• 5 Star Reads
  • Audiobooks
  • Books on Screen
  • Children’s Books
  • Christian
  • Fiction
  • Giveaways

5 Minutes For Books

  • Home
  • About
    • Who Are We? Reviewer Bios
    • 5 Star Reads
    • Disclosure
    • Privacy Policy
    • About Us
  • Join In
    • 5 Minutes for Books Bookclub
    • Children’s Classics
    • Kids’ Picks
    • What’s on Your Nightstand
  • Link To Us
  • Contact
    • Advertise

Harry Potter for a new generation

September 14, 2013 by Jennifer

5M4B disclosure

My 15-year-old daughter and I never remember the names of the Harry Potter books. “The blue one! I’ll say. Number 5, I think,” I’ll flounder. “Oh yes, The Order of the Phoenix,” she’ll remember as the association of the cover brings her some clarity. Regardless of if I can remember the titles or the plot or the order, I too can picture the books in my mind. I can see the covers with the harlequin diamonds on the spine and the cover art of Mary GrandPre.

Scholastic has released a new series of paperbacks featuring new cover art from Kazu Kibuishi. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (Book 1) came out on August 27. The entire series is available as a boxed set or as individual paperback copies.

I like what’s familiar. I always think, “Why change? If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

harrypotter sorcerer's stone

These are released in honor of the 15th anniversary of the series. Fifteen years. The 9 to 12 year olds who started reading the books when they first came out could now be raising children of their own. Scary.

I requested the new version from Scholastic as a curiosity, and also because I had thought it might be cool for my 9-year-old son to have his own book, as he’s been asking to start the series.

I was glad to see that the very distinctive type used in the Harry Potter books hadn’t changed. Also, the work of Mary GrandPre is still there, in those little chapter heading illustrations.

I have to wonder, are these the covers that my son’s generation will remember? Will they endure? Or will it take perhaps 5 or 10 more years before the hand-me-downs from big brothers and sisters become less prevalent?

Kyle read the first book (again, it’s how I think of them, book one, still not using the titles or even the more appropriate “year one” designation). He liked it. I’m trying to keep him from plowing through them too quickly, hoping he’ll allow the story to unfold, and definitely wanting him to wait a couple years before he gets to the more intense later scenes, but for now Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone is a book that he read and enjoyed this summer, and regardless of what the book covers he grabs look like, I know he’ll continue on.

Although the “old” covers are familiar and beloved to me, I do think that the makeover will be good for the series, for helping that it feels current to these kids. What do you think?

Check out my On Reading post about other new classics for kids, where of course I’ve included Harry Potter. I’d love to know what your thoughts are on some of the others.

Check out our current giveaways. Subscribe to our feed. Follow us @5M4B on Twitter or on Facebook.

Filed Under: Children's Books, Jennifer, Middle Grade Chapter Books

« Kind of Cruel
What are the new children’s classics? {On Reading} »

Comments

  1. Mozi Esmes mom says

    September 16, 2013 at 2:49 am

    Covers do make a big difference in a kid’s perception of a book…

  2. Debby Chandler says

    September 16, 2013 at 9:58 am

    my grandchildren have all the Harry Potter books and have read them several times and well as seen the movies several times.

  3. christina moore says

    September 17, 2013 at 11:06 am

    My daughter has all the Harry Potter books and movies, she has read all of the books

  4. Heather says

    September 17, 2013 at 9:59 pm

    While I do love the old covers, I also think the new covers give it a little something new for the next generation of readers.

  5. Linda Stewart says

    September 19, 2013 at 12:03 pm

    I hate to confess, but Harry Potter is something we’ve never gotten involved in. I’ve seen the advertisements but they’ve never really appealed to my senses. The covers do look intriguing though. May have to give them a chance.

  6. mindy cole says

    September 21, 2013 at 2:07 pm

    I dont read these and my daughter is to young

  7. Joni Mason says

    September 21, 2013 at 3:49 pm

    While I don’t like the idea of changing the covers I think it might keep the books current with other books coming out.

  8. Maria Iemma says

    September 23, 2013 at 10:41 am

    I cannot wait for the kids to get bigger and get to know Harry Potter. I have read all the books and seen all the movies.

  9. kathy dalton says

    September 25, 2013 at 10:00 pm

    I love the Harry potter series of books and I love the new cover

  10. Andrew says

    September 27, 2013 at 8:26 pm

    I’m thinking about getting my kids into Harry Potter – the oldest is six now. He likes to read, so this series might be a good start in the fantasy/magic genre.

  11. angie says

    September 27, 2013 at 8:28 pm

    sister in law would love this she loves harry potter

Connect with us

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Welcome to 5 Minutes for Books. We are a team blog dedicated to sharing reviews and information about children's lit, fiction, memoir, and more. Read More…

Reviews

5 Minutes for Books

Jennifer Donovan
Managing Editor

MEET OUR TEAM



Connect With Us


Pinterest

Community

Cybils Logo Draft 3

Disclosure:

Find out about our relationships with publishers and affiliate networks in our full disclosure statement.

Recent Posts

  • Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun
  • The Greenleaf Murders
  • Chaos at Carnegie Hall
  • The Confessions of Matthew Strong
  • Bad Day Breaking

Categories

Privacy Policy    |     Disclosure Policy
Terms & Conditions
© 5 Minutes for Mom

Let’s Socialize

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Pinterest is Our FAVORITE!

Find and Follow Us at
pinterest.com/5min4books

Copyright © 2023 · Tasteful theme by Restored 316