The Twilight vs. Harry Potter Debate: Question #4

December 24, 3:39 AMBook ExaminerMichelle Kerns

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Impressed yet by the responses of our venerable debaters on both Team Potter and Team Twilight? Let's see what they have to say about Question #4:

Question #4: How successful do you think your favorite series is in encouraging new readers to continue reading and how does this compare to how new readers will react to the other series?

 

Team Potter?

Ms. Juliana Gomes: The Harry Potter series and the Twilight series are both amazingly written, because J.K. Rowling and Stephanie Meyer are extraordinaire writers. But I think the Harry Potter series are more embracing, especially when it comes to kids, because they don’t understand the kind of love that Bella and Edward share, and so Harry Potter becomes a more interesting story to them. Even if there’re thirteen-year-olds who love the Twilight series, it’s mainly because of the character Edward with all of his perfection – they just fall in love with him, and I think we can all understand why. But I recognize the encouragement the Harry Potter series give us on keep reading better than the Twilight series do. At least that’s what happened to me: I started reading Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone when I was about eight years old, fell in love with it and then got passionate about reading all kinds of books. I thank J.K. Rowling for writing such awesome books, because not only I’m currently addicted to reading, but also addicted to writing – I love writing about anything, just for the sake of writing. And I’m not sure I’d be like that if I had read the Twilight series first, and I know a lot of people feel the same way. Plus, if it wasn’t for her, I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t be able to speak English. So, thanks J.K.!

Ms. Victoria Landaker:  In my opinion both the Harry Potter series and the Twilight series have been very successful in getting younger readers (and some not so young readers) interested in reading more books. I don’t think either series is better than the other in this respect.

Ms. Annalisa Freeman: The question I hear most often upon the completion of the Potter series is "What do I read next?" Harry Potter, which is written on a level well above the age of its main character, wets people's appetite for literature and once they've finished the series, if they are true lovers of it, can't wait to get into the next series hoping to love it as much. The Potter fans I know are readers. I introduced my niece to this series when she was young and she has since become such a voracious reader she reads faster than anyone I know and I cannot satiate her appetite for good literature fast enough. At thirteen, her insights and interpretations are deep. I asked her why she thought Harry Potter encouraged more literacy and she said with the Potter stories you have to pay attention because all the details are important while in Twilight your mind can wander for pages at a time and you won't miss anything vital to the storyline. A friend of mine had a son in middle school struggling with reading and comprehension, but when his brother encouraged him to read the series, his grades improved and she came to me to find out what else he could read now that he is interested in literature. I call them Harry Potter testimonials and I hear them all the time. Harry Potter opens up young minds to a world of exploration and education.

Ms. Molly Gerber: For this question I must be fair to Twilight. Both series have been noted by many as getting children interested in reading again. Jo and Stephanie should both be given great credit for accomplishing this. In this day in age, with tv, the internet, movies, and video games at the forefront of entertainment, reading for merely for the enjoyment of entering a world that can only be found in your imagination is something getting lost in the shuffle. The fact that children (an adults) are once again reaching for their bookshelves and getting actively and passionately excited about the written word is incredibly commendable.

However, it should be noted that Harry Potter came first. Most Twilight readers started out as Harry Potter fans. Many people wouldn't have picked up another series if it wasn't for Harry Potter. Still, I can't bring myself to knock down Twilight completely with this question. Twilight kept many people reading, despite the end of Harry Potter. Any book that can do that should be given credit, whether or not I personally enjoy the series.

Team Twilight?

Ms. Caroline Suh:  Harry Potter deludes its readers deeper and deeper into a complete imaginary world, which is the full effect of its ability to keep the readers picking up the next book. What else keeps the readers to continue reading the series is that people want to know when Harry's luck if finally going to fail him and get him killed (or at least give him another pretty scar). Even if Harry doesn't get killed, people want to know what other close friend is going to get themselves killed in order to protect Harry. As I've mentioned before, the Twilight series is all about the relationships of each character with one another. The relatability that each character has with its readers is what keep readers so engrossed in the series - readers want to know the next problem that these characters face and how they handle the pressures of it in order to draw comparisons in their lives. This relatability is possible because of Stephenie Meyer's ability to have written the entire series from such a personal point of view from Bella or Jacob. It feels as if you are reading something right out of their mind, but the beauty of it is that you could easily replace their names, fill in your own, and find your self recounting your own personal accounts. Where Harry Potter dwells into the deaths of loved ones and the constant presence of evil, the Twilight series keeps readers satisfied with the idea of knowing that there is hope for Bella and Edward's relationship at the end of each novel and wanting to know how that hope continues to prevail into the following sequel.
 

Ms. Laura Nelson: I can say that if all readers loved the Twilight books like I did, it would leave them eager to find more reading material. I can say firsthand that my sister entered the world of Twilight as an unenthusiastic reader, who never read for pleasure. Reading Twilight showed her that rich and appealing literature can provide to its reader an escape from reality as well as an inspiration to the imagination. I am so pleased that she can now relate to my love of excellent books, and since Twilight is an easy-read which made positive experience for her, which I am sure she will continue by branching out to read new authors and experience what their literary worlds have to offer. For new readers, Twilight can provide a first step into the vast world of writing that is available for reading pleasure. I think Twilight will provide more excitement to read other books because of the above argued points, including the rich plot and character development. It is a story that will appeal to more readers than Harry Potter will because of its centration around true and intense ( forbidden) love. Readers certainly won’t be satisfied with just the Twilight Saga, and with no immediate plans on Meyer’s part to continue the story (or [PLEASE STEPHENIE!], finish Midnight Sun), they will hunt for more reading material to quench their thirst for rich literature.

 

Ms. Caroline Gates: I think Twilight is awesome to encourage young readers to read more. It relates really well to how school is today and what type of social cliques you see at school. Where I work, I see so many kids reading right now who didn't read before. All around the school, I see kids reading books that they aren't reading for a class. I get asked so many times if the kids can go into the library to read and its awesome! Ever since I got into Twilight, I have lent out my books to at least three kids who have gone through the books like it was water. They even ask me for recommendations for other books to read once they are through with the Twilight series. I have recommended Harry Potter to a few kids to read after Twilight. They don't seem to get into it as much. The one thing I have seen though with the two series, is that Twilight has kept the kids hooked to read more, no matter what it usually is. Harry Potter doesn't seem to keep them as hooked as before.

Ms. Taelor Ball:  After reading Twilight, I’ve read so many other vampire novels. After I read HP, there was nothing else like it, so I was bored for years, and there was even a point where I hated to read because there was nothing TO read. But there are tons of vampire novels to read out there.

And now, for the final question of the debate -- Question #5: A number of critics have predicted that, decades from now, no one will think the Potter series or the Twilight series worth reading. Do you agree or disagree? If you disagree, why do you think people will still be in love with these books? Do you think the series you are defending will stand the test of time better?