Harry Potter is a popular best-selling book series all over the world. The books follow the adventures of Harry Potter, a young boy who discovers he is a wizard and has an unknown history with a dark wizard named Voldemort. The books follow Harry's time at Hogwarts, a school for witches and wizards, and the unlocking of secrets within the wizarding world as he tries to defeat Voldemort.
* For a more detailed description - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Potter
The Harry Potter books have actually been challenged over 25 times in the United States since their initial release in 1997. The largest complaint amongst parents is that the books present the idea of witchcraft - something many people oppose as being too fanciful, while others fully refer to as Satanic belief. Other parents have challenged the books because of the actions of Harry Potter and his friends. The characters often break the rules of their school and sometimes take pleasure in their disobedience, but it is usually only a means to help someone or stop an evil. Other schools banned them deeming the books too frightening for some children.
* For more information on the banning of this book series - http://www.infoplease.com/spot/banned-harry.html
* And here - http://speakout.com/activism/issue_briefs/1319b-1.html
Do you think that these are valid reasons for parents to oppose these books? Should a school ban a book from its shelves and use in the classroom based on the religious beliefs of some, or should it be up to the students themselves whether they choose to read the books the school offers? Do you think the characters in Harry Potter could be bad influences on kids?
* 5 points extra credit
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