A Parent’s Guide to Harry Potter - Burkart, Gina. InterVarsity, c2005. 112p. $11.00, Paperback. ISBN 0830832882. 823’.914 Rowling, J.K.—Characters—Harry Potter—Handbooks, manuals, etc. Potter, Harry (Fictitious character)—Handbooks, manuals, etc. Children—Books and reading—Handbooks, manuals, etc. Children’s stories, English—History and criticism—Handbooks, manuals, etc. Fantasy fiction, English—History and criticism—Handbooks, manuals, etc. Wizards in literature—Handbooks, manuals, etc. Magic in literature—Handbooks, manuals, etc.

What to do with Harry? Parents and children have definite opinions about this popular series of books. Gina Burkart believes that “banning the books will only push children to read them in private, without parents, and the taboo areas will become the most attractive features of the books.” In A Parent’s Guide to Harry Potter, Burkart uncovers Christian parallels and the value of modern day fairy tales and their morals—not their magic or fantasy. Burkart intersperses “Questions to Bridge the Gap” on topics such as fear, bullies, diversity, anger, and the power of love. Parents and children can use these questions to talk together after they have read the Potter books. This is a much needed, thoroughly Christian resource for congregational libraries.

Nanette Goings
Faith Community Lutheran Church
Longmont, Colorado