Well, I voted for LotR, because it is clearly the better classic

But, I think that has more to do with the fact that LotR is an adult series, no matter the fact that many of us probably read it in our early teens. It definitely has more depth; literary, philosophical, social, etc.
On the other hand, HP is a children`s series, no matter the fact that many of us read it as adults

. So, of course it will be less heavy. How else are kids as young as 7 and 8 supposed to get it? And, aside from bringing Fantasy to the main stream, I think HP should also be lauded for bringing young kids (especially boys) to reading, and for paving the way for a whole range of new books geared to inquisitive and rambunctious kids (everything from Percy Jackson to Captain Underpants!). I remember the deserted landscape we had in terms of reading when I was 7, 8, and 9. Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys was about it! It wasn't until we moved to an area where the local librarian know about science fiction and fantasy that I discovered authors like John Christopher and Lloyd Alexander. These types of books just weren't in the main stream. So, I really value what HP has done for kids, kid's fiction, and the fantasy and sci-fi genre. And I will certainly be giving the HP books to my kids in the future.
But, when they are a bit older, I will give them LotR
