If you're waiting with bated breath for the impending release of the latest Harry Potter movie, you might want to bone up on the subject by reading these two articles: in Catholic World News, "Harry Potter and the Paganization of Children's Culture," by Michael O'Brien (http://www.cwnews.com/news/viewstory.cfm?recnum=20546), and on LifeSite.com, "Ten Arguments Against Harry Potter," by Gabriele Kuby (http://www.lifesite.net/Idn/2005/jul/05071508.html). The O'Brien article, while long (it includes detailed summaries of all the novels in the series, and analyses thereof), is especially informative.

I read a Harry Potter book, to see what all the fuss was about. One thing stood out: the moral landscape of Harry Potter is virtually identical to that of pro wrestling. There are supposedly good guys and bad guys, but the only thing that distinguishes them is that the author says, "OK, these are the good guys, and that bunch over there is the bad guys." In terms of orientation, behavior, core beliefs, and anything else of importance, there is absolutely no difference between the heroes and the villains. Believe me, your kids are infinitely better off reading C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia. Come to think of it, you are, too.