Great replies so far, keep 'em coming!
I haven't completely given up on the series. Like CutiePie mentioned, I was a bit astonished (but pleased) that an author dared to address issues of racism/classism in a book that's ostensibly for children. I recently read a critical piece that did a "queer" reading of the books, and that's what made me decide to keep reading until I finish the series.
I guess what got to me was that it seems that the first two books were about 65% exposition, 35% actual plot. I did like the second book a bit better than the first, and I'm 14th in line for book 3 at my local library. I should have it sometime before the new year.
