One of a Potterhead’s worst nightmares is Harry Potter being banned at their school. For some kids, that fear is reality, in this article from The Herald.
MEDOWIE Christian School has defended a decision to ban witches and warlocks from its annual book week parade and the Harry Potter series from the school library.
The school was one of many in the Hunter that marked Book Week this week by asking children to dress up as their favourite book character for a parade.
Principal Samantha Van de Mortel asked parents not to send children to school on Wednesday as witches and warlocks because it was inconsistent with school values.
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Ms Van de Mortel said the Harry Potter series, which is about witches and wizards, was not available in the school library because it had been the subject of many international debates.
It topped the list as the 10 Most Challenged Books of the 21st Century by the American Library Association.
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Medowie mother Bobbie Antonic, whose children do not attend the school, raised the issue on social networking site Twitter and said she was concerned it was censorship.
‘‘I was just blown away by it. It’s just bizarre,’’ she said.
‘‘Books are not reality.’’
Medowie Christian School Parents and Friends Association manager Lisa Taylor said from a parent’s point of view the prohibition was ‘‘no big deal’’.
‘‘In the lead up to Halloween the shops are full of so many grotesque, frightening costumes and I’ve got two little boys,’’ she said. ‘‘It’s supposed to be a celebration of literature.’’
She said parents were happy the school library did not send students home with books that could force a topic up for discussion.
‘‘I would like to be able to make that choice for my own kids,’’ Ms Taylor said.
What would you do if Harry Potter got banned at your school?
I have to Comment on this being a Devoted HP Fan, I’m Not badmouthing anyone but people who swear how Dangerous these books are because of Devil Worship never got past the front cover. It’s a known fact there is Real good and bad magic and this book shows the good vs evil fight and keep’s you on the edge of your seat. Hey ! If we ban this book there’s another 600,000 books that should be banned for Good Vs Evil Fight. Plus the magic in these books are made up not like other books that are actual dangerous spell if used by bad people. Wake up
Is this really an issue of people hating on HP or a school defending a parents right to choose how their child is brought up and educated?
Some people need to get a life and complain less… HP FTW
Its important to get the facts right. There has been no sudden ‘ban’ on Harry Potter books at Medowie Christian School. Over 10 years ago, when the books were first published, and in understanding that not just the local, but the international community was divided on the topic of the book(s) Medowie Christian School decided not to stock the books in the school library, allowing parents to decide whether they would encourage their children to read the books which were and are freely available at local libraries, in bookstores and online. Thousands of schools across the globe made the same decision……again, over 10 years ago. Students are not ‘banned’ from reading the titles, the books are simply not stocked in the school library.
I have worked at the school for between 2-9 years, interestingly, the school has never had Harry Potter, never “banned” it, it does talk about such issues with children. Show the school evidence of where we have formally banned Harry Potter? Reward of $100
The title, “Harry Potter banned at Medowie Christian School,” refers to banning kids from wearing Harry Potter costumes during the school’s parade, as said in the first sentence of the article quote. Apologies if any of the facts from the article was incorrect, but it does clearly state that the Harry Potter books are not shelved in the library. Nowhere in the article does it say that students are not permitted to read Harry Potter or discuss it on school grounds- again, the title refers to banning Harry Potter costumes, as stated in the first sentence of the article quote.
I would be so mad and me and my Potterheaded friends would start a rebellion and we would all be so upset. Harry Potter isn’t all about bad stuff, you know, it’s actually the good things and the interesting but not about stuff that’s bad and people will argue about. And that’s why they argue about it. That’s what makes it famous and popular and how it, apparently, earned its bad reputation at that school. I don’t know why they can’t see that there are more enjoyable things in the series than arguable stuff.
HP was banned from my school ages ago- apparently it’s a form of Devil worship, although they clearly haven’t read the books and have no idea what they’re talking about.
You know that Bobbie Antonic hasn’t even read the book herself? Hardly newsworthy and probably more hypocritical!
http://www.4bc.com.au/blogs/4bc-blog/harry-potter-banned/20120824-24ra1.html#.UDdf1WgnLqI
As a former student of Medowie Christian School, I feel the need to point out that the Harry Potter books have never actually been banned. I have read all the books and watched the movies. The fact the Ms Antonic has felt she has had the right to raise issues with the schools decision is beyond me because as far as I can understand, she does not have any children at the school meaning she is not affected in any way by a decision that was made by the school when the books were first published. As it is not a public school, the school has the right to select which books it does and doesn’t have in the school’s library. Clearly, Ms Antonic has more time on her hands to worry about things that are none of her concern when she could be using that time constructively. I believe that when you say something, especially so publicly, you do need to check and make sure you have the facts right. I love Harry Potter books and they are books that are enjoyable to read but it needs to be remembered that parents have the final decision on where they send their children to school at. If you don’t like or agree with something that a school stands for, it is simple, don’t send your child there.
Lauren — You definitely present some valid points, and we appreciate your taking the time to share them. The only thing we would say, is that while private schools do have the right to make these choices, it’s socially irresponsible to castigate a series so beloved and full of virtue. It may be their decision, but it’s an ill-informed one.
Actually in my opinion, it’s not the book that affects the behavior of the children. It can be how they were brought up or how they are treated by people around them. I am a very religious Christian and being a potter fan all in all, my parents say I was made into a better person. Passing through the cover and reading something as a whole are things that they forget when judging something. In reading a book, you don’t just read a sentence because you might miss an important fact in the next one.