Rowling's writing has garnered so much praise from adoring fans that most early negative criticism has dissipated. Whereas some critics of the series cite Rowling's childlike approach in her early novels, the later novels' growing complexity in character development and plot seem to impress most readers. Further, the novels' continuing entertainment value, through six long installments, has garnered Rowling much more praise than criticism. Her fanciful presentation of magical creatures, charms, and curses often delights the most cynical reader.

Academic scholarship began surrounding Rowling's work as the series progressed. Critics and literary scholars continue to generate serious literary analyses of the writing. Topic: The Washington and Jefferson College Review published a special edition focused on the Harry Potter books in 2004. A collection of scholarly essays on the Harry Potter series titled Scholarly Studies in Harry Potter: Applying Academic Methods to a Popular Text, edited by Cynthia...