Children can and do distinguish between reality and fantasy usually better than adults do, because the world to them is a simple place, big, but simple. They understand imagination, and utilize it to its fullest extent. It is the complexity of the adult world which makes them believe it is hard for children to distinguish, because they have forgotten what imagination feels like, a blissful, yet clearly delineated experience. If this woman is going to be an activist for BANNING the books, it is ridiculus for her not to read them, even members and clergy of the catholic church decided to read, and see The Da Vinci Code so they knew what content it contained. Furthermore, if the books take too long to read, why does everyone finish them within days (sometimes hours) of their release? Let's start burning people at the stake while we're at it.

When I E-Mail you It wont Let me Type So mant Letters

Laura Mallory 4307 Virgil Moon Xing Loganville, GA 30052-8105 (770) 736-2707

Grey, I LOVE your idea! also, i emailed this news story to a friend and this was her reaction: THIS MALLORY PERSON IS AN IDIOT!!!!!!! DOES ANYONE ELSE NOTICE THE SIMILARITY IN SPELLING MALFOY/MALLORY?? i do NOT think its a coincidence!!!!!!!! EVIL! IT IS EEEEEEEVVVVVVVIIIIIIILLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!! *rants on for the next several hours and somehow manages to blame war, global warming, and communism on this idiodic person and all of her ancestors who agree with her*

I Dont Know If This Is My Current address (long Story) But try Jared15@mugglenet.com

ack! ok try this one.............. short_and_sweet_1510@hotmail.com

Instead of "going after Ms. Mallory" why don't you contact the Georgia Department of Education, specifically the Legal Services Department? Georgia Department of Education State Superintendent Kathy Cox Legal Services 2052 Twin Towers East Atlanta, Georgia 30334 Tel (404) 656-4689 FAX (404) 657-8376 http://www.doe.k12.ga.us/doe/legalservices/index.asp Remember, this is a democracy and she has the right to her opinion, however misguided it is; we shouldn't be name calling. The part that is very frustrating is that she is trying to force her opinions on others through the legal process. Book banning has been around for a very long time. The works of Shakespeare, Mark Twain, Margaret Mitchell and others have been scrutinized for decades. Books like “Huckleberry Finn, “Tom Sawyer,� “Macbeth,� “Hamlet� and even “The Story of Dr. Doolittle� have met with opposition and a call for banning. According to one report, even the Bible has been banned in some public schools. http://digital.library.upenn.edu/books/banned-books.html This is just another misguided individual who has taken the words of others to determine her opinion.

If this woman hasnt read the books, where does she get get her base of knowledge to resent the books? Anyway if people keep trying to ban good books there will be nothing left to read.

"It would be difficult for children to distinguish between the fantastical events in the books and real life"..... if she was a good parent then she would know that it's the "parents" job to teach their children fiction for non-fiction and that books are there for your own personal enjoyment......I feel really bad for her kids they aren't going to have any creative abilities at all. And they won't know the joy of reading fiction and forgeting their problems for the moment and enjoy life!! Their going to be little or big balls of stress and find other ways to relieve that stress by hurting someone or getting into trouble.....again I feel bad for them all because mom can't wrap her head around a little fiction!!!

her kids are going to be the same as she is and they will be banning books for their children,books that they havnt even read(cause they are too long), to bad we cant stop this growing epidemic of ignorance

It is so sad that she is trying to ban something so wonderful. I pity her and her kids. She never goth the chance to see all the good they do because there "too long". She does read the Bible, right? My mother is religous, she presses my familey to be religus too, but she does not go aroung banning harry potter for a whole town. In fact she likes the movies. And she never once told me that I would go to Hell. I wish that people would stop trying to ban things they fear. I live in the U.S. too. I feel bad that people like her and that shrink need to blame evrything on Hp. All I have to say is this. "Laura Mallory, I pity you. But I will never try to be mean to you. It is not your fault that you will never get to experance one of the best things that could ever happen to you. Please, though, if you fear it, dont try to ruin it for the people who dont."

