A Massachusetts Catholic school has removed all Harry Potter books from its library, according to an article in today's Boston Globe:
But last month, students found that their favorite series had "disapparated" from the school library, after St. Joseph's pastor, the Rev. Ron Barker, removed the books, declaring that the themes of witchcraft and sorcery were inappropriate for a Catholic school.
"He said that he thought most children were strong enough to resist the temptation," said one mother who asked that her name not be used because she did not want her family to be singled out. "But he said it's his job to protect the weak and the strong."
The removal at St. Joseph's is the first reported instance that the wildly popular series has been banned in the Bay State, according to the American Library Association. But British author J.K. Rowling's series, which many educators credit with inspiring a generation of children to pick up a book, has been as controversial as it has been popular. Groups in at least 17 other states have tried to ban the books since the first one was published in 1998, prompting the library association last year to name the Harry Potter collection "the most challenged books of the 21st century."
1 comment:
Harry Potter has been out since I have been in the fourth grade.
After struggling with Dyslexia in grade school, these were the first books that were on my level that I ever picked up.
And one has been out every year up until my Sophmore year in high school.
That's saying something.
There's nothing wrong with these books.
They're inspiring.
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