I personally hate it when HP is referenced as some golden standard of ability. I don't believe it is a good pick for a kid of that age, but not because it is scary. The kid might be able to decode it, but not really understand it. Much of the vocabulary is too advanced:

Chortle
Contrary
Hoodlum
Snivel
Gargoyle
Apothecary
Befuddle
Phoenix
Prefect
Drone
Chivalry
Baron
Bewitch
Gaunt
Sally
Infusion
Burly
Smarmy
Keen
Askew
Jostle
Wheedle
Luminous
Tureen
Inferno
Stifling
Stoke
Utter
Ajar
Furor
Palomino
Clamber
Imprecise
Fret
Tendril
Petrify
Hygienic
Abysmal

This is a very small sampling. Kids reading = great. But this is not a great pick for kids who are 5 or 6.

Anonymous wrote:I read a post on the NYT's parenting board that a mom let her 1st grade kid read the last Harry Potter, but wouldn't let him read A Wrinkle in Time. I've read them both repeatedly and recently, and was bewildered. I'd reverse those. I really don't think I'd let a child under 8 or so read the first few Harry Potters, and then another couple years for the rest. But my kid is still 5, so never say never, I suppose.

Yes, HP is emotionally challenging. Not so much the first few, but numbers 4 and up get increasingly dark. Torture, fear, death, despair.

A Wrinkle in Time creeped me out. It still does and I'm 40. Weird ass book. I wouldn't let a 5 year old near it. HP is better for kids 8 & up. Kinda cruel to let your kid read the first few books and not finish the series for a couple of years.