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MAY 12, 2006 at 3:52 AM
Posted by CHEESER
Source: Gwinnett Daily Post via Yahoo! News
A challenge to remove all of JK Rowling's Harry Potter books from the library shelves of Gwinnett Public Schools in Georgia has failed
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The school board there voted Thursday to keep the books available. It was the final action for a petition that began in November and culminated at an April clash in which nearly 100 people attended to voice their opinions.
Laura Mallory, a parent of three children at an elementary school in the district, argued that the books encouraged witchcraft and demonic activity. It was later revealed that she had never read the books. School board officials said the process for determining the series' suitability was unbiased, and they sought mainly to decide if the books were obscene or not.
Still, removing the books would have opened the school system to "ridicule by many of its citizens as well as citizens of the nation," Su Ellen Bray told the Gwinnett Daily Post.
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Prefect
Points: 392
A_Mom_Like_Molly says:
YES!! I have never been happier to read about Harry in the news. The thought that this woman might actually get the books removed scared me beyond all comprehension. Thank goodness for the rest of the population who know the difference between reality and fantasy!
Posted May 12, 2006 at 4:36 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 427
Draco Malfoy_Lover says:
Good they should not remove ANY Harry Potter books in ANY SCHOOL!!!!!! That is just so horrible and im happy that they said to keep the books in there!!!
Posted May 12, 2006 at 4:46 PM EST
Student
Points: 271
Moyra says:
Laura Mallory, a parent of three children at an elementary school in the district, argued that the books encouraged witchcraft and demonic activity. It was later revealed that she had never read the books.how could she say something like that if she hasnt read the books!!!!! *tut tut tut*
Posted May 12, 2006 at 4:48 PM EST
Witch
Points: 695
LunaLove#1 says:
I'm glad the school board decided not to cave in to the demands of the 'religiously paranoid.' It's ridiculous. Harry Potter is a children's book. It also encourages kids to read.
Posted May 12, 2006 at 5:02 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2419
Gwenyth says:
She has never even read the books!?!?
The nerve of some people!! Geez!!
Posted May 12, 2006 at 5:13 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 571
Sibyll Trelawney says:
Thats terrible! that lady should be like arrested! I mean come on thats like saying ughh i dont like chocolate but ive never eaten it! REDICULOUS
Posted May 12, 2006 at 5:23 PM EST
Student
Points: 254
Kurben rules your world!! says:
Thabk god for.. that..cus they are like bloody brillant..
you cant ban them...cod no!!!!
Posted May 12, 2006 at 5:25 PM EST
Witch
Points: 885
Prof. Weasle says:
I think it is a shame that someone would dare to have something that they haven't read for themself banned from a library. Just because she is against the books (for personal religious reasons) does not mean that she should limit the ability of others to read the books. Libraries should have all sorts of books available so that people can have access to as much information as possible. Banning books accomplishes nothing. I am glad the school board decided to act against censorship in this case, not just because it is HP books, but because I think censorship is wrong.
If you don't like something, don't check it out of the library!
Posted May 12, 2006 at 5:26 PM EST
Witch
Points: 646
~!*Gryffindor Rules*!~ says:
They must really be upsesed with Harry Potter to do that!
Posted May 12, 2006 at 5:32 PM EST
Ravenclaw Mastermind
Points: 9743
Isilwen Ciryatan says:
Good to hear HP didn't get banned from that school's library!
I would have thought by now, people would just give the Harry-is-bad-for-kids a rest. Honestly, a vast more people love reading them than banning them (and I guess for good reason too). Agh, some people just have too much time on their hands!
Posted May 12, 2006 at 5:35 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1477
lilmisscrookshanks says:
What a quack! The worst thing a kid's gonna do after reading HP is accidentally poke someone in the eye with a stick wand! And she didn't even read them?! Pfft!
Posted May 12, 2006 at 5:36 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1064
Ginny511 says:
Of course it would everyone loves Harry Potter and you know what they souldn't even be thinking of banning it the books are wonderful!!
