UNT professor: New Harry Potter book will continue inspiring reading, discussion between adults and children

As sales for the new book Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix top 1 million in pre-orders for the June 21 release, it's pretty obvious that the series has a huge impact on modern culture.

But unlike most of its predecessors in children's literature, the Harry Potter series has inspired a new level of reading and conversation between children and adults, according to Barbara Stein Martin, professor of library and information sciences.

"Without a doubt, the Harry Potter books have inspired kids to read more," she says. "But what's remarkable is that it's attracted positive adult attention for children's literature and shown that children's literature can be viable and worthy reading."

"The Harry Potter series is a phenomenon in that it competes in sales with adult books," Martin adds.

While Martin lists numerous well-known and popular authors like C.S. Lewis and Lloyd Alexander who've used themes and ideas similar to J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series, she says they have not enjoyed the same success.

The main character of the Harry Potter books is orphan Harry Potter, who learns that he is a wizard. Harry is invited to go to Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where many of his adventures take place.

"A common theme in children's books is that the kids get to be independent and go off on adventures and learn adult skills," Martin says. "Using the poor orphan in boarding schools is a classic tool — it offers the independence children desire and the security and rules provided by an organized structure."

Martin believes that a key part of the books' appeal to older readers is that the characters continue to grow up and deal with very real issues as the series progresses.

"In a lot of children's series, the children stay young forever," Martin says. "But in the Potter series, with each book the characters grow up, explore their surroundings and prove themselves as worthy people — that's something that appeals to all of us."

Martin believes the series will continue to shine and become a classic staple of children's literature

And, she says, the Potter books and movies can encourage children to begin a lifelong habit of reading. Martin says Harry Potter fans might also be interested in reading books written by such fantasy and science fiction authors as Alexander, Lewis, Ursula LeGuin, Philip Pullman, Tamora Pierce, Garth Nix and Anne McCaffrey.

BY RUFUS COLEMAN rcoleman@unt.edu

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