Dear Amy: My husband and I have temporary custody of our 10-year-old granddaughter “Sophie” because her mother (our daughter) is currently in court-ordered rehab for her long-standing drug addiction. Our granddaughter’s father is not in the picture.

We believe our daughter is earnestly trying to recover from her addiction, but we have been to this particular party a few times and we are realistic about the fact that we might be raising our granddaughter more or less permanently.

Sophie is a great kid! We’re fairly youthful and healthy and honestly we’ve adjusted and are enjoying our experience of “re-parenting.”

An aunt gave Sophie the first Harry Potter book for Christmas, and she has really been enjoying it. She is glued to the book after school, and during dinner she catches us up on the plot.

During a call with her mother, Sophie related her excitement about the book.

Her mother contacted us and raised a lot of objections to her reading this book. Her points were sort of all over the place, but she acted offended and asked us to take the book away and choose “more appropriate” material for her daughter to read.

We want to respect her interest in this and we want to keep the communication open, and so we’re not sure how to respond. Should we give in?

– Concerned Muggles

Dear Muggles: Your daughter is trying to control you. This might be a sign that her recovery has hit a snag, or that she is frustrated and antsy. This issue could become a stand-in for her grief over losing in-person contact with her child.

I think you should respond calmly and honestly. Don’t let this become “a thing.”

Assure her that you will read the book with her concerns in mind and that while “Sophie” is with you you’ll be mindful of her mother’s concerns, but that because she is living with you, you will be the primary people to make these types of decisions.

Encourage her to stick with her program. Being in recovery is the best parenting choice she could possibly make.

You can email Amy Dickinson at [email protected] or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068.