When The Black Stallion came out in about 1980 I heard discussion of it on NPR, and went to a theater to see for myself--the children were silent throughout. They were literally mesmerized by the film, and I would expect that effect from Harry Potter.

I read all four Potter novels out loud to my children (and I don't think they need to be 10 to read it), and agree with remarks above, that they aren't written for reading out loud, not like The Hobbit or other excellent children's books like Charlotte's Web, Stuart Little, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and many others by authors of that ilk.

A couple of years ago I read an interview that J.K. Rawlings was concerned about how the books would translate to film. This morning on NBC's Today Show it was reported that she loved the movie, and had been asked to collaborate with the director on the film. That probably helped.

As a human being, it sounds like Rawlings deserves all of the praise heaped upon her. For example, she donated ALL of the proceeds from two small Potter companion books to the British Comic Relief organization--they approached her hoping she'd autograph a few books they could auction off, and instead they probably realized millions from her generous act. She had the presence of mind to insist that the publishers, printers, distributors, etc. not take any profits from the works, everyone donated to the cause.