by Peter Leavell, @PeterLeavell

Harry Potter novels were hotly contested when I was growing up.

Group #1

Read them as quickly as possible 200 times, then look for more books to read.

Group #2

Bonfires flared as sects of Christianity threw the demonic influences into huge fires.

When I picked them up, I found myself in Group #1. And while I respect people finding literature they refuse to read, reactionary burnings show a lack of ability to critically think and skillfully debate. Just simple hatred.

What I found with Harry Potter was similar to The Da Vinci Code—something deeper than just simple good/bad.

The high numbers of sales reflect a deep well of utopian longing for readers to partake in a meaningful education and the hard-won pleasure of erudition. What does that mean?

Both Harry Potter and The Da Vinci Code highlight people getting an education or are educated, and their knowledge is gained and used in the events circling around them.

What does this mean for your work?

Educated characters are appealing. If you plan to write an educated character, it means you’ll need to learn as deeply as those who you are writing. Time to hit the books.

The process of learning is interesting. One of my favorite parts of The Lord of the Rings movies, or any movie, is the library/archives. Readers crave the moment of watching someone learn deeply, whether it’s Dr. Strange or Eragon or Gandalf. It’s inspiring.

Add libraries in your work. Old ones. Cherished ones. Every book you write should have books in them.

The learning process is highly appealing, and while some aren’t willing to partake in the work it takes to acquire a rounded education, they’re eager to read about others learning. Add this process to your books to add a dimension that appeals to a wide group of readers. After all, they’re reading not simply for pleasure, but to walk away with inspiration and new bits of knowledge.

Dino Hunters: Discovery in the Desert

Siblings Josh and Abby Hunter don’t believe their parents’ death was an accident. After taking pictures of the most incredible find of the 1920’s—proof humans and dinosaurs lived together in the same time and place—desperate outlaws armed with tommy guns are on their tail! Only Josh and Abby know where the proof is hidden—in the canyons of Arizona’s desert. When an intruder searches Josh and Abby’s bags inside their new home, the two convince their uncle Dr. David Hunter to return to the canyon and find the pictures they’d hidden. But the outlaws are just as eager to find the proof before Josh and Abby. Can Josh use his super-smart brain to outfox the villains in time? Will Abby’s incredible physical abilities stop full-grown men? And will their uncle believe them?
Dino Hunters is an apologetics-adventure series aimed at the middle reader to help them trust the Bible from the very first verse.