A developmental psychologist explains how she uses Harry Potter books to make child development more relatable to first-year college students, many of whom grew up on the wildly popular books.
We may think of Harry Potter as escapist delight, but J.K. Rowling’s books also contain an extended theme that has more in common with King Lear than most English professors might care to admit.
The twentieth anniversary celebrations of the highest-selling book series of all time are now coming to a close. 2017 has been a milestone year for Harry Potter fans in their twenties and thirties, who…
When picking books to read this summer, reach out for the unknown. Here are five expert recommendations for fiction, nonfiction, and poetry, for which deserved attention is just starting to shine.
Trisha Tucker, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences
As Harry Potter turns 20, a scholar says protesters who try to censor books do not trust young readers to discern the difference between fantasy and reality. But why?
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, the first in the phenomenally successful series, turns 20 this month. Despite criticism of their status as ‘literature’, the books remain a magical experience for children.
Experts once thought that young adult literature was doomed. Now it’s got some of the fastest-growing sales in publishing. What changed? Social media might be the key.
JK Rowling should have stated clearly in her books the nature of the characters rather than doing so after their publication through, for example, media interviews.
JK Rowling has come under fire for signing an open letter opposing a cultural boycott of Israel. The form of the complaints, and Rowling’s response, tell us much about the author-fan relationship.
Baseless claims about the damage done to kids’ development create needless panic. And they distract from legitimate, evidence-based concerns with which parents need to engage.