This is hype from the publisher no doubt.
If you went back in time and released this book head to head with HP, it would not even be a blip.
Barnes and Noble lists HP and the Halfblood Prince as the top bestseller in the last year (Jan through Aug). Not Children's bestsellers but the top book overall.
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/bestsellers/warnew_rnav.asp?PID=6878&userid=Zh172WtBFv
I remember when Hillary's (ghostwritten) book came out. The HP book came out and beat everything including Hillary's book. The NYT actually started breaking HP out to say Hillary was the top book.
Rowling is not scared of the competition. This book ain't it. She has 6 books or sets on the BN top 100. This book isn't there. I'd almost dare anyone to name one other book in the top ten. They appear pretty obscure to me. Say the new Harry Potter is coming out and kids are at BN parties at midnight. I doubt that will happen with this book.
Did you take your daughter to the last party?
DK
we did go, that morning I said ok I will read all 6 before 7 comes out.
ps: i have seen the HP movies and played all the HP ps2 games, but never got around to the actual books until this summer.
Another note... I thought the Bible was the #1 all time best seller book.