SCHOOL LIBRARIES WORLDWIDE

Volume 9, Number 1, January 2003

Theme: Reading in the Age of Harry Potter

In Defense of Harry Potter: An Apologia
Nancy Flanagan Knapp
J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter books are arguably the most popular series ever in children's fiction, but also one of the most controversial. Repeated challenges have led some schools and libraries to remove or ban the books, with even more choosing to avoid problems by simply recommending or using other books. This article presents evidence that Rowling's books should be kept, used, and recommended in libraries and schools because they exemplify three essential qualities of great children's literature: they are intensely engaging; they have significant literary worth, and they raise questions of deep significance to children's social and ethical development.

Copyright of works published in School Libraries Worldwide is jointly held by the author(s) and by the International Association of School Librarianship (IASL).The author(s) retain copyright of their works, but give permission to IASL to reprint their works in collections or other such documents published by or on behalf of IASL. Author(s) who give permission for their works to be reprinted elsewhere should inform the editor of School Libraries Worldwide and should ensure that the following statement appears with the article: Reprinted with permission, from School Libraries Worldwide, <issue volume, number, date, pages>.

Last updated 5 December 2008 (KSB)