Woman to Appeal Harry Potter Decision

The Associated Press

ATLANTA (AP) -- A suburban Atlanta mother who claims Harry Potter books teach children witchcraft said Wednesday that she will appeal the state?s decision to keep the best-selling books in Gwinnett County school libraries.

Laura Mallory, who has three children in elementary school, said she has requested an appeal of her case to Superior Court.

Mallory has tried to ban the books from Gwinnett County school library shelves since August 2005. She argues that the popular fiction series is an attempt to indoctrinate children in witchcraft.

School board members said the books are good tools to encourage children to read and to spark creativity and imagination. In May, the county decided to deny Mallory?s request.

The state Board of Education backed Gwinnett?s stance in December, voting without discussion to uphold the county?s decision.

Mallory said she?s ready for a legal fight. She said she?s already contacted a potential expert witness to lend support to her case. And she said supporters who urged her to continue the case have sent her ?significant donations? to help pay legal fees.

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