Why The Harry Potter Books Should Be Read In Schools

"Imagination is not only the uniquely human capacity to envision that which is not, and therefore the fount of all invention and innovation. In its arguably most transformative and revelatory capacity, it is the power to that enables us to empathize with humans whose experiences we have never shared" -JK Rowling

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Harry Potter and the magic that author JK Rowling has bestowed upon the world has been influencing the minds of children, teenagers and adults for nearly 18 years now (Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was published June 1997), and it’s as popular now as it’s ever been. Possibly even more due to all the new, avid young readers discovering the rich novels every day. And what with another movie in the works (Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them) and a new bibliography (JK Rowling: A Bibliography 1997-2013) being released in the U.S. April 2015, it appears the wizarding world will be around for many more years to come.

There’s certainly no denying it’s popularity: the books having sold well over 500 million copies worldwide, the films having grossed $8 billion at the box office and close to $4 billion in home video revenue, a theme park (The Wizarding World of Harry Potter) part of the Universal Orlando Resort in Orlando, Florida and a sister park opening in Universal’s Los Angeles, California location 2016, endless amounts of tied-in merchandise, Pottermore, an interactive website for users to discover more about the wizarding world, and the ever-growing community of Harry Potter fandom. All of this along with the nonprofit organization, The Harry Potter Alliance, which aims to fight against social injustices around the world. The Harry Potter universe ceases to have an end. Which no one is complaining about.

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Although some might consider the Harry Potter books to be fantasy novels for young adults, this writer can confidently admit the impact the books have had on his life well into his adult years. Regretting not having read them at a younger age. Which brings to mind the question, why aren’t kids reading these books in schools as part of their curriculum? Starting in 6th grade and continuing on through all 7 books until 12th grade, senior year. Not that the books need any help. But that’s not the point. Introducing the Harry Potter books to all children, not just those who are already reading them, in a school setting, at an appropriate age (11 or so makes sense as that is the age Harry is when he begins at Hogwarts), would present to kids the themes of the books and also create a platform for kids to discuss those themes with each other, with their teachers, and with their parents. Throughout all 7 books, Rowling tackles issues (some more obvious than others) that are prevalent in adolescence and carry over into adulthood.

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Some of the major themes in the books are death, love, choice, acceptance…each consisting of a deeper meaning. And each not without it’s own struggle. And as you begin to dig deeper into the depths of what is actually taking place, Harry Potter is not just about a boy wizard fighting the forces of darkness. That is simply the surface of it all. The political and social subtexts buried within each book presents readers with an eye-opening experience, not just into the characters, but with themselves. Harry’s struggle with normality, Hermione’s battle against oppression, Ron’s fear of rejection…all these things and more are exactly what children and teenagers face on a daily basis. And none of it magically goes away once you graduate high school. Or Hogwarts.

Recognizing that these characters are facing the same problems as you, imperfect characters in an imperfect world, who aren’t always thinking positively, who aren’t always full of hope, relinquishes comfort in young minds. Constant optimism is not realistic. People become scared, angry and depressed. And that’s okay. What’s important to draw from the Harry Potter books is the distinction between Harry, Hermione and Ron’s ability to overcome adversity and their own internal struggles. As opposed to Lord Voldemort, who gives into them. There are instances when the reader ALMOST feels for the notorious villain of the story, as you venture back into memories long gone, revealing his family’s dark, strange and mysterious past. But what with his fear of death and relentless efforts in obtaining greatness and immortality, Lord Voldemort’s weakness is revealed by those unafraid of death and surrounded by love.

Harry also has a dark and disturbing past, established early on, and shares similarities in both personality and potential so closely related to Voldemort, it’s impossible to believe they are merely coincidental. Which we later find out, are not. But regardless, this sets forth the possibility that Harry could have just as easily gone off the deep end. But unlike his adversary, Harry fights for what he believes to be good and just. Not what is easy. And not what is right for him. And as it was so eloquently stated by Dumbledore in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, “It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.” If that’s not a life lesson to be taught to kids, then I don’t know what is. Especially in today’s society where going viral on social media rules and someone’s looks and whether or not they can twerk are considered achievements in advancing one through life.

