While one Tennessee school has banned Harry Potter books from its shelves, a group of parents in Chattanooga are collecting copies of the books to give away to children for free.
Chattanooga Moms for Social Justice is a local activist group that launched the Classroom Library Project last year with the goal of installing a classroom library in each of Hamilton County's 12 Opportunity Zone schools.
The group is preparing for its second annual Magic of Literacy event, celebrating reading, literature and the controversial Harry Potter series itself.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
— Members of Chattanooga Moms for Social Justice are collecting donations of brand new copies of Harry Potter books. The group is looking for both English and Spanish language copies. To donate, visit the group’s Amazon wishlist.— For more information about Moms for Social Justice, visit momsforsocialjustice.us or www.facebook.com/momsforsocialjustice.
When the founders of the group heard the series had been banned at St. Edward Catholic School in Nashville they were shocked.
"The idea of banning books in general is unacceptable, especially books that get kids excited about reading," said Taylor Lyons, a founder of Moms for Social Justice.
IF YOU GO
The Magic of Literacy event is from 3-7 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 27, at the Chattanooga Choo Choo, 1400 Market St.The event is free, family friendly and open to the public.For more information or to register to attend, visit https://bit.ly/2lDbP3E.
The Rev. Dan Reehil, a school priest, decided to remove the books from the school's library because "the books could cause a reader to conjure evil spirits," according to the Associated Press.
In an email obtained by The Tennessean, Reehil said he consulted exorcists in the U.S. and Rome who recommended removing the books.
"The curses and spells used in the books are actual curses and spells; which when read by a human being risk conjuring evil spirits into the presence of the person reading the text," he wrote in the email.
But Moms for Social Justice founders say any book that inspires a love for reading should be readily available for children.
"Knowing how to read and loving to read is not the same. And we should all be encouraging kids to love to read," Lyons said. "Why not give [kids] every opportunity to believe there is magic in the world?"
The group has spoken out on controversial issues in the past, including supporting student walkouts, demanding gun control reform and on LGBTQ issues. But improving childhood literacy rates and access to reading materials is an issue the five founders say everyone should support.
"Putting books in the hands of kids is something we can all coalesce around," Lyons said.
The group will hold its second Magic of Literacy event on Oct. 27 at the Chattanooga Choo Choo.
The event, featuring Harry Potter-themed activities, photo booths, costumes and prizes, has expanded from a single afternoon to a three-day event spanning the entire weekend. Festivities are not limited to children this year either - several activities such as a trivia night and themed cocktails are planned outside of Sunday's main event.
Last year, more than 1,000 people attended the event, said Smith, and the group gave away more than 120 copies of "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone."
The purpose of the event is not just to throw a Harry Potter-themed party, said Mari Smith, another one of the group's founders, though many members joke that that was the original intent.
The group will also be raising awareness and recruiting volunteers for upcoming Classroom Library Project installations. It is installing two libraries this September, one each at East Lake Elementary and Dalewood Middle School.
Volunteers will spend a day or two in a teacher's classroom, repurposing a corner or nook to create a cozy reading environment and stock the shelves with brand-new young adult novels.
"We want this to be an event that people can attend and enjoy without a specific political message," Smith said. "A lot of people like to think that 'I can come for a weekend and install a library and feel like I contributed."
With the help of a $20,000 grant from the Chattanooga-based Weldon F. Osborne Foundation, the group has completed six of the 12 pledged libraries, but it hopes to reach even more schools and teachers. Each library costs about $1,500 to create, between the dozens of books, furniture and other supplies needed.
As mothers of young children themselves, Lyons and Smith said they sometimes fail to appreciate the availability of books in their kids' lives.
"I take for granted that we have tons of books in our household and have time to read to our kids all the time," Smith said. "But that's not the case for all families, that's why the Classroom Library Project was founded."
Smith and Lyons said the Harry Potter series is an example of the power of children's literature.
"I would challenge any of us to think of any other series that has inspired such fervor," Lyons said. "I love books where kids are the heroes. They are curious and courageous."
The Harry Potter stories are excellent tools for spreading the joys of books, Smith argued, and that's what the Magic of Literacy event is all about.
"The end goal is books, and I think that's the most exciting thing about this," she said. "You do the activities and at the end, you get a book."
Contact Meghan Mangrum at mmangrum@timesfreepress.com or 423-757- 6592. Follow her on Twitter @memangrum.