My kids and I have been reading through the Harry Potters together for several months. We just finished Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. We’re reading together because the kids are getting pressure from classmates to read and discuss the books. However, I don’t want my two reading them on their own yet. We compromised by reading the books together.
Reading these aloud, I notice things I didn’t when reading them to myself. Unfortunate things like awkward dialogue tags and the overuse of adverbs. But the story shines just as brilliantly. The world feels just as rich, the characters just as complex and finely drawn, and the humor just as delightful. And the experience is more meaningful when I read with my kids.
I love the way we get to the end of a section, and they beg for more. Conversations start around the dinner table about what good families are like and who to trust and how to make good choices and how the world isn’t divided into good people and Death Eaters–that evil can take many forms and faces, some of which initially appear to be good. Even better, my kids get inspired to create their own worlds as they emerge from this one.
I’ve always loved these books. I love them even more now that my family is experiencing them together.