "kids will be elevated in their humanity and education by reading this book".
Now, Potter books are a great "gateway book" that has prompted many kids to learn to love reading. And I think it will always have a place as a popularly loved book. But that's the same play you'd put comic books or any book from a popular movie. Gateway books are valuable...but they aren't classics.
Rasin in the Sun? Classic. Hunger Games? Gateway book
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I have been a voracious reader ever since I learned to read and am now 81 years old. I read the Harry Potter series and enjoyed the first 3 books a lot, the others not so much. I doubt if they will ever be "classics" as I wouldn't read them again but so what? Any books or stories, even comic books, that get children interested in reading are good in my estimation. In my lifetime I have read most of "classics" and best-sellers and books on every subject under the sun, in my old age I read for entertainment and my favorites are mysteries, thrillers, action and science fiction.
I think schools make a mistake in forcing children to read certain books, they should have a much wider choice because not everybody likes the same reading matter. Their focus should be on getting children to like reading, and giving them books to read that they don't like might just turn them off reading.