For legions of Harry Potter fans, the global phenomenon unleashed by English author J.K. Rowling 10 years ago is reaching its peak with the seventh and final installment of the series, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," set to be released to the public at 12:01 a.m. Saturday.

For young and not-so-young readers, the burning question is this: What will happen to Harry and his friends?

"I think Harry is going to die. Rowling has to kill him off because it's the final book," 8-year-old Eric Lopez said Thursday at a "Wizardry and Literacy" camp in Oak Park, where the magical adventures of Harry Potter were front and center.

"I think Harry will live, and Hermione and Ron will start dating," said Lauren Cohen, 9, who has read all the books in the series. "I can't wait to read the last book."

Books entertainment, teaching tool

"The kids are very excited about the last book in the series and wonder what will happen to Harry," said the camp's director, Kelly Salisbury, who teaches fifth grade at Big Springs Elementary School in Simi Valley. The camp was presented by the Creative Acting Theatre School, a group that works with parks and recreation departments in Ventura and Los Angeles counties.

"The Potter books inspire the imagination of kids, and also help them build vocabulary," Salisbury said. "At our camps, we enable kids to express themselves and their love of books."

Most kids attending the camp agreed that the final installment will put Harry face to face with his nemesis, Lord Voldemort.

"Harry, Hermione and Ron will defeat Voldemort or die trying," said Shruti Aggarwal, 10, who has read all of the Harry Potter books three times.

Librarian will be in line at midnight

"Rowling's books have caught fire with kids," said Cindy Bouvier, children's librarian at the Simi Valley Library. "Her books appeal to all age groups because she is an incredible writer who has revolutionized children's and young adult literature. I will be at our local bookstore at midnight to buy the book. My 37-year-old daughter will be, too."

Denise Bean White of Ventura said that she and her daughter will also buy the book at midnight.

"It's an age-old story, as ancient as Cain and Abel, but told in a new way," said White, a devoted fan of all the Potter books.

Chris Culver, children's librarian at the Camarillo Library, wonders what life will be like without Harry, now that the book series is about to end.

"I don't know what will replace these amazing books. I've seen the Potter books turn reluctant readers into avid readers," Culver said.

"There's been some controversy here and there with the occult and magic themes, but these books have started a new trend in reading," she said. "I'm very sad to see the series end."

As the clock counts down to the midnight hour when the characters' fates will be unveiled, bookstores are celebrating the magical world of Harry Potter with costume parties, trivia contests, wizardry games and more.

Biggest book of year for booksellers

"This is the biggest book of the year for every bookseller. I can't imagine another book that could eclipse this one," said Kate Schwab, Ventura County's district marketing manager for Borders books.

Sean Sundwall, spokesman for Amazon.com, said that 1.4 million books have already been sold on the Amazon Web site.

"The demand for this book is absolutely enormous. It's the biggest selling book in our history," he said.

Deborah Lee, a department manager for the Barnes & Noble bookstore in Thousand Oaks, said she expects the crowds to be the largest ever.

"We have no set time for closing Friday night. We'll close when the last customer leaves with book in hand," she said.

Adventures for Kids bookstore in Ventura will stage three magician shows from 9 p.m. until midnight. "We've cleared out a lot of space to make room for the crowd we expect," said owner Barbara O'Grady.

Parents are also big fans

For Wayne and Nancy Boyce of Camarillo, the Potter books have brought their family national celebrity. They and their 12-year-old son, Daniel, were flown to New York City to take part in the book's midnight countdown at Times Square, hosted by Scholastic books, the book's U.S. publisher. Daniel is one of 18 past Harry Potter essay contest winners invited to attend.

"I'm excited to be in New York because there's so much to see. I love the Potter books and hope Harry doesn't die in the last one," said Daniel.

His parents are dedicated Harry Potter fans as well.

"These books have instilled a love of reading in him," Nancy Boyce said.

"Her books probe the nature of good and evil, and have a deeper meaning about life in them," Wayne Boyce said. "It's great that Daniel and other kids can enjoy her books as much as we do."