The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling has recently been under fire by many teachers and parents for its content. For the past three years it has been on an annual list of most challenged books according to ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom. It is also the most loved and money grossing book of our time.
The history of publication for the Harry Potter series is a rags-to-riches story. At times Rowling was living on public assistance while training for a full teaching certificate. Rowling was a single mother when she began to write the first book in her brother's coffee shop. This first book was part of a planned series that was going to amount to 5 or 6 books. "The rest is history." Books have been banned since they have been published. Some books more notable than others, some more horrendous. Censorship of the Harry Potter series has become a debatable topic.
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English: J.K. Rowling reads from Harry Potter and ...
English: taken by: Nicolai Schäfer Deutsch: "The ...Complaints have been made that it teaches witchcraft and wizardry. Others say it teaches the satanic occult. Most of the complaints have come from teachers, parents, librarians, but mostly from Christians. Christians are concerned with her arousal of the black arts. Michael O'Brien, a Christian fantasist, says that this indirect seduction (as used in Harry Potter) is the most destructive form of paganism compared to a direct assault on faith. This guise will do the greatest damage over the long haul. Catholics also agree that Harry Potter is dangerous. There have been so many complaints that in certain states the books have been removed from classrooms and libraries. South Carolina and New York are just a few states where parents have called for their removal because they feel the books promote the occult. Although the books promote imagination there are many other books that deal...