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Quite frankly, the Harry Potter books are chalk full of these sorts of lessons! More so than even the movies. The magic and wonder merely act as it’s backbone. The movies, while entertaining, prove less effective in providing audiences with the nitty-gritty realities presented in the books. We’re talking racism, sexism, genderism, classism, agism, bigotry, survival, sexuality, power and the abuse of that power, education vs indoctrination, war, activism, abandonment, amnesty rights…the list truly goes on. While that may sound like a lot to throw at a bunch of youngsters, the books do not read like that. Whimsical? Yes! Absolutely. Which helps in maintaining the reader’s interest. But there is a sophistication and subtlety in Rowling’s writing that doesn’t make the reader feel like they are being overwhelmed with social and political concepts. It is through characterization and relationships upon which these themes manifest.

No one should be scared or uncomfortable with sharing these ideas with their children either. On the contrary, it should be embraced. Life experience is certainly key in the development of any young person, but having confidence and self-acceptance growing up and then facing an occasionally woeful world is far better than arriving to it naive. And it may sound unbelievable, but the Harry Potter books can do just that. This article does not need proof of that because it surrounds us. It’s in the back of our minds every day, reminding us that if Harry, Hermione and Ron can do it, we can do it. Because they are just like us. Magic has nothing to do with it. There will always be external forces at work. It’s through friendship and bravery, being able to let go of control, believing in yourself, and simply trying that defines our path in life. My generation was the first to actually grow up with the books, as they were being written. With the movies, as they were being filmed. And with the stars of the films, whom are continuing on a legacy far bigger than just the parts they played.

Emma Watson epitomizes everything Hermione was in the books. And she is but one example, for Hermione is every woman (cue Whitney Houston song).

youtube.com / Via youtube.com

And Hermione is every little girl who is being told she can’t do something because she is a girl. Who’s being told she can’t be smart. Who’s being told she doesn’t deserve the same things. Who’s being told that it’s bad to be different and unique. That it’s a waste of time to stand up for what you believe in, even when your friends think it’s silly. That she can’t possibly be a woman of color for no real good reason at all. But you know what Hermione would say to that? She’d say I’m a girl born from Muggle (non-magical) parents who is excelling in a magical world surrounded by those with pure-magic blood. And I can just as easily be a girl of any race excelling in a world made up of people of many races.

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If you think this is all pretty much based on my personal opinion, and my personal experience with the books, then you’d be right. But my experience is but a small fraction of how many others out there have had their lives touched by these phenomenal books. Now I don’t know what the legalities are behind doing something like this. Nor do I know what qualifies or disqualifies a book from being read in a class setting. But it wouldn’t be that difficult to induct these books into school systems for all kids to read. All it takes is some dedication, persistence and consistency. Easier said than done, right? Lots of children love to read. Correction, lots of children STILL love to read. And when you give a kid a well-written book, that doesn’t undermine their intelligence, that can be fun AND full of enlightenment, I promise you, KIDS WON’T GET BORED OF THESE BOOKS. They’ll probably read the whole rest of the series before they even enter high school. It boggles the mind that anyone would consider banning these books!

I know it’ll never happen. I mean, maybe I’m kidding myself here. Books about wizards using magic? Probably doesn’t sound like something we should be teaching kids about in comparison to the array of wonderful literature already being taught. But like I said above, the magic and wizardry of the books are but one layer (and as a side note, completely non-religious with zero resemblance to occultism. The books do not promote any particular religion nor do they bash any. If anything, they embrace the endless possibilities of spirituality and faith. Kids will not start worshipping Satan if they read Harry Potter).

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It’s an ongoing series with characters and stories kids can come back to each year. It wouldn’t be just another book. It would be like greeting an old friend. Do we really need as much Shakespeare as there is? I have nothing against Shakespeare, and in fact, enjoy his plays very much. My favorite being Macbeth. But after such a long time, and with new and interesting books being written every day…don’t you think it’s time to change it up. I mean it’s 2015 ya’ll. The same can be said for any book that is currently part of a school syllabus.

If you think back to all the books you had to read in high school, middle school and even elementary school, what can you learn from one of those books that you can’t learn from a Harry Potter book?

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And if that’s not enough to convince you, then maybe these gifs will…

Why do you think the Harry Potter books should be read in schools?!