Raise your hand if you enjoy (or at least appreciate) Harry Potter but....?

Question

...but are tired of the book dominating the entire category. Admit it: it gets tedious after a while.

Okay, okay. Settle down all you indignant die-hard Harry Potter fans. There's no need to flame me...I've heard your arguments before: "Anything that gets kids to read..." "You're jealous...." "Let's see YOU try to..." blah, blah, blah.

I have nothing against Harry Potter, really I don't, in fact I was part of the countdown to midnight celebration (Borders). The problem I have with this (and any fad) is that it's just that: it's a FAD and seems to eclipse every other discussion in the section.

Of course, that it IS a FAD is the only consolation I have....the interest will eventually fade. It's great that kids are reading, but what happens when they're done with HP? Do they return to the TV or do they pick up another book? Hate to say it but I'd bet the former over the later.

I know I am angering some, but I'd love to hear some intelligent responses, not emotional venting

There have been several comments that I am not giving kids enough credit...honestly, I'm not working in a vacuum; I see these kids everyday and I have already seen a similar shift back to TV (and videogames)....again, sad to say, but it's happening.

Answer 1

You raise a valid point. I think we all have a responsibility in getting kids interested in reading. I love Harry Potter, and have read all the books, attended the parties, etc. but I have to say that, as a middle school English teacher, not every child is a huge fan of Harry Potter and there are lots of series out there that are grabbing the attention of young readers.

In my classroom we place an enormous emphasis on independent reading, and I often encourage kids to share the books they've read. This has resulted in kids getting REALLY excited about certain series, so much so that I had to buy extra copies of the books and still couldn't keep them on the shelves. (Two series that come to mind are Scott Westerfeld's "Uglies" series, and John Marsden's "Tomorrow" series.)

Kids will not automatically go back to the TV, but they have to have access to other great books and encouragement from adults and their peers to read. Nothing excites a kid more to read a book than someone telling them how good it is and conveying their excitement.

We need to give kids more credit. Now that they've read the Harry Potter series (and significantly improved thier literacy levels in the process) they will be more open to reading and searching out new books. We just have to make sure that we're there to help them do it!

Answer 2

well.. every once in a while, things like that, things we call fad, come in the society. some may have impact on you and not with others and some may have impact on the others but not to you. HP is a nice book, very creative and all, and kids love it. we cannot do anything anything about it, can we?

fads come and go. so now, with the new book just released, and the movie just shown, its still on the rise .. but once it hit the climax, then the only way it will go is in the "history". so just let it pass by. for those really avid fans, after a while, after the HP mania has passed, they will find another, or another book or gadget or whatever will come out to the market to catch their eyes...

well. lets just wait and see

Answer 3

As the book was released less than a week ago, and was the highly anticipated end to a seven-book series, it's not surprising that it's dominating the category right now. You have to remember that millions of people have just finished reading it, or are in in the process of reading it, and naturally want to discuss it.

Maybe some people will want to re-read the entire series from beginning to end to understand how everything fits together. That, too, is understandable. But this level of interest will eventually fade.

Anyway, school will begin soon, and the discussions will once more be dominated by "Please write my essay on 'Great Expectations' for me." (Sorry... I usually try not to be so cynical...)

Answer 4

I really think that kids will pick up another book. Since HP came out, some other authors have come up with some great fantasy stories. The Eragon series, for example. It's a great story: it has magic, andventure, romance, drama.

I think people don't credit kids enough with intelligence. Most adults think that kids are zombies who live to play video games and watch television. This series, HP, has gotten them to look forward to something, and they will not be happy with idle tv anymore.

Answer 5

Dont you realize that Harry Potter will most likely travel thrugh the genetatons? And the kids who read it now, the ones who knew it was something important to them because it made them dream and think and wonder, you know what will happen? They'll grow up. And pass it on to the another kid, who will read it and dream and think and wonder. I disagree with you, a book that gave kids another world to live in, in their minds, won't die. Kids aren't as simple-minded and lazy as you give them credit for.

Answer 6

I find it funny that you create yet another Harry Potter question after stating "are tired of the book dominating the entire category".

Answer 7

Why are the rest of the questions about how to kill a mocking bird?. If you just wait a month this will all die down. I mean just let people ask questions. you asking an this HP question will just encourage people to ask more questions. anyway let people have their fun. It's the last book after all.

Answer 8

Hey, I don't read the HP books, but I'm impressed that they are causing the world's population to read again!

Answer 9

I agree with you. I love Harry Potter, but it's not the only book series out there.

Answer 10

although I love the harry P. books myself I think I have to agree with you T.V. is probably going to win out over another book.