<throws sporks all over the roadway and blows a whistle into a megaphone plugged into a PA system>
... The discussion here, to get back on topic, is Harry Potter
And I own all the books. I am 34 yo (in a week) and happy to tell *ANYONE* that I read the books. Those who give you quizzical looks, need to get the rubber bands out from around their... <body> ... parts as it's such a crock that "you're not macho" or "manly enough" if you read.
I read All the Harry Potter books, and will be in line the night/day the next book is released in the near future. I look forward to the next movie with great anticipation. I also read George R. R. Martin, David Eddings, Terry Brooks, and Robert Jordan... But they too have children and adults with magical abilities, so it must all be childrens' books.
Yes. Harry Potter was originally written as a kids book. It was intended for much more past the 2nd book after the fame of the 1st swept it away. Regardless... how many adults have read "A Wrinkle in Time", "A Tale of Two Cities", & "Swiss Family Robinson" *as* adults? Saying books are for kids only is ridiculous, unless you are actually talking about picture books, which are aimed for infants and toddlers
I read "Swiss Family Robinson" and "Treasure Island" when I was 7 years old, and I read them again as a teenager in school, and again later in life.
It's all perception... I consider it a matter of society being narrow minded when books are labeled as "childish" when they also pertain and have subject matter adults can relate to. Just my two copper though.
Now... Parry Hotter ?err... Harry Potter?