Harry Potter Meets Mrs. Mallory

© D. Gary D. Lemmons, April 16, 2006

Once again, one of our fellow citizens has come forward to assert what is and what is not appropriate reading material to be housed in the libraries of our public schools.  Laura Mallory, a parent of three children at J. C. McGill Elementary School, has approached the Gwinnett County Board of Education with a request that the Harry Potter series be removed from the media centers in the Gwinnett County School System.  While admitting that she has not read any of the books in their entirety, Mallory feels that the theme of the Harry Potter books does not agree with her religious values.

"We need for our children to read things that teach good morals,” stated Mallory.   “Harry Potter lies, cheats and steals, and there is no accountability.  There are better things for our children to be reading."

Mallory went on to reflect that the series glorifies witchcraft. 

“There are so many problems facing our children today --- drugs, alcohol, violence, and the growth of the occult, too,” alleged Mallory.  “These books are helping to mainstream witchcraft.  These books are dangerous and harmful to our children.”

Critics of Mrs. Mallory have charged her with failing to recognize just how much interest in reading the Harry Potter series has stirred in a significant number of children.  Many dismiss her stand as the railings of a religious zealot.  Mrs. Mallory has been identified as either being or having been a missionary.

In answer to her critics, I would point out that there might be some pornographic magazine literature and photographs that would inspire the participation in reading and “art appreciation” by teenage boys, but we wouldn’t want that material in the public schools, I don’t think!

As to Mrs. Mallory’s views, I do have some problems.

First, I am always suspect of someone who wants to ban a book after having read only parts of it.  By her own admission, Mrs. Mallory has only read selected portions of the Harry Potter series.  One could, by reading only selected portions out of context, find that THE HOLY BIBLE contains material inappropriate to children (i.e., violence, alcohol use, sex, crime, lying, and immorality).  Books, like Tom Sawyer, Huckleberry Finn, The Catcher in the Rye, God’s Little Acre, Tobacco Road, Tender Is the Night, and The Temple of Gold, all contain themes and elements that could be controversial. 

Most people who have read the Harry Potter books, written by British author, J. K. Rowling, view them works of fantasy.  Further, some argue that the works center on the issue of good verses evil and the eventual triumph of the former over the latter.

Second, I am opposed to any one parent imposing her or his views upon the community.

There is no argument that Mrs. Mallory has the exclusive right to determine what books her children read until such time as they arrive at adulthood.  Further, in my judgment, her wishes extend to the environment of the school and school officials should make every effort to see that the Mallory children read nothing at school that is not on Mrs. Mallory’s approved list.

Finally, Mrs. Mallory is fully within her rights to educate, on her time and at her expense, the parents of other children in the school as to her perceived dangers of the Harry Potter books.  Further, she has a right to bring her concerns to the parents via all of the public forums (newspapers, school board meetings, school council meetings, PTA/PTO meetings, etc).  She should be allowed to bring this subject up at these various events and to express her position within the usual and customary time limits just as any other parent would be allowed to speak upon any topic appropriate to these venues.  However, for Mrs. Mallory to try to impose her standards upon the other parents via a ban by the school board of the Harry Potter series is, in my judgment, inappropriate and her request should be rejected.