Yesterday, I held an all boys book club where the youngest was 6 and the oldest was 12, (a mature 12, mind you!). The conversations began by talking about which series was better, Harry Potter or Percy Jackson. Most of the boys had read all or a few of the titles in both series'. The debate could have went on for alot longer than an hour.
So, if you had to guess the verdict, what would it be? Would Harry have overthrown Percy? I hold my hand up and say that I was wrong on what I presumed would be the verdict. I presumed Harry would be the favourite but after deeply analysing the favourite and least favourite titles in each series, Percy appeared to be the winner. I must tell you however, that there was only one vote between both fantastical heroes. In a group of 10 boys, 6 insisted Percy was the better hero whilst 4 disagreed and vowed to endlessly support Harry.
'So why do you think both of these series' are two of the most popular with kids today?', I asked. 'They're both really relevant', suggested the mature 12 year old. 'Relevant?', I asked, 'how are two boys surrounded by mystical and magical forces and beings relevant to you guys?'. 'Because we're the same ages as both Percy and Harry. We're reading them at the age that they are in the books, this makes it relevant.' It did actually sound like alot of sense but I looked around at the other boys just in case. Nine nodding heads in agreement cemented that answer.
I then brought up the subject of the movies for each hero. One little guy was able to tell me numerous differences between the Harry books and the Harry movies. 'Does this annoy you?', I asked. 'Not in the slightest', he protested, 'I love watching the movies and working out the differences'. And on the coversation continued where I can absolutely reassure film directors that kids of today understand why you need to change certain details. They understand why you need to leave certain parts out. They forgive you but is there any chance that you could involve more explosions??!!
So, if you had to guess the verdict, what would it be? Would Harry have overthrown Percy? I hold my hand up and say that I was wrong on what I presumed would be the verdict. I presumed Harry would be the favourite but after deeply analysing the favourite and least favourite titles in each series, Percy appeared to be the winner. I must tell you however, that there was only one vote between both fantastical heroes. In a group of 10 boys, 6 insisted Percy was the better hero whilst 4 disagreed and vowed to endlessly support Harry.
'So why do you think both of these series' are two of the most popular with kids today?', I asked. 'They're both really relevant', suggested the mature 12 year old. 'Relevant?', I asked, 'how are two boys surrounded by mystical and magical forces and beings relevant to you guys?'. 'Because we're the same ages as both Percy and Harry. We're reading them at the age that they are in the books, this makes it relevant.' It did actually sound like alot of sense but I looked around at the other boys just in case. Nine nodding heads in agreement cemented that answer.
I then brought up the subject of the movies for each hero. One little guy was able to tell me numerous differences between the Harry books and the Harry movies. 'Does this annoy you?', I asked. 'Not in the slightest', he protested, 'I love watching the movies and working out the differences'. And on the coversation continued where I can absolutely reassure film directors that kids of today understand why you need to change certain details. They understand why you need to leave certain parts out. They forgive you but is there any chance that you could involve more explosions??!!