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A Parent's Guide to Harry Potter
Harry Potter has captivated the imagination of millions of children. And Harry Potter has caused controversy in churches and schools. What's a parent to do with the magical, mystical world of Harry and his friends? Gina Burkart chose to read the books with her own children. As they read together, she discovered many parallels between Christian faith and the themes of these books. Indeed, the escapades of Harry Potter sparked significant conversation between Burkart and her kids. In this helpful, entertaining guide, Burkart shows how Harry Potter fits into the tradition of fairy tale writing and how this type of literature aids in building a moral framework. She highlights specific situations and emotions from Harry's world that children face in their own life, such as fear, anger, bullies, diversity and the choice of good over evil. Instead of magic words or easy answers, Burkart offers solid, practical advice for helping parents and children navigate Harry Potter's world--and our own--together.
112 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
September 2, 2017
Even as a Christian myself, I found the religiosity in this book to be heavy handed. However, there are some very clear examples and ideas in here about how to use HP to teach moral lessons to kids. As a youth librarian I believe strongly in mentoring kids through tough books instead of censoring (and thus turning the book into the forbidden fruit). HP can offer opportunities for meaningful discussion on hard topics with our kids. The author gets 3 stars instead of two because, although too preachy for my personal taste, she gives some solid examples and ideas from the HP books that are practical and realistic.
June 23, 2018
This was a great overview of how to actively discuss the many themes and topics the series contains with your children. It has been very helpful as I read through Harry Potter with my kids.
August 30, 2011
When the Harry Potter phenomenon started, I was skeptical of it. I did not encourage my children to read the books. I cringe when teachers read them in the classroom. Until recently, when an authority in children's book reviews, opened my eyes on the positive aspects of Harry Potter as a literary masterpiece.
Reading Gina Burkart's A Parent Guide to Harry Potter has further opened my mind on the valuable themes of Harry Potter and how children could learn good values and virtues from the book. Burkart has successfully used specific excerpts from the book and parallel this to day to day experiences of children. The inclusion of questions to ask children when discussing Harry Potter is also a useful guide for parents.
Burkart has successfully changed my mind set from seeing Harry as a wizard to seeing his qualities as a boy who experiences the usual growing pains, emotional struggles, friendship, family issues, triumphs of someone who chooses good over evil. After reading this book, I feel more confident to have a shared learning experience with my eldest son who has started reading the first book of Harry Potter.
Reading Gina Burkart's A Parent Guide to Harry Potter has further opened my mind on the valuable themes of Harry Potter and how children could learn good values and virtues from the book. Burkart has successfully used specific excerpts from the book and parallel this to day to day experiences of children. The inclusion of questions to ask children when discussing Harry Potter is also a useful guide for parents.
Burkart has successfully changed my mind set from seeing Harry as a wizard to seeing his qualities as a boy who experiences the usual growing pains, emotional struggles, friendship, family issues, triumphs of someone who chooses good over evil. After reading this book, I feel more confident to have a shared learning experience with my eldest son who has started reading the first book of Harry Potter.
March 8, 2017
There is much controversy over this book and I have kept my kids from reading it. A month ago I decided to do it as a read aloud with L&A but was still not sure. Read several positive and negative articles as to yes or no and decided that it was important to read it with them and discuss. So far all I have done is read with no discussion.
Listened to this on Hoopla and it convicted me of yes read but my lack of discussion. She gives a great platform for how and what to discuss from a biblical perspective so I ordered it from Amazon and hope to implement some talking.
Listened to this on Hoopla and it convicted me of yes read but my lack of discussion. She gives a great platform for how and what to discuss from a biblical perspective so I ordered it from Amazon and hope to implement some talking.
March 22, 2024
A reasonable look at the Harry Potter series as a fictional work of fantasy that shares some Christian values within the series - like honesty, integrity, and sacrifice. This view is the most compelling I've read as it doesn't throw out Harry Potter and keep some similar works (I'm looking at you Chronicles of Narnia and Lord of the Rings) that is most commonly done.
February 25, 2025
A thoughtful and enlightening analysis of Harry Potter, offering insights that go beyond a religious perspective. Even as someone who isn’t religious, I found the discussion engaging and thought-provoking. A great read for those looking to explore deeper themes in the series!
May 24, 2018
For a very Christian centric book, I found a lot of atheistic value in it!
July 6, 2023
I'm a big fan of Harry Potter, but this book was too much like MANY five paragraph essays. A bit dull and repetitive. However, for someone unsure about HP, then it probably has its merits.
February 8, 2024
Great thoughts on how to relate Harry Potter stories to real life and how to discuss with your children!
May 6, 2023
This book was a guide to Harry Potter, and how to face it from a religious point of view. Apparently, oblivious to me, Harry Potter has caused some controversy to religious people and exposing their children to the stories as it could contain black magic. But I do sort of understand their point of view.
It was a really interesting read. I didn’t expect to enjoy it, but I did. I initially thought it would be bashing the series, but it was quite the opposite. It was about discussing things with children and how to relate it to the religion.
