The Mystery of Harry Potter: A Catholic Family Guide

I learned about this book from of all people, my 10 year old daughter. She asked if I would order it so she could read it. I said if she promised to read it all the way through, then we would get it for her. When it arrived, I read it myself first, and realized that the book was meant more for parents than for children. However, I came up with a plan to use it with her active participation. I said that as she read the sixth book, after she finished a chapter, we would go through the "table discussions" and questions posed by Ms. Brown in a chapter of "The Mystery" book. It worked out very well - chapter after chapter I learned to appreciate a different side of the Harry Potter series than I might have otherwise, and so did my daughter. On top of that, we both got to talk to each other about the media, morality (including moral relativism), the value of heroes, making the right choices, and how we all have to constantly on our guard against the evil in this world. The book has other uses. For example, to stimulate dinner table discussion, and in helping parents decide if their child is really ready to read the series, and/or see the movies. For example, for several reasons, we delayed allowing our daughter to read the sixth book until this summer. After reading the seventh book, I can see she will have to wait until at least next summer for that. Thank you Mrs. Brown for making such a terrific resource available to parents - whether they are Catholic or not!

The Mystery of Harry Potter is a book I've been waiting for. Weary of defending the fact that I've allowed Harry into our home, I longed for some good Catholic mom to write down all the reasons why Harry can be perfectly compatible with a faithful, orthodox Catholic family. I've mentioned on my blog a couple of times that I wanted to write a series of posts about how I came to be a fan, came to allow the books for my older children, and about the ways in which I believe the books are misinterpreted or misrepresented by some outspoken Catholic critics. I haven't gotten that series done because other things have simply taken priority in life and writing, putting Harry on the back burner. And, being a stickler, I didn't want to write about the books until I could devote the time necessary to do them justice. I still don't have that series of posts written, but now it doesn't seem nearly as important. My own experience of initial reluctance, followed by treading slowly and carefully into Harry Territory, and then not only allowing the series, but enjoying it along with my kids, is very similar to Nancy Brown's experience. And, my overall take is the same as Nancy's, and it's simple: Read ... Guide ... Discuss. But, then, that's my take on everything with my kids. We read a lot of stuff together. Their dad and I guide them. There's discussion, often fun and lively, sometimes critical and dissecting. Isn't that what we parents are supposed to do? I really enjoyed the opening of Nancy's book, because it all sounded so familiar. Like Nancy, I was initially reluctant to jump on the Harry bandwagon. Like Nancy, I'd read a number of critical reviews from writers I respected. Like Nancy, I'd concluded that there were good reasons to stay away. My kids weren't interested anyway, so there was no conflict. But then, my kids started to ask about the books. I began quizzing friends who were simultaneously HP fans and orthodox Catholics. Then I decided to do the most common-sensical thing: It was time to read the books for myself. (Hmmm ... just like Nancy.) I previewed Book One about four years ago. I found it delightful. Not perfect, but delightful. A "rattlin' good story," as C.S. Lewis liked to call such yarns. And by the time I reached the last page, I was surprised by the overarching themes: sacrificial love, friendship and doing "what is right over what is easy." I decided to share the book with the kids as a read-aloud. From the get-go, we talked about the difference between "magic" as it is forbidden in the Catechism of the Catholic Church: 2116 All forms of divination are to be rejected: recourse to Satan or demons, conjuring up the dead or other practices falsely supposed to "unveil" the future.48 Consulting horoscopes, astrology, palm reading, interpretation of omens and lots, the phenomena of clairvoyance, and recourse to mediums all conceal a desire for power over time, history, and, in the last analysis, other human beings, as well as

As a concerned Catholic mom, I have followed the ups and downs, pros and cons of the Potter series and mega marketing extravaganza over the years. I read the first four books to my children aloud, but at that point put them down, uncomfortable with the dark new tone and arc of the series. Since that time, I have read and listened to compelling reasons to avoid the Potter series; I have also read lucid arguments supporting the series. As a homeschooling mom with graduate work in folklore and children's literature, my first reaction to the series was to support it as classic children's literature, complete with classic types and motifs and great structure and vocabulary...all the good stuff. However, in my efforts to be also a mindful catholic mother, I also found the other arguments against the series well thought out and worth considering. Ultimately, I just shut the series down at our house. The kids were not rabid about Potter and it was easier to take a wait and see stance. My husband took the kids to the movies and discussed them thoroughly, had them pick them apart and point out inconsistencies in the moral grounding (the ends never justify the means, etc) and ethics and so on. Now, as we approach the revealing of the full arc of the storyline, my interest has grown again toward deciding just what DO I think of the Potter series and how do I want to handle them? This is a long background to say that Mrs. Brown's book helped quite a bit for me to sort through the various arguments and 'camps' on the series. She presents all the different factions and objections as well as the positive qualities in an evenhanded, thoughtful manner. She cautions and does not endorse, rather, she presents and examines and asks the parent/reader to do the same and come to your own conclusion based on your own standards and needs. Areas of concern as a catholic parent are also examined and reviewed, with suggestions of topics to discuss and/or evaluate. I found the book very helpful. My husband is skeptical of the series as a whole and it's usefulness, I am encouraging him to also read this book so we can discuss it and make our decision together. I think this book is a great resource to digest the tsunami of Potter mania pro and con in a level-headed, even treatment, with the concerns of raising our kids catholic being paramount, rather then them simply being on the top of the secular mainstream cultural curve. Worth a look.

A bit of background on my part. I already love Harry. I didn't think I needed a guide for my family, but I have many friends who are convinced the stories are a slippery slope to evil. I was hoping this book would give me some helpful hints to discussing Potter with folks like this. What I really loved about this book is that it is a common sense approach, not only to Harry Potter, but to family-life in general. Ms. Brown encourages reading together as a family, and discussing themes and whether or not they are appropriate for your family. She reminds us, it is our job as parents to set rules and guidelines for our children in what they watch and what they read. Certainly, as she walks you through her own path to discovering HP, you come to understand why Potter is a worthy work for families to read together. Her book offers discussion questions, connections to literary history and real, honest-to-goodness thoughts about why Harry is an important phenomenon. Her guide cuts through the rhetoric and hyperbole associated with those who have frequently dismissed the books. It is a clear, concise, non-confrontational book about what I knew to be true when I began reading HP. Harry Potter is a morality tale. It is about how love triumphs over everything in the end. The Mystery of HP takes everything and makes you see how it works together. The book hits all right points, offers great questions to think about and makes me want to go back and re-read books 1 through 6 before #7 comes out this month (and maybe even some Chesterton too). Even if you've never questioned whether Harry Potter is appropriate for your family, if you don't feel the need for a "guide", this book is worth reading. She provides a reminder and an analysis of all that is good and true in the Potter series.

To read Harry Potter or not to read Harry Potter, that is (not) the (only) question. Nancy Brown tells us why the story is a moral story, what is heroic about the characters, and the literary merit of the books. She addresses critics' objections about magic, obedience, and the popular culture question (some ask, if it's so popular, how can it be good?). Her book offers answers to these questions and so much more. While focusing on a particular series, she shares her extensive general knowledge of literature and how it can best benefit our children. Even if you are one of the parents who is sure you never want your child to read the Harry Potter books, you will want to read this book so you can better understand your friends who do; and so you can better understand how to discuss with your children the literature that you do want them to read.