I've read all 4 and will be at the store at midnight tomorrow picking up a copy.
My son read the first book 3 years ago when he was 6. That was his first big book. He has read each one at least twice now and is eagerly awaiting the new book. I'm going to let him read it first since I leave for Phoenix for a week on Sunday. I have no doubt that when I get back he will be done with it.
The Harry Potter books were the first big series that he read. Since then he has read everything from Tolkien's books to War of the Worlds, Lord of the Flies, Tom Sawyer, Call of the Wild, and a ton of other classics. Got straight A's in school this year and hopefully will keep it up as he grows older. I'm sure he would have been reading even if there was no Harry Potter, but giving kids something they can relate to (kids their age having magic powers) helps fuel the desire to read more. My kid grew up in a comic store (no, we didn't drop him off there to be raised, I owned it) so he started out reading Dr. Suess, Batman, and Spider-man. I'm sure he will be warped from it somehow when he is older.
I actually enjoyed the books more than the movies. The movies have decent special effects and acting but the version I see in my mind is always better
