First of all, the Harry Potter books are very interesting. They have made children read books with substance; not the short, shallow books that no one gives a second thought about banning. The books have a good message as well. The whole idea of the books is really that bravery can get you farther than good grades or popularity.

The books have a lot of good lessons in them as well. In Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, Harry has to stand up to the evil wizard, Voldemort, who could kill Harry with two words. In Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Harry must decide whether to risk his life for a girl who is most likely dead or stay in the safety of his school. Harry chooses the former and comes face to face with the deadly Basilisk, a giant snake. He destroys the monster and saves the girl’s life. In Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Harry again finds himself at the mercy of Lord Voldemort. Harry puts his life in jeopardy by taking the body of a fellow student with him as he escapes from the Dark wizard.

The series teaches the importance of friendship too. In the first book, Harry chooses to befriend a poor but kind boy instead of a rich snobby boy. Harry also rescues his best friend’s sister in the second book. He knew it would be dangerous, but Harry tries and succeeds, anyway.

Harry sticks by his friend, Hagrid, a half-giant, throughout the entire series. Most of the wizards don’t accept Hagrid because of his startling appearance and the fact that giants are often stereotyped as being mean, vicious, and bloodthirsty. But Harry can see past Hagrid’s outward looks and can see his kind spirit.

But the books really place an emphasis on love. Harry’s mother, because she loved him, died to save Harry. This is a love so powerful even the Dark Lord cannot comprehend it. “If there is one thing Voldemort cannot understand, it is love,” Harry’s headmaster tells him. This part in the book can be compared to John 15:13: “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” Harry’s mother showed that her love for her son was more powerful than the worst thing an evil person could do.

In the third book, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry must travel back in time to save his someone’s life. This is dangerous, and if Harry is caught, the consequences could be disastrous. Harry tries anyway and saves his godfather from a terrible punishment for a crime he didn’t commit.

And finally, the books are full of examples of forgiveness. Albus Dumbledore, the headmaster of Harry’s school, forgives Hagrid for disobeying the rules. Dumbledore keeps Hagrid as gamekeeper, and the truth comes out that Hagrid was punished unjustly. Harry forgives his friend Ron for acting jealously towards Harry’s success. Ron in turn forgives Harry for acting selfishly around him. Hermione, Harry’s other good friend, forgives Harry and Ron for being mean to her.

And Harry, in the third book, lets the man who betrayed his parents live. Harry doesn’t let his father’s friend become killers; Harry instead chooses to send the betrayer to the wizard prison.

Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.” If the qualities of being brave, loyal in friendship, accepting, loving, and forgiving are not noble, pure, lovely, and everything else mentioned in Philippians, I don’t know what are. These books promote being a better person, not practicing witchcraft.

In the second book the statement is made, “It is our choices… that show us what we really are, far more than our abilities.” My choice is to write on this subject not only for enjoyment but also for the hope that someone else will read the series and become a better person because of it.

(This is a theme I wrote in seventh grade. I go to a private school, which is very close minded when it comes to the subject of witchcraft. I have a really hard English teacher and he gave it a 99 for content, which really never happens. He is also the pastor of the church.)

Liz