Posted May 12, 2006 at 5:49 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1647
Hermione's younger sister says:
How stupid! Why would you ban Harry Potter books? There is no good reason to at all. I am glad that they ended up staying on the shelves. Harry Potter books are some of the best books that I have ever read, and they encourage kids to read.
Posted May 12, 2006 at 5:53 PM EST
Auror
Points: 2079
kermittounette says:
It was later revealed that she had never read the books.
Did she never tried? Oh my god... she was talking about what all that time? I can't believe!!
Posted May 12, 2006 at 6:00 PM EST
Witch
Points: 578
*avada_sirius* says:
Well thats good! I respect her opinions but she took it to harshly. I never used to read. I hated it. But when a friend persuaded me to read them.....I couldnt stop. I went on to other books and other books. Why she would do this just plain bothers me. People know the difference between fiction and reality. If it incourages young kids to read I see no need for them to be banned.
Posted May 12, 2006 at 6:00 PM EST
Squib
Points: 157
KPotter says:
They need to stop doing this if they think that magical stuff like harry potter is so bad i want to see them take out all the disney books and movies!!!!People need to stop complaining because they should be happy that their kid wants to read a book!!!!People just need to seriously stop!!!!!!!
Posted May 12, 2006 at 6:04 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1675
lissir10 says:
How could they even think of removing the books from thier librarys. The HP books are good they got me into reading so if they were smart and wanted kids to read more keep them in the library!!! I'm happy they did!
Posted May 12, 2006 at 6:12 PM EST
Witch
Points: 894
darkside rocker says:
Thank goodness it did not pass.
Posted May 12, 2006 at 6:14 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1375
'Arry + Hermy says:
I am happy that Harry Potter is allowed in that school! Why couldn't it be? Can't parent understand the different between magic and reality??
Posted May 12, 2006 at 6:16 PM EST
Student
Points: 221
flrt_311 says:
GOOD! They should be available to anyone who wants them. It is a free country and the people who are allowed to read them and want to read them should have access to them. Even if they're not allowed and want to read them. An imagination is not something that parents have the right to take away. I don't care what your religion is.
Posted May 12, 2006 at 6:20 PM EST
Student
Points: 221
flrt_311 says:
'Arry + Hermy, Unfotunately, I don't think they can. The way I see it, they didn't teach their children well enough to know that it's not real if they're afraid that they will go and try it themselves.
Posted May 12, 2006 at 6:22 PM EST
Student
Points: 297
Hermione_Harry_Luna says:
OH MY GOD!!!!!.... how could someone even thing of doind such a thing!!!... That lady Laura Mallory didn't even read the books and she judged the books like that... I wish I was there so I could slap her!!!! If she was my mom I would be so sad... that makes me so mad!!!!!!!!
Posted May 12, 2006 at 6:26 PM EST
Points: 2731
Tri Wizard Champion says:
Yay! even though i dont go to any school near there...i know what it feels like to be deprived of reading harry potter sigh. But whats everybody got against it? they should read it is what i say...
TWC
Posted May 12, 2006 at 6:33 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1041
*Peeves12 says:
I'm glad they allowed the books in their library! That Laura Mallory woman is just silly (I won't use the word I would like to use)! Besides, the books do not "encourage witchcraft". They happen to fall under a category called FANTASY! I'd rather read something interesting like Harry Potter instead of a non-fiction book anyway.
Posted May 12, 2006 at 6:33 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 357
RonlovesHermioneforever says:
That's amazing, why would they want to get rid of the HP books. Well, I'm glad it was overturned. Thanks to everyone at HPANA for wishing me a happy birthday! :)
Posted May 12, 2006 at 6:33 PM EST
Witch
Points: 605
berries&cream says:
Even in MY library they have Harry Potter books! That's an outrage!
Posted May 12, 2006 at 6:37 PM EST
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