To be fair, there wasn’t much I didn’t like about the book. I enjoyed, how it gave advice and actually liked that it gave advice about life not just relating to Harry Potter.
Overall, I would recommend it. It’s not a necessary read, but if you’re a Potterhead like me, or want to know how to apply teachings in a book to real life, this is your go to book!
It was a really interesting read. I didn’t expect to enjoy it, but I did. I initially thought it would be bashing the series, but it was quite the opposite. It was about discussing things with children and how to relate it to the religion.
To be fair, there wasn’t much I didn’t like about the book. I enjoyed, how it gave advice and actually liked that it gave advice about life not just relating to Harry Potter.
Overall, I would recommend it. It’s not a necessary read, but if you’re a Potterhead like me, or want to know how to apply teachings in a book to real life, this is your go to book!
March 9, 2019
2 stars [Parenting]
There are only a few features of this book that redeemed it from an awful rating: Burkart's exhortation for parents to be involved in the literate lives of their children, Ch. 3's message that fantasy isn't evil or escapist per se, the "Questions to Bridge the Gap"--a means of drawing out youths' responses--are solid, and the opinion that everyday good choices are a better option than the quick fix of magic. But that is all.
Burkart elsewhere makes poor analogies, and misses the point in several areas. Her poor analogies include Aslan on the Stone Table with Lily Potter saving Harry through “love.” This is a fundamental misunderstanding of the difference between agape and motherly love. She claims Christianity, but exhibits a disconnect between her own views and Christian theology. For instance, on p36 she says, “As readers, we rejoice when the Dursleys get what is coming to them.” But not only is their persecution overwrought and unrealistic, but Christians are not rejoice at temporal come-uppance. We are to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. She calls the Harry Potter books a fight between good and evil, but Rowling neither knows nor depicts “good.” It is likened to “using the Force” in Star Wars. Burkart forgets or ignores that writers can have agendas. Burkart only mentions the nature of magic—what should have been the central premise of the book—a single time. There she tries to paint it as nothing but comic relief. In fact, she errs disastrously when she claims magic isn’t real on p47 and 102. Magic is real. The spiritual world exists, and it can materially influence the physical world. If she doesn’t know this, she shouldn’t be writing this book.
Lastly, she apparently does not distinguish that non-believers cannot fight Satan. They are his slaves. She says, “We too defeat Satan when we reach out and love others” (p107) and that we can choose good works (p100). The context doesn’t make it seem she is talking about only Christians. Can a house stand when it fights against itself? Can Satan drive out Satan? Non-believers cannot fight evil. They can only stifle the consequences and causes of evil in particular situations.
A minor point about the writing: she overuses psychological buzzwords like “nurture,” “dialogue,” “empower,” and “guidance.”
There ought to be far better fare out there than this. Look elsewhere for a good guide to Harry Potter.
There are only a few features of this book that redeemed it from an awful rating: Burkart's exhortation for parents to be involved in the literate lives of their children, Ch. 3's message that fantasy isn't evil or escapist per se, the "Questions to Bridge the Gap"--a means of drawing out youths' responses--are solid, and the opinion that everyday good choices are a better option than the quick fix of magic. But that is all.
Burkart elsewhere makes poor analogies, and misses the point in several areas. Her poor analogies include Aslan on the Stone Table with Lily Potter saving Harry through “love.” This is a fundamental misunderstanding of the difference between agape and motherly love. She claims Christianity, but exhibits a disconnect between her own views and Christian theology. For instance, on p36 she says, “As readers, we rejoice when the Dursleys get what is coming to them.” But not only is their persecution overwrought and unrealistic, but Christians are not rejoice at temporal come-uppance. We are to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. She calls the Harry Potter books a fight between good and evil, but Rowling neither knows nor depicts “good.” It is likened to “using the Force” in Star Wars. Burkart forgets or ignores that writers can have agendas. Burkart only mentions the nature of magic—what should have been the central premise of the book—a single time. There she tries to paint it as nothing but comic relief. In fact, she errs disastrously when she claims magic isn’t real on p47 and 102. Magic is real. The spiritual world exists, and it can materially influence the physical world. If she doesn’t know this, she shouldn’t be writing this book.
Lastly, she apparently does not distinguish that non-believers cannot fight Satan. They are his slaves. She says, “We too defeat Satan when we reach out and love others” (p107) and that we can choose good works (p100). The context doesn’t make it seem she is talking about only Christians. Can a house stand when it fights against itself? Can Satan drive out Satan? Non-believers cannot fight evil. They can only stifle the consequences and causes of evil in particular situations.
A minor point about the writing: she overuses psychological buzzwords like “nurture,” “dialogue,” “empower,” and “guidance.”
There ought to be far better fare out there than this. Look elsewhere for a good guide to Harry Potter.
July 11, 2011
As a fan of the Harry Potter series, I found a parents guide I had not read. Amazingly a lot of the discussion was, as we had used the questioning and sharing. Good reference for a parent wanting to share J.K. Rowling's story with their younger children.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews