---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: 'Harry Potter' achieved a very special…"
description: "\"'Harry Potter' achieved a very special act of actual magic: it made it completely acceptable for an adult to carry around, read and enjoy a children's ..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/13b/maureen-johnson-1282_acceptable_harry-potter-achieved-a-very-special-act_2272501.png"
---

#  'Harry Potter' achieved a very special act of actual…

![“'Harry Potter' achieved a very special act of actual magic: it made it completely acceptable for an adult to carry around, read and enjoy a children's book.” quote by Maureen Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/13b/maureen-johnson-1282_acceptable_harry-potter-achieved-a-very-special-act_2272501.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/13b/maureen-johnson-1282_acceptable_harry-potter-achieved-a-very-special-act_2272501.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/13b/maureen-johnson-1282_acceptable_harry-potter-achieved-a-very-special-act_2272501.png)

> “'Harry Potter' achieved a very special act of actual magic: it made it completely acceptable for an adult to carry around, read and enjoy a children's book.”

[Maureen Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-johnson/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The series normalized adults reading children's literature, breaking age‑based reading stereotypes.

**In simple terms:** Adults can enjoy kids' books without stigma.

Key Takeaway

Embrace reading that delights you, regardless of age.

Themes

reading age stereotypes literature

Mood

nostalgic open‑minded

Type

inspirational cultural

When to use this quote

- book clubs
- family reading nights
- personal leisure
- educational settings

Key Concepts

cultural shift literary acceptance

Questions to Reflect On

- Do you limit yourself by genre?
- How does genre affect your reading choices?

A Different Perspective

Some may view children's books as lacking depth for adult readers.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/book/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Children'S Book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children-s-book/) [Harry potter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/harry-potter/) [Magic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/magic/)

## Related quotes

> [Harry Potter achieved a very special act of actual magic: it made it completely acceptable for an adult to carry around, read and enjoy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-johnson/harry-potter-achieved-a-very-special-act-of-actual-magic-it-made-it/)

[Maureen Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-johnson/)

> [I liked the idea of having actual magic performed as stage magic, so you could assume that it was just a trick, that something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-morgenstern/i-liked-the-idea-of-having-actual-magic-performed-as-stage-magic-so/)

[Erin Morgenstern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-morgenstern/)

> [“It is impossible to control outcomes or results, although most of us have been programmed from a very young age to believe otherwise. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-dines/it-is-impossible-to-control-outcomes-or-results-although-most-of-us/)

[Christopher Dines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-dines/)

> [“Magic?" Akiva had asked. "What bird does this come from, that its bone are made of magic?" "Oh, it's not magic. The wishes don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laini-taylor/magic-akiva-had-asked-what-bird-does-this-come-from-that-its-bone-are/)

[Laini Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laini-taylor/)

> [For me, 'Harry Potter' isn't something that changed my life. It's just something I did that was a lot of fun and I got…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-lewis/for-me-harry-potter-isn-t-something-that-changed-my-life-it-s-just/)

[Matthew Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-lewis/)

> [There's only one test of a great children's book, or a great children's film, and that is this: If it can be read or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-jones/there-s-only-one-test-of-a-great-children-s-book-or-a-great-children/)

[Chuck Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-jones/)

> [I do feel even though now I'm acting, I still feel like I'm going to do a lot of other things, like write a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-fox/i-do-feel-even-though-now-i-m-acting-i-still-feel-like-i-m-going-to/)

[Julia Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-fox/)

> [“As adults we choose our own reading material. Depending on our moods and needs we might read the newspaper, a blockbuster novel, an academic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mem-fox/as-adults-we-choose-our-own-reading-material-depending-on-our-moods/)

[Mem Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mem-fox/)

> [Is it like a Harry Potter thing?" He turned his head then. "A what?" "A Harry Potter thing," she said again. "You know, don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-briggs/is-it-like-a-harry-potter-thing-he-turned-his-head-then-a-what-a/)

[Patricia Briggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-briggs/)

> [Librarians lend people books from the library. The best librarians are children's book librarians.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-scarry/librarians-lend-people-books-from-the-library-the-best-librarians-are/)

[Richard Scarry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-scarry/)

> [Anything can become a children's book if you give it to a child...Children are actually the best (and worst) audience for literature because they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-scott-card/anything-can-become-a-children-s-book-if-you-give-it-to-a-child/)

[Orson Scott Card](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-scott-card/)

> [My process is surprisingly straightforward. I find myself with little to do over a stretch of time and I say, "I should write children's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ian-black/my-process-is-surprisingly-straightforward-i-find-myself-with-little/)

[Michael Ian Black](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ian-black/)

