Intro

 

Hi everyone! And welcome to Books Between - a podcast for educators, parents and everyone who loves middle grade books!

 

I'm your host, Corrina Allen - a mom of two tween girls, a 5th grade teacher in Central New York, and currently enjoying those magical days between Christmas and New Years when you have no idea what day it is and you spend half your time in your pajamas reading…..ahhhh…..

 

I believe in the power of books - especially fantasy books - to help you mull over the big moral issues in life and help you discover who you really want to be. And few books have accomplished that for so many better than the Harry Potter series.

 

This is our final #HappyPottermas episode of December and it is full discussion centered around those topics.

First, you'll hear some clips from Harry Potter fans - editors, authors, teachers, and… my own family.

 

And then I'll share with you three conversations that will definitely get your wheels turning - and probably disagreeing. First, #HappyPottermas organizer Erin Varley and I will chat with Dr. Pat Geyer about how she has transformed her school into Hogwarts.  Then librarian Angie Manfredi and I get into some Harry Potter controversies. And then I share some firewhisky with author and KidLitDrinkNight podcast host Amy Skelding who shares her surprising 10 Most Devasting Harry Potter Deaths.

 

It probably goes without saying that this episode will discuss the ending of the books - but just in case that's not clear - Spoiler Alert!!

 

#HappyPottermas - Audio Submissions (2:00 )

 

• Cary (@CarytheEditor), Blogger Freelance Editor at The Friendly Editor
• Adrianna Cuevas (@acuevaswrites) -  MG author  
• Cassie Thomas (@mrs_cmt1489) - 5th grade teacher, blogger at Teachers Who Read
• Victoria J. Coe (@victoriajcoe) - author, Fenway & Hattie series
• Kathy Burnett (@thebrainlair) - Independent Bookstore Owner - The Brain Lair
• Lena Allen - 4th grade student
• Angie Allen - 6th grade student
• Paul Goat Allen (@paulgoatallen) - genre fiction book reviewer

 

Erin Varley & Dr. Pat Geyer - Interview Outline (17:20 )

 

Our first special guests this week are Erin Varley (teacher and #HappyPottermas organizer) and principal Pat Geyer - who, as you will hear, is doing some amazing Harry Potter themed activities at her school that has inspired me to do some similar things this year as well.

 

Take a listen…

 

Topics we chatted about

 

• Introductions
• Harry Potter Themed Activities at Pat's School
• Harry Potter Themed Activities at Erin's School
• Harry Pottter as a Read Aloud
• Kid's Reactions to Harry Potter now vs. 20 Years Ago
• Rereading Harry Potter
• New Harry Potter Covers / Illustrated Versions
• Our Hogwart's Houses
• More Hufflepuff and Slytherin love

 

Links:

 

Erin Verley on Twitter - @erinvarley

Dr. Pat Geyer on Twitter - @patgeyer

Pat's school on Facebook

The Harry Potter books

Pottermore website

 

Angie Manfredi - Interview Outline (32:40 )

 

Next up I am really excited to welcome special guest Angie Manfredi -  librarian and editor of the upcoming anthology - The F Word. We chat about how our views of Harry Potter have changed over the years, our frustrations with Dumbledore and the new direction JK Rowling has taken with the spin-offs, and Angie's incredible and very accurate one question quiz to sort you into the right Hogwarts House. Plus - she finally convinces me to read The Cursed Child. Which I will tell you - it is taking all of my willpower to do anything else around the house other than finish that book that right now.

 

Take a listen…

 

Topics we chatted about

 

• Introductions
• First memories of reading Harry Potter
• Rereading Harry Potter
• Problematic Details
• Dumbledore & Draco
• Fantastic Beasts
• Problematic Systems of Magic involving Native Americans
• The Cursed Child
• Scorpius Malfoy
• Angie's one question Hogwart's House sorting quiz
• Should we sort?
• The Harry Potter Movies
• The acting in the Harry Potter movies
• Fascist Ideology in Harry Potter & the Mitford Sisters
• Snape, James Potter, the Black Family
• Controversial Opinions!
• Fan Fiction
• Native American Fantasy

 

Links:

 

Angie Manfredi on Twitter - @misskubelik

Mr. Turner movie

Author Adam Silvera

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