HOW HARRY CAST HIS SPELL by John Granger

A book-by-book analysis of the Christian symbols and themes in the Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling. This is an updated version of the book Finding God in Harry Potter. Around the time the fourth book was coming out, my Sunday School students were reading Harry and my husband decided to check them out to see what the kids were reading. We had heard the criticism from some pockets of Christianity about the books being evil and encouraging kids to pursue the occult. My husband found the stories delightful and not evil, but I was not convinced until a friend suggested I read Finding God. I found the author's logic about the magical elements from the series not being occult-ish reasonable and I gave the series a try for myself. And I fell in love.

I teach at a Christian school and Harry is not allowed in some classrooms and for simplicity we have chosen not to shelve it in the library. But I did buy a copy of this book for my new "Teacher Resource" section for the staff in my building. I decided to read it again for a refresher and found it just as reasonable and convincing as I did the first time I read it. I hope some of the teachers who have questions or concerns about the series will give this book a try. It is one large spoiler, so I wouldn't recommend it to someone who actually wants to enjoy the series, but it would be great for a parent or pastor or teacher who had questions or concerns about the series or for folks who have already read the books and wants a more in-depth look at the elements of alchemy, the symbols of Christ (phoenix, griffin, etc.) and the themes of love and sacrifice.

4 out of 5 stars

BLOG TOUR: He Knows Your Name AND The Power of an Ordinary Prayer

  

This summer I was given the opportunity to read and review these two beautiful books. Worthy Publishing provided review copies of the books and the press release text that you'll find at the bottom of this review.

He Knows Your Name - God knows your name, and Cottrell ties this to several aspects of the concept of worship - surrender, faith and trust, fear, forms of worship, etc. Cottrell says, "Worship is saying to God, 'You matter more than anything in my life.... I submit to what You are and what You are doing in my life." (pg 149) Points are made with Bible stories as well as personal stories. Extended introduction by Beth Moore. The book is lovely - hard cover, easily could be used as a gift book. Quotes, questions and prayers accompany each chapter. I had planned to give my copy away, but I couldn't keep myself from highlighting various points.  4 out of 5 stars.

The Power of an Ordinary Prayer - This book opens with a beautiful blessing that addresses family, spiritual victory, service, etc. Then each chapter addresses a part of the blessing with personal stories and Scriptures. Smith does a great job of clarifying that the blessing isn't some sort of "magic spell" that gets the speaker everything he/she wants. But it can connect readers to God's desire to love and bless his people. This, too, would make a great gift book for encouragement. There's space for readers to respond to the ideas in each chapter. I think the blessing itself is my favorite part. It would be beautiful on a book mark or plaque or other gift items. 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Thank you, Worthy Publishing, for the opportunity to review these books!!

GRAMMY AND DOVE AWARD-WINNING RECORDING ARTISTS

PEN TITLES WITH WORTHY PUBLISHING

 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – June 11th, 2013—The Worthy Publishing Group rounds out its Spring/Summer 2013 list with two gift titles penned by award-winning singer/songwriters Michael W. Smith and Travis Cottrell.

Smith’s book The Power of an Ordinary Prayer (Worthy Publishing, 9781617951923, July 2013, $14.99, hardcover) explores the heart of prayer and its power to transform your world. The beautifully-designed, hardcover gift book inspires readers to pray blessings over their loved ones, and in return discover the abundant joy and peace that can be theirs through the power of this simple blessing. 

Dove-award winning artist, Travis Cottrell’s 144-page gift book entitled He Knows Your Name (Worthy Publishing, 9781617951916, July 2013, $14.99, hardcover), looks at those surprising times and places when God proves his radical love. With a remarkable introduction by NewYork Times best-selling author Beth Moore, Cottrell reminds readers that God is the hope, strength, and deliverance they desperately need in every circumstance—especially those moments when it is least expected.

“These books, written by award-winning recording artists, come on the heels of our success with titles from contemporary Christian music artists Laura Story and Nichole Nordeman,” says Jeana Ledbetter, Vice President of Editorial.Within the past year Worthy Publishing has struck a chord with readers with the release of Grammy-award winning songwriter Laura Story’s devotional, What If Your Blessings Come Through Raindrops? (Freeman Smith, 9781605873220, March 2012, $11.99, trade paper) along with Dove-award winning artist Nichole Nordeman’s Love Story (Worthy, 9781617950513, August 2012, $16.99, hardcover). “It seems we have found a niche transforming best-selling recording artists into widely read authors,” Ledbetter continues.  Worthy is also scheduled to release Big Daddy Weave’s devotional Redeemed (Worthy, 9781605875224, August 2013, $11.99), based on the song recently awarded “Song of the Year” at the K-Love Fan Awards on June 1^st.

Michael W. Smith is a multiple-time Grammy and Dove Award-winning singer/songwriter, having recorded more than twenty-two albums and written numerous hit songs.Smith has written several best-selling books, including Old Enough to Know and Friends are Friends Forever. He and his wife, Debbie, have five children and live in Nashville.

Travis Cottrell is a Dove Award-winning recording artist and songwriter and has been the worship leader at Beth Moore’s Living Proof Live conferences for fifteen years. He also serves as the Worship Pastor at Englewood Baptist Church in Jackson, Tennessee, where he lives with his wife, Angela, and their three children.

Worthy Publishing Group (www.worthypublishing.com) is a privately held, independent voice in Christian and inspirational publishing, based in Nashville, Tennessee, comprised of three divisions. Worthy Books publishes a boutique list of trade titles across a broad spectrum of genres, including current events, biography, fiction, devotionals, spiritual and personal growth, and specialized Bibles. Ellie Claire is a line of gift and paper expressions, and Freeman-Smith is a value-priced, impulse book imprint.