I live near that county in Georgia. What bothers me the most about it is that while she has constructed her somewhat detailed reasons on what others have had to say, she herself has a rather stupid reason for not reading the books: "Too long." Now normally, I don't like to give the main stream media a whole lot in the way of getting the truth out or the story in context. Does this mean that as a Christian, she won't read the Bible because it is 'too long?' I am so glad I homeschool my children. When something is censored based on hearsay, that isn't credible. You have to at least have an understanding of what you are protesting against. And did she really say that about all the books or just OOP and GOF?

Tomorrow is my Birthday:) I know that you night think that this is off topic but it really is loosely based on the news. This lady is from Georgia, and I'm from Georgia (I know that every one seems to be from Georgia now). OK and the news above this is the Queen's Birthday Party so... I think it really is more than appropriate for me to talk about how thrilled I am:)

Happy b-day Gray. Cricket, you have a good point. I have no clue if it is just for ootp or gof. Sadly I deal with people like her in school. Youre kids should feel glad to be home schooled. And you also have another point. Before you attempt to ban something you need to FULLY know what its about.

As an educator, the actions of Laura Mallory are deeply disturbing. In today's society of computers and television, we should be happy that our children are still reading books. Parents and teachers should do everything in their power to encourage children to read -- we should not be banning books from schools and libraries. Even more so, it is the responsibility of parents and teachers to educate young readers about fiction and reality. Most children are intelligent enough to realize that although they may feel as if Harry Potter is a real person, he is a character created by a wonderful writer. If Ms. Mallory's children are not able to realize this, I suggest that it is a defect in her parenting skills...not a crisis in which our society should start censoring books.

I feel so sorry for her children. Not only is this terribly embarassing, but they are going to grow up with a warped sense of what is good and evil. There are so many more worthwhile things to fight for. I wonder how much her legal fees are costing her, and how many starving children that money could have fed?

Check out this link - the 100 most challenged books between 1990 - 2000. http://www.ala.org/ala/oif/bannedbooksweek/bbwlinks/100mostfrequently.htm

What a stinking women ''Too long'' book, I haven't read them, but I know that they are terrible books, it makes the children bad....... OK I don't speak english very much (I'm from Estonia) But this women is just one sucker

Gosh, I wish that I could find some Bubotuber Pus to send to her at 4307 Virgin Moon Crossing, Loganville, GA 30052. I couldn't think of a nicer person than Laura Mallory to receive some.

@redwind_40- that's crazy about that list of challenged books. Most of those were required reading when I was in grade school and high school. and i went to catholic school from K-8th grad. It's simply amazing the things that people find offensive these days. My freshman year Bio book was banned in California because it taught evolution. It's kind of scary to think that we might be closer to Ray Bradbury's ideas from Farehenheit 451.

mabey if this women would pull her head out of her butt she could acutally read one of the books and see she was wrong the whole time. she says theres to many pages well mabey the court should look at that if she cant even read a book why should she be able to appeal it. SOMEONE PLEASE GET THIS POOR WOMEN A LIFE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I signed up as a Mugglenet user just so I could post a comment about this idiot. First, I want to say that I'm a Christian, and I LOVE the Harry Potter series. Both books and movies. I consider myself a huge fan. It never ceases to amaze me how far people will go to make themselves feel important. This woman is absolutely pathetic, and I kind of feel a little sorry for her. I especially feel sorry for her children (not only for being denied the chance to read Harry Potter, but for having to be raised by such an ignorant mother). I don't want to sound mean or anything, but this woman is a clear example of a person who can't "conjure" an original thought. In fact, I would expect it would be pure magic if she ever started thinking for herself. I mean, her accusations about the books' "evil themes" are obviously not founded on her own intellectual evaluations - she hasn't even read the books! I just wish that people like her would take a long hard look in the mirror and try to find themselves, rather than letting everyone else tell them who they are and what to believe in. I pray that she does find herself and that she realizes what a puppet she has been.

