It isn’t easy to stand up for free speech, and it is important to support the people who do it. kidSPEAK! wants to send letters of support to the Counts family who courageously fought against a restriction to the Harry Potter Books in Cedarville, Arkansas and won! Will you help us? To send a letter first read the kidSPEAK! news story “Harry Potter Wins His First Censorship Courtroom Battle.” Then write a letter to the Counts family letting them know what you think of the school district restricting the Harry Potter books and thanking them for their fight to get the books back on the library shelves.

Send your letter to caitlin@kidspeakonline.org and we will forward it to the Counts family. Your letter may even be displayed right on this page. As always if you are under 18, make sure to get your parents’ permission before sending us your letter.

I think that the reading Harry Potter and not reading Harry Potter is surely ridiculous. Because when I read Harry Potter I'm not getting scared. Just because I'm reading Harry Potter won't make me a believer of witchcraft, and I'm Catholic. For little kids Harry might not be the best influence, but he does fight evil. There are some scary parts in H.P but later on kids will realize the difference between fantasy and reality. If you don't want to read the book, don't read it then. Keep that in your family. If you want to, you go on ahead.
- John, age 11 grade 5

What I think about the Harry Potter case is that they should probably ban them for second grades and under. For the fourth and fifth graders, they can read the books if they want. Harry Potter books are good books. They're just a little bit of magic and violence. I can handle it, and I'm a fifth grader.
- Maria, age 9 grade 5

I think the Harry Potter case is just crazy. I have an idea that kids 7 and under need a permission slip to see if it's okay for 7 and under to read Harry Potter books. If parents of kids 8 and older complain, the principal should just talk to them and tell them that it's just fantasy. Plus, kids 8 and older better know that it's fantasy and kids 7 and under don't know it's just fantasy. So that's my opinion.
- Vicky age 10 grade 5

My opinion about the Harry Potter case is that it shouldn't be banned. I think this because, come on, kids finally love to read. If you banned the Harry Potter books it would be like taking candy from a baby. Maybe if parents don't want their kids to read the book they should talk to their children about it. I think it will be unfair if they banned the books of Harry Potter. It's unfair because some kids' parents want them to read it. They also might be happy because their kid is finally reading.
- Evelyn age 10 grade 5

Harry Potter is not the devil! Why are so many people saying he is? I mean, I don't want to offend anybody who thinks he's the devil, but Harry Potter fights evil. Many people are saying that he is a bad role model, but he stands for what is good. Sure, he goes against authority, but usually only when he thinks they're wrong. All parents want their kids to think for themselves, and that is what Harry does. My point here is that the book shouldn't be taken away from kids.
- Stephen, age 10 grade 5

I think that this Harry Potter thing is kind of dumb. He doesn't say, "Hey let's go break the rules." He has a reason for what he does. For example, he doesn't say, "I want to sneak out," for no reason. He tries to stop Voldemort from stealing the sorcerer's stone. Some people say kids will stop believing in God. WHAT! Harry Potter books have nothing to do with religion. I read Harry Potter and I'm Catholic! So I don't know what they're talking about.
- Angelo, age 11 grade 5

I think that the book Harry Potter shouldn't be banned. The book should only be read by older kids. The book is violent, but older kids can handle it. They shouldn't read the book aloud in any class. If younger kids wants to read the book they should have a permission slip signed that they could read it. Older kids don't need one because they can separate fantasy from reality.
- William, age 11 grade 5

Some people try to ban Harry Potter books because they're violent. But Harry Potter boos have taught kids to like reading. Also, it helps their vocabulary because it has interesting words. I know that it has witchcraft, but it is fake and fantasy. Also, it's not so scary. The movie isn't either. My cousin saw it, and she's eight years old. Kids know that if they say the magic words, nothing is going to happen. This is my opinion and I hope people will not try to ban the Harry Potter books.
- Cristina, age 11 grade 5

I think that it's not right to ban Harry Potter books because there's no good reason to. People say that Harry is evil, but I know that's not true because Harry fights evil. They also say that it's scary. I have seen both movies and it's not even close to scary. I have more to say. Parents say that Harry is violent, and that's nonsense. The only things they think is violent are the spells and swords. Big deal! What's violent is stuff like guns. My point is I think it's not right to ban things kids like to read.
- Dennis, age 11 grade 5

What I think about this case is that some people are right that the Harry Potter book is a bit scary, but only for little kids. Big kids know their fantasy from their reality. It is true that Harry Potter fights, but he fights crime. He is the good guy. People that have little kids are right. Their kids could try to do some stunts. But like I said, older kids do know their fantasy from their \reality. If you don't want your kids to read Harry Potter, don't let them. If you do, do!
- Yaret, age 11 grade 5

Orion
Kindergartener at Whitesides Elementary
Hi! My name is Orion and I am a kindergartener at Whitesides Elementary. I love Harry Potter books because they are cool. Witchcraft is not something to be afraid of. It was mean to cut up those books. You should never cut up books. You should love books. It is fun to read.