> [“CUSTOMER: Do you have this children's book I've heard about? It's supposed to be very good. It's called "Lionel Richie and the Wardrobe.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jen-campbell/customer-do-you-have-this-children-s-book-i-ve-heard-about-it-s/)

[Jen Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jen-campbell/)

> [“As she drove the Trace, each curve revealing a scene rich with life and as picturesque as illustrations from a children's book, Anna was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nevada-barr/as-she-drove-the-trace-each-curve-revealing-a-scene-rich-with-life/)

[Nevada Barr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nevada-barr/)

> [People say to me, ‘How do I know if a word is real?’ You know, anybody who’s read a children’s book knows that love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-mckean/people-say-to-me-how-do-i-know-if-a-word-is-real-you-know-anybody-who/)

[Erin McKean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-mckean/)

## More by Maureen Johnson

> [“Knowledge is the heaviest weight of all.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-johnson/knowledge-is-the-heaviest-weight-of-all/)

[Maureen Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-johnson/)

> [There is no normal. I've never met a normal person. The concept is flawed. It implies that there is only one way people are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-johnson/there-is-no-normal-i-ve-never-met-a-normal-person-the-concept-is/)

[Maureen Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-johnson/)

> [I may have been a complete lunatic, but I was a complete lunatic with manners.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-johnson/i-may-have-been-a-complete-lunatic-but-i-was-a-complete-lunatic-with/)

[Maureen Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-johnson/)

> [This kind of thing always amazed Ginny--people who just walked away from institutions. People who left school when they didn't see the point. Aunt…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-johnson/this-kind-of-thing-always-amazed-ginny-people-who-just-walked-away/)

[Maureen Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-johnson/)

> [Did you hear?" he asked. "They found another body around nine this morning. It's the Ripper, definitely." "Good morning," I replied. "Morning. Listen to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-johnson/did-you-hear-he-asked-they-found-another-body-around-nine-this/)

[Maureen Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-johnson/)

> [She was standing in the airport of Copenhagen, staring at a doorway, trying to figure out if it was (a) a bathroom and (b)…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-johnson/she-was-standing-in-the-airport-of-copenhagen-staring-at-a-doorway/)

[Maureen Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-johnson/)

> [When I worked in theater, I was always writing things on Post-it Notes and sticking them on screens or desks. Twitter has given me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-johnson/when-i-worked-in-theater-i-was-always-writing-things-on-post-it-notes/)

[Maureen Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-johnson/)

> [She had always thought applying to college would be exciting. Living away from home, meeting so many new people, Learning new things, making a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-johnson/she-had-always-thought-applying-to-college-would-be-exciting-living/)

[Maureen Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-johnson/)

> [“Vitamin D,” Stevie said. “You need it.” “You don’t know that,” he said. “I want to eat my meat in my room with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-johnson/vitamin-d-stevie-said-you-need-it-you-don-t-know-that-he-said-i-want/)

[Maureen Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-johnson/)

> [No one hid their interest when I walked into the room. I'm not sure if it was the news about Boo or my general…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-johnson/no-one-hid-their-interest-when-i-walked-into-the-room-i-m-not-sure-if/)

[Maureen Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-johnson/)

> [You'd been petting a stuffed dog?' she said 'A dead one?' 'It was a really well stuffed dog' I clarified. 'I have seen some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-johnson/you-d-been-petting-a-stuffed-dog-she-said-a-dead-one-it-was-a-really/)

[Maureen Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-johnson/)

> [“When she emerged, Keith was watching the tiny round window of the under-the-counter washing machine. "Put your clothes in for a wash," he said.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-johnson/when-she-emerged-keith-was-watching-the-tiny-round-window-of-the/)

[Maureen Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-johnson/)

> [“For you, there is underage, and then, there is underage. I believe a taste of wine is perfectly acceptable, but please stick to one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-johnson/for-you-there-is-underage-and-then-there-is-underage-i-believe-a/)

[Maureen Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-johnson/)

> [Rory: "People are being serious." Jazza: "There's a serial killer out there. Of course people are being serious." Rory: "Yeah, but what are the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-johnson/rory-people-are-being-serious-jazza-there-s-a-serial-killer-out-there/)

[Maureen Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-johnson/)

> [Boo: "Go talk to her." Callum: "About what?" Boo: "Anything." Callum: "You want me to walk up to her and say, 'Are you a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-johnson/boo-go-talk-to-her-callum-about-what-boo-anything-callum-you-want-me/)

[Maureen Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-johnson/)

[Explore all 262 Maureen Johnson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-johnson/)

## More Acceptable quotes

> [The inner defenses are unconscious. They consist of a kind of magic aura which the mind builds around cherished belief. Arguments which penetrate into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-koestler/the-inner-defenses-are-unconscious-they-consist-of-a-kind-of-magic/)

[Arthur Koestler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-koestler/)

