[twigs]

I read two of them for the first time this summer, too. I thought they were horribly written, but I also think Rowling has a talent for plot development, which was far and away the best part of the books. I shudder to think that kids read these and think they are good.

[PurpleMan]

“I thought they were horribly written...”

Why?

Actually, it’s a 7 part story and the style develops through all 7.

[Stoat]

I shudder to think that kids read these and think they are good

At least they are reading SOMETHING and not spending 'all' of their time with Playstation, drugs, rap or TV.

Hopefully it will serve as a springboard into the classics for some at least.

And how many truly excellent titles are pushed by Oprah?  Sadly, anything that's wildly popular is not going to be eclectic, by definition.

[SuziQ]

I read two of them for the first time this summer, too. I thought they were horribly written,

OK, so she's not J.R.R.Tolkien or C. S. Lewis, but they're children's stories, and rollicking good reads!