The fourth book has my vote. Think of everything that happens- Quddich World Cup, the Dark Mark, finding out about the world-wide magic community; the ministry;other schools; tall, dark and sultry Krum and thats all before we even get on the train!!! Then there's all the thrills and spills of the tasks PLUS character development- Ron being jealous, Hermione being torn in two, Harry with a crush, Percy and all the Weasley's, Rita, Moody, Crouch, Cho, Cedric and Wormtail becoming more 'real' ADDED to the plot shifts- Voldemort back, Dumbledore in conflict with ministry... - AND the thriller twist- WOW!!

I love every book for separate reasons and as a big picture but the plot of every other book can be summed up in 25 words or less I reckon. No way with no.4.

The first is an amazing book too (in Australia it's Philosopher's Stone- weird). If it wasn't for that 1st brillant little tome.. well... we wouldn't be here today. The second book holds a very special place in my heart because- fool that I am- I did not see the Tom Riddle/ Voldemort thing. The third of course is wonderful because of the Sirius twist :Harry found God........father (heehee). Though I've read it 3 times, in comparisson it's a pity about the 5th then really hey? Maybe we shouldn't rush JKR after all? We'll see....