Hi all! I am a missionary in Europe and I cannot believe that these people would protest these great books. It seems to be a contradiction in her belief in the Bible and these books. One, the Bible uses allegory in many ways to explain problems in culture, and the Potter books do the same with racism. It seems to me that this lady needs to spend more time feeding the hungry, and reading for that matter. So, please do not think that she represents Christianity. She doesn't! I love these books, my wife loves these books, and my childern do as well. I know many Christians that love to read them. Don't pay attention to the one bad seed amongst us who are on a morality holocaust.

Shes free to believe that the books might have bad influence on her kids, and as she does , she can tell her kids not to read them but how does she have an opinion like that when she hasnt even read them?! But she even trying to ban the books from the library and prevent other kids from reading them! sorry for my selling mistakes,i just wanted to express my opinion on the matter because i used to believe that the books were silly,sci-fi stories but as soon as ive read one (my first was HP&The goblet of fire) i became a fan and i love the magic that surround everyday events, if you know what i mean.

Since I live in Gwinnett County, I just took the time to write to the Georgia Department of Education about my personal feelings regarding this 'nutter.' I did not name call and wrote what I thought was an intelligent letter supporting JK and Harry Potter. Okay HP fans, drop a line to the Georgia Department of Education and voice your support. We need to be nice, so they don't think we are as crazy as she is. www.doe.k12.ga.us Email all your friends and get them to write and let's do it for HaRRy and JK!!

well, i believe that this woman is clearly insane. criticizing a book without even reading it...typical. i mean, honestly, we have gone through this with the whole "Hermionie is violent and evil and makes girls insane" theory. the "psyco"ligist had'nt even read the books either. now, this woman has every right to ban her own kids from the books, theres nothing we can do to stop that. But these people who just conjure up a huge commotion/storm/petition/protest/whatever about somthing they havent even read or even know everything about.... its just idiotic. why cant these people get a grip on themselves? for all they know the books could just be about harry and co. leaping through a field of daisies. if you agree press 9999......

I think it's a bad idea to keep good litereture away from schools! The Harry Potter books are the best books ever written! Plus, she said that kids were to young to read them, but I know two nine year olds who read them when the were eight!

Correction: She does'nt read the books because there to long,but she's saying all this stuff! She's Mental! See above and you'll see they are not too long!

"for those of us who are a little older, does this remind you of farenheit 451? censorship?" Dibs on Philosopher's Stone. No WAY am I memorizing Order of the Phoenix.

Why do you have to be older to have read Farenheit 451? But thank you for that comment AnyaMarcos... Seems some people really want the US to become something between 1984 by G. Orwell, Brave New World by A. Huxley and Fahrenheit 451 by R. Bradbury...BTW... all books that really ought to be read by more people...

I am a christain and I think the Harry Potter books are great! Read The Books Before You Critizize it!

susanova- I kinda doubt she would actually read the Bible, it's too old-fashioned for an advanced thinker who knows everything without any help from any 2000 BC writers (who were much smarter and helped by God than her!)! I know people who don't like Harry Potter, but they have their reasons for not and I respect that. This woman- I mean, the first three books are barely 300 pages each! I don't like calling people names, but this one deserves it- idiot!

Jiboo: I know - many of the books were on my required high school reading list too and other books I read as a kid and LOVED them. Ironically, reading further on the site, parents file more complaints about books than any other group. Sad!

Can we please refrain from stating opinions as if they were facts (ie: The Bible is inspired and all about love)... We've had this before here... Just a friendly request...

