I usually lurk to poach book suggestions (so thank you to all who have made book suggestions), but my kids just read the Lemony Snicket books, so I feel ready to comment.
DS8 has read all the Harry Potter books and loved them. However, we found that the books promoted negativity in him and definitely increased acting out. He started calling all of us blithering idiots and made several of his characters in play "mean" or "evil". Now, when he is angry or in a bad mood, he looks for a Harry Potter book. We got rid of them.
DD6.5 started reading the Harry Potter books, but said they were "too scary" and "not that interesting". She is very sensitive and has nightmares if she reads scary things.
Last week, we were snowed in and the kids read every single Lemony Snicket book. We saw no nightmares or acting out.
Other than the fact that they are funny, the thing I particularly like about the books is that they walk though the thinking on how to combat the villains without becoming villainous.
DD says the she wishes Lemony Snicket would write happier books, though.