Jaclyn
Reverend Taylor, the host of Jesus Party should look closer before judging. Kids are reading these books and discovering there is more to life than going to school. What have they discovered exactly? Their imaginations. Does Reverend Douglass Taylor realize what he is doing? Kids are fighting for their First Amendment rights but do they also have the fight for their imaginations? The one thing that keeps one person different than the others? We stand back and watch him rip the books to shreds, almost symbolically, ripping up our imaginations. Children like the books because they want to live in that world, they want to see magic, not see some phony magician pull a rabbit out of his hat. They want to have a brave friend like Harry Potter and ride across the dark lake where the giant squid lurks to the grand castle of Hogwarts. Although they want to do all of these things they know Hogwarts isn't real and Harry Potter does not exist. In the Science of Harry Potter provides plausible, scientific reasons on how a broom might fly, how Whomping Willow can whomp, and how Herbology and potion making aren't a far cry from medicine today. And J.K. Rowling has done some research. Most off her characters derive from Greek myth, like for example, Fluffy, in Greek myth was Cerberus, the many headed dog that guarded the gateway to Hell. Or Argus Filch who in Greek mythology, had 100 eyes. Harry Potter doesn't teach witchcraft or devilry, it teaches friendship, bravery and kindness. Read the books.

Brittany
These people don't understand! Harry Potter doesn't promote witch craft its ABOUT witch craft. There's no such thing. They need to understand that!! They are so involved in believing in god [which I have no problem with] they don't take time to realize this is just a story! Its made up for heavens sake! Think of how many OTHER books are about witch craft, do they complain about this too? J.K.Rowling made up the story, she doesn't support the devil by writing FICTION about witchcraft. I realize there's fighting in the book but its fake, most those things could NEVER happen. The story isn't only about witch craft its about friendship, love, responsibility, and other important stuff kids should know about. I realize a lot of little kids think its real but it's their parents fault for not telling them it was made up, just like dragons are made up. I really like Harry Potter books they are filled with adventure from the first page to the last, its exciting and thrilling, and just plain fun.

Natalie Aja Goodmuth
Age 13
I personally think that book burning/cutting is entirely ridiculous. I mean just because the story's plot involves something that might suggest witchcraft it doesn't mean they should burn/cut the book to show that it is wrong. Harry Potter and the series of books has reintroduced children to reading. Without Harry Potter kids would still be playing video games, being on the internet, or watching TV constantly. Without Harry Potter our imaginations would still be of lack. But because of Harry Potter and several other books we have realized that there is a life beyond the little box our TV. I believe that if people feel that Harry Potter is a threat to their children then they should keep it as a family matter and solve it that way, not force all children to lose touch with the books that helped opened the door to reading. Many people protest that since J.K Rowling is not Catholic proves that she is truing to brainwash us to turn to witchcraft. No I think this is also entirety ridiculous. She just thought of a good idea, wrote it down, and it luckily caught the attention of children. I hate to think that people are so against these books because in my family there is not restrictions on books they are opened for me to and I am Catholic thank you very much. But that is beyond the point the fact that parents believe that we believe in witchcraft is completely stupid. We or at least I know what is real and want is not. And another thing Anti-Harry Potter people it is FICTION get that entirely made up except like the setting (England) and the places (Kings Cross Station) etc. But I seriously doubt if you go to London you'll find The Leaky Cauldron or a Wizard. That's what fiction is made up. So all you people against Harry Potter. Get over it.

Cassie
Age 13
Wow, I can't believe that! I'm Christian and I read Harry Potter. So what if it pertains to witch craft. As long as you know it is fictional than it shouldn't matter. And The Lord of the Rings was based on the gospels and their is a lot of magic in the books and in the movies. So that says that anyone can read these books no matter what religion or denomination you are. I absolutely love the Harry Potter books and I would recommend them to anyone. I'm 15 and they still teach me how to be a good person and that is what Christianity is all about. Ask my brother. He is a Pastor and he has read and respected the Harry Potter series. And I think that is great. The Jesus Party does not know what they are talking about. Maybe they should read the books and finally understand what all of the fans are raging about.

Amanda
They're saying that this book is violent what do they think there showing by cutting up the books!!!!!

From the NCAC's Censorship News
Winter 02-03 Issue #88

When Lisa Distelburger, a sixteen-year-old junior at Clarkstown North High School in New City, NY, heard that a fellow student's work was removed from an art exhibit on social commentary, she sprang into action. The artwork depicted fighting in Northern Ireland, a suicide bombing in Israel, and the bodies of victims of violence in India with a commentary: "If this is the will of God, who needs God?" Lisa organized her school community in protest and was successful in having the art work restored.

The New York Library Association and SIRS (Social Issues Resources Service) awarded Lisa an Intellectual Freedom Award for 2002. What follows are excerpts from Lisa's acceptance speech:

"Last year, a computer graphics class at my school was assigned to do a social commentary in wake of the recent events occurring in our global community. One student's voice was silenced in a malicious act of the administration, because she dared to challenge religious conflict and ask: why? Being both an active member of the art department and a firm believer in the First Amendment, I, along with many other students, was outraged by the artistic censorship that was occurring at my school. I began to research freedom of expression in the context of the public school system. I came across the Supreme Court case Tinker vs. Des Moines whose verdict stated, 'Students do not shed their constitutional rights to freedom of expression at the schoolhouse gate.'

Believing that our First Amendment rights were being violated, Dana and I founded the organization 'Students for Free Expression,' whose goal was to combat artistic censorship and social injustice. We gained tremendous support from students and faculty as we wore pins, armbands, necklaces, and shirts that preached our cause. We staged a protest in front of our school and gained exposure from the local media. In the end, the piece was hung back up in a smaller venue, in the administration's effort to silence our rage. Although justice wasn't served for the right reasons, the hundreds of students who took part in this active coalition learned more about the First Amendment than any history class could possibly teach. We took the knowledge we acquired from school on the Bill of Rights and transformed it into the vortex of our crusade for freedom. If that's not education, I don't know what is."

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