Okay...No offense, but....This lady is a stupid homeless dumb idiot bum that needs to go to friggin wawa, buy a friggin life, and get the hell out of annoying all the people that do like HP's hair!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My goodness doesn't she know how to keep her opinions to herself???? Goodness, why can't she leave all the people who do like HP alone??? It's her opinion and HP

I dont understand how any person can take her seriously when she judges something she knows nothing about. I mean, come on, "evil themes, witchcraft, demonic activity, murder, evil blood sacrifice, spells." Yeah, minor themes of the book, the major plot is good triumphing over evil. And they're too long?!?!?! OMG, has she ever picked up a book thats more than 250 pages?!?!?! Ive read all of the books like 3 or 4 times, and the first one ive read 5 times. She needs to pick up the book and crack the cover before she goes making up some stupid crap like what shes doing.

I was brought up christian and I LOVE harry Potter. those kind of people are really embassing.

999999

All I can say is because of The Harry Potter series, kids and adults both love to read. Without the Harry Potter series, kids and adults both would hate to read.

she's just angry cause' she's ugly. :)

ty jared ~=) also, i am also a christain, and i LOVE the hp books. personaly i cant find anything wrong with them. ~=)

Okay, I sent an email, figured I would also let ya'll read it. I hope it sounded professional enough, and that it was not too long so they wont have any issues reading it. ***** To Whom It May Concern: First, I would like to thank you for taking the time to read this email, and for your serious consideration prior to making a decision in regard to the suggested ban of certain children’s literature from the school district libraries. I reside in the Dallas Fort Worth area in Texas, and have no personal involvement in your school district. Some may feel that individuals outside your state should have no say in what happens in your schools and I can understand their feelings. The freedom of speech, both verbal and written, is a privilege denied in many places in the world, and saying or reading something that the government or moral majority does not agree with can result in imprisonment and death. The people of this great nation are luckier than that. It is possible to disagree with a neighbor, or to express an unpopular opinion, without fear of retaliation. In the same manner, there are so many books that are available in the United States that cannot be found in other countries, and it is a shame to ban any of those books because some parents find the subject matter inappropriate. It is not the job of the schools to police what all children may or may not read based on some peoples objections, as long as the subject is age appropriate. Instead, it should be the parents that browse through the reading selection chosen by their children and decide if that is what they want in their home. If a parent has an objection to a book, then that parent must explain to his or her own child that the book is not a good idea. The parent should not be able to decide what the other parents’ children may or may not read. Children have a very good idea of what is real or not based on what they are taught by the adults in their life, just like th...

continued*** that is how they learn what is wrong and right. By banning the Harry Potter books, children will learn that anyone who disagrees with important adults is wrong and that they alone are right. By leaving the Harry Potter books in schools, children will learn diversity and to accept others, even those who do not agree with them. This is a lesson that may be taught not only by the outcome of this appeal, but one that is mentioned so many times within the series itself. Harry Potter fans, myself included, hope that the Georgia Department of Education will consider the rights of all students when making the decision on Ms. Mallory’s appeal, and that this decision will not be one that sets individual rights back by several decades. Thank you for your time. Sincerely, Lubna Dovel Bedford, Texas

what a bitch...! ... AGHH! I hate people like that with a passion!!

Has anyone looked into the idea of Mugglenet (the staff) sending a letter (to the the school board)? If any members of Mugglenet staff see this post, please consider it. There could even be a system where people who are in a school district where this sort of thing is happening could request to have Mugglenet send a letter. 695 comments...that has to be a record or something

I just noticed something...we keep mentioning this woman's "Christianity", but nowhere in the article does it talk about the woman's religion (unless there's another article). By the way, I wonder if Ben has already written his "Give Me A Butterbear"? To bad he already did one on this sort of thing...

"....it would be difficult for children to distinguish between the fantastical events in the books and real life...." Oh yes I run around with my wand trying to jinx things every day. Delusional woman.

Can anyone be any thicker? Oh yeah, the best she can do is say its "too long". She obviously has too much time on her hands and can't even come up with good excuses. I feel sorry for anyone that knows such a poor woman.

oh yeah, any kid on this planet who can not differentiate between fantasy and real life is an idiot.