Harry Potter Programs November 20 & 23

[pegkerr]

It occurs to me with some chagrin that I really should have said something early about the appearance I'm going to be making tomorrow at the University of Minnesota for a panel on the Harry Potter books. Not that I under the illusion that mentioning it in this LiveJournal will cause hordes to show up, you understand, but still . . . every little bit of publicity helps. Here's the press release:

The Children's Literature Research Collections of the University of Minnesota Libraries and the Rivendell Group of the Mythopoeic Society invites the public to a panel discussion of "Harry Potter in the Library of Childhood," at 2:15 p.m. on Wednesday, November 20, in the Andersen Library at the Minneapolis west bank campus, 230 21st Ave. S. Confirmed panelists include Prof. Lee Galda, of the University College of Education Dept. of Curriculum and Instruction, a specialist in Children's Literature and children's responses to the books they read; and Peg Kerr, fantasy novelist (The Wild Swans, Emerald House Rising).

The Rivendell Group will also hold an open discussion of the Harry Potter books and films on Saturday, Nov. 23, 1:30 p.m., at the Minneapolis Southeast Public Library, 1222 4th St. SE, Mpls.

Recently, Jack Zipes has suggested in Sticks and Stones: The Troublesome Success of Children's Literature from Slovenly Peter to Harry Potter that while many expert critics in the field of Children's Literature and Children's Books have tended to dismiss the Harry Potter books and publishing phenomenon, it is important to examine them carefully for what they are in the context of that phenomenon and the larger enterprise of writing, marketing and reading books for children. In his essays, Zipes has raised a number of issues that should interest all adult readers and parents of child readers of these books‹we hope to explore a few aspects of these issues by beginning with the Harry Potter books by J.K. Rowling, and exploring some questions related to the books, their stories, their phenomenal success, their context in fantasy and in children¹s reading and contemporary culture.

The Rivendell Group of the Mythopoeic Society meets on a monthly schedule to discuss myth, fantasy and imaginative literature, especially in the traditions of such writers as J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis and Ursula LeGuin. Anyone interested in our topics is invited to join us. Future programs will include readings of original stories and poems in December, and a discussion of the new Two Towers motion picture in January. Located in the Andersen Library, the Children's Literature Research Collections (including the Kerlan and Hess Collections) constitute one of the finest
such resources in North America.

Thank you for your consideration. Should you have any questions about these events or The Rivendell Group, I can be reached during the day at (612) 626-3375, or at home at (651) 292-8887. Webpage: www.umn.edu/~d-lena/RIVENDELL.html Email: d-lena@umn.edu

--David Lenander
(Man, am I a publicity ninny.)

Peg

Comments

[turquoise-dream.livejournal.com]

Hi, I don't actually know you, but I've seen your name in the fandom in the short time since I found it. I was wondering if you keep copies of lectures you have given... At my high school, all seniors are required to do a research paper, quoting the work of others, and I've managed to get my teacher to give me permission to do my on Harry Potter. I plan to concentrate on religious aspecs of the books, but I've been having a really hard time finding reliable sources my teacher will accept. Unfortunately, HP for Grownups isn't qualified. However, you as a lecture speaker and published author would be. I would truly appreciate any help you could give me, but as I don't actually know you, I can understand why you wouldn't want to.

If this request is out of line, feel absolutely free to ignore or chastise me.

My essays on the Harry Potter books

[pegkerr.livejournal.com]

have not been published.

There is certainly lots of material out there discussing the religious aspects of the books. See, e.g., here. See also the essays listed at the end here.

I did enter into an e-mail correspondence concerning my essays with a theologian named Andrew Goddard, who subsequently went on to have an article published in the Anvil, an English theological periodical, called "Harry Potter and the Quest for Virtue." See William Bates' article here, which lists Goddard's article in the bibliography at the end.

I am giving you these leads with the understanding that you will properly cite everything you use, yes? This should be enough to get you started. Hope it helps.
Best,
Peg

Re: My essays on the Harry Potter books

[turquoise-dream.livejournal.com]

Thank you very much, that will help me- for some reason I was thinking your essays had been published, thank you for correcting me on that. I will, of course, cite all my sources properly- I absolutely despise plagarism, and would never commit it. Those articles and leads will help me- most of the things about Harry Potter I've been able to find are not at all analytical. Thank you.