The Arab, Alabama, school board rejected a parent’s request to remove the Harry Potter books from three city schools December 18.
Janet Weaver told the board in October that J. K. Rowling, the author of the popular series, is a “member of the occult” and that the books encourage children to practice witchcraft, the Huntsville Times reported December 19. Rowling says her writing is fantasy and not about the occult.
Three challenge review committees recommended the books remain in Arab’s elementary, junior high, and high schools, but that teachers make no requirement that students read them—essentially the same situation as before.
School officials said the committees made their recommendation after spending 60 hours studying and reading the series.
Posted December 25, 2000.