In what is sure to be his biggest summer yet, the famous boy wizard is nowhere to be found on the state Department of Education's 2007 summer reading list.
Harry Potter failed to apparate on the list designed to keep kids reading through the long school break because of "some people who raise questions about that series," said Mary Andis, one of the list's compilers with the department.
Those questions relate to witchcraft and religion, Andis said.
"It's an odd thing to put on the list if it's going to raise problems," she said.
The second annual list provides recommendations to children and parents for finding new and interesting reading material, Andis said. The 150-title list includes fiction and nonfiction selections at the primary, middle school and high school levels. It also notes writers with Hoosier connections.
More books relating to Abraham Lincoln have been included, with the bicentennial of his birth coming in 2009.
The omission of Harry Potter is a moot point, Andis said. The July release of the last book in the series and the latest movie ensure that summer readers will be fully aware of the Hogwarts saga.
No other books were left off the list because of their controversial content, Andis said.
Portage High School librarian Dawn Yovanovich called the list a good initiative.
"Reading consistently year-round is a good way for students to help their vocabulary and that reading habit," she said.
Yovanovich recommends that parents model reading for their kids, set a family reading time and get them involved in public library reading programs.
Pam Ferber, manager of the Hebron branch of the Porter County Public Library System, said that just 15 minutes a day is enough to realize the benefits of reading. According to the Department of Education, summer reading improves students' academic performance in reading and other school subjects.
The great thing about summer reading, Ferber said, is that kids can read whatever they want.
"If you find what they're interested in -- they'll read," Ferber said.
To help kids connect with a good book, Read-a-licious, the Porter County Public Library System's summer reading program, begins today.
Pamphlets about Lake County Public Library's Get a Clue summer program are available at each branch.
Summer reading links
Indiana Department of Education Summer Reading List
Visit www.doe.state.in.us/summerreading.
Porter County Public Library System
Visit www.pcpls.lib.in.us.
Lake County Public Library
Visit www.lakeco.lib.in.us