> [I remember being a kid and seeing the 'National Inquirer' at the grocery store checkout line. When somebody actually picked up a copy, it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rashida-jones/i-remember-being-a-kid-and-seeing-the-national-inquirer-at-the/)

[Rashida Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rashida-jones/)

> [Finally, the scariest thing about abuse of any shape or form, is, in my opinion, not the abuse itself, but that if it continues…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-cumming/finally-the-scariest-thing-about-abuse-of-any-shape-or-form-is-in-my/)

[Alan Cumming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-cumming/)

> [You cannot have 300-some million Americans - and really, right, the global citizenry be at risk of having their phone conversations intercepted with a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-lieu/you-cannot-have-300-some-million-americans-and-really-right-the/)

[Ted Lieu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-lieu/)

> [THE REAL PURPOSE OF HOLOCAUST REVISIONISM IS TO MAKE NATIONAL SOCIALISM AN ACCEPTABLE POLITICAL ALTERNATIVE AGAIN.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-covington/the-real-purpose-of-holocaust-revisionism-is-to-make-national/)

Harold Covington

> [The government has once again made the right socially acceptable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elfriede-jelinek/the-government-has-once-again-made-the-right-socially-acceptable/)

[Elfriede Jelinek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elfriede-jelinek/)

> [The study of Freemasonry is the study of man as a candidate for a blessed eternity. It furnishes examples of holy living, and displays…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-howard-taft/the-study-of-freemasonry-is-the-study-of-man-as-a-candidate-for-a/)

[William Howard Taft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-howard-taft/)

> [Or why it is acceptable to train fast runners and high jumpers but not to breed them. I can think of some answers, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/or-why-it-is-acceptable-to-train-fast-runners-and-high-jumpers-but/)

[Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/)

> [As the future is never known with certainty, the evaluation of the prospective benefits requires the formation of expectations. An acceptable house, partner or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-t-mortensen/as-the-future-is-never-known-with-certainty-the-evaluation-of-the/)

[Dale T. Mortensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-t-mortensen/)

> [If a man is pictured chopping off a woman's breast, it only gets an R rating; but if, God forbid, a man is pictured…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sally-struthers/if-a-man-is-pictured-chopping-off-a-woman-s-breast-it-only-gets-an-r/)

Sally Struthers

> [We cannot guess the outcome of our actions... Which is why our actions must always be acceptable in themselves, and not as strategies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carolyn-heilbrun/we-cannot-guess-the-outcome-of-our-actions-which-is-why-our-actions/)

[Carolyn Heilbrun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carolyn-heilbrun/)

> [In any case, open-seat presidential elections like 2008 just are different in character from incumbent reelects, and I think that's the most important thing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-kristol/in-any-case-open-seat-presidential-elections-like-2008-just-are/)

[William Kristol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-kristol/)

> [It's horrible how money and fame can make you acceptable while, if you're not famous or rich, you're not acceptable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruno-tonioli/it-s-horrible-how-money-and-fame-can-make-you-acceptable-while-if-you/)

[Bruno Tonioli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruno-tonioli/)

> [I disagree with the prevailing point of view of some black leaders that special treatment for blacks is acceptable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clarence-thomas/i-disagree-with-the-prevailing-point-of-view-of-some-black-leaders/)

[Clarence Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clarence-thomas/)

> [We get used to a certain kind of colour of form or format, and it's acceptable. And to puncture that is sticking your neck…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-krasner/we-get-used-to-a-certain-kind-of-colour-of-form-or-format-and-it-s/)

[Lee Krasner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-krasner/)

Browse all 750 Acceptable quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "'Harry Potter' achieved a very special act of actual magic: it made it completely acceptable for an adult to carry around, read and enjoy a children's book.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Maureen Johnson"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-johnson/harry-potter-achieved-a-very-special-act-of-actual-magic-it-made-it-2/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Acceptable"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-johnson/harry-potter-achieved-a-very-special-act-of-actual-magic-it-made-it-2/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/13b/maureen-johnson-1282_acceptable_harry-potter-achieved-a-very-special-act_2272501.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/13b/maureen-johnson-1282_acceptable_harry-potter-achieved-a-very-special-act_2272501.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/13b/maureen-johnson-1282_acceptable_harry-potter-achieved-a-very-special-act_2272501.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“'Harry Potter' achieved a very special act of actual magic: it made it completely acceptable for an adult to…” — Maureen Johnson",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Maureen Johnson",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-johnson/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "'Harry Potter' achieved a very special...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-johnson/harry-potter-achieved-a-very-special-act-of-actual-magic-it-made-it-2/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-johnson/harry-potter-achieved-a-very-special-act-of-actual-magic-it-made-it-2/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
