Buried in Potter's Field? A Catholic Homeschooling Father Reads the Harry Potter Series

Just for informational purposes, Hermione does not turn into a rule-flouting hoyden. She can be a touch sanctimonious at times, but continues being the voice of caution for Harry and Ron. I don’t think Harry got off Scot Free in PS - he almost died after all and he did forestall Voldemort’s rise.

Frankly, I’d be thrilled if wingardium leviosa actually worked - it would make sweeping under the bed much easier!

But there's plenty of text out there that kids can read that actually builds up their characters rather than making them question their Christian values. My purpose in reading the HP series is to find out which of those things it does.
Some kind person a month or two back (maybe it was you) provided a link to the many boy's adventure stories of G. A. Henty. Like you I've not read an HP story, but marvel at the way the young heroes in the Henty books use wit and imagination to overcome obstacles; no magic except a fellow's determination.

Some kind person a month or two back (maybe it was you) provided a link to the many boy's adventure stories of G. A. Henty. Like you I've not read an HP story, but marvel at the way the young heroes in the Henty books use wit and imagination to overcome obstacles; no magic except a fellow's determination.

My understanding is that Henty is pretty anti-Catholic. I'd have to read up on that, though.

My understanding is that Henty is pretty anti-Catholic. I'd have to read up on that, though.

The only thing I've found is from Keep It Catholic: (http://members.tripod.com/catholic_homeschool/pit2.html)

Titles by G.A. Henty - This author is known for his works of historical fiction, of which many are popular with homeschoolers who like the "living books" approach. Catholic parents will find especially offensive one of Henty's works, St. Bartholomew's Eve - A Tale of the Huguenot Wars. Henty's version favors the Huguenots, who were the perpetrators of mass homicides of Catholic men, women and children. In truth, the subsequent retaliation against the Huguenots - another mass riot - was instigated by the Medici's and unfortunately blamed on a truly Catholic king. The hero of the story is the young lad Philip Fletcher, born in England but with French blood in his veins. Young Phillip sides with the Protestants, and Catholics are made to look entirely in the wrong.

Well, there it is; Catholics are made to look entirely in the wrong. That's one book out of 121, and the site mentions another Henty book somehow tainted which has nothing anti-Catholic whatsoever (For the Temple, read two weeks ago). You're busy with the HP books, so I hope to not distract you from that. I'm anxious to have your report.

Well, there it is; Catholics are made to look entirely in the wrong. That's one book out of 121, and the site mentions another Henty book somehow tainted which has nothing anti-Catholic whatsoever (For the Temple, read two weeks ago). You're busy with the HP books, so I hope to not distract you from that. I'm anxious to have your report.

LOL. I'll move on to the Henty books after I'm done with the HP ones. 121? No problem...

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