Note: There may be mild spoilers ahead for anyone who has not yet read the Harry Potter series, particularly "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows."

If you're a geeky Auntie like me, you've been looking forward to the seventh in what will be an eight-film series of the Harry Potter book adaptations: "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part I." November 18 just can't come quickly enough!

While the movies will never top the books, I still relish that sense of communal excitement that occurs while attending midnight showings in full Hogwarts regalia. I'm very much looking forward to taking my nephew by choice to see the new movie, and we are powering through the final book so he is well-prepared to see it.

Chances are, your nieces and nephews are looking forward to this movie, too - and they may even ask you to take them to the theater.

First, the movie is rated PG-13, so if your nieces and nephews are tweens or younger, check with mom and dad before agreeing to take them.

The film is also nearly two and a half hours long, so be sure your nieces and nephews can pay attention for that length of time without getting antsy and disturbing others in the theater.

For kids younger than 13 who are allowed to see the film, be sure they can handle the story. The Harry Potter books were, indeed, written for children, but the stories grew along with the main characters from late childhood through early adulthood.

The themes and images in each book are progressively more complex and scary, and may lead to disturbing thoughts and fodder for overactive imaginations. If your niece or nephew is easily scared, this is not the movie for them.

The title doesn't lie: there is a lot of death in Deathly Hallows. Many characters die, including ones that have been in the story since its very first chapters. If your niece or nephew is sensitive to images (or implied images) of people or animals dying, you may want to skip Hallows and watch it in a few years instead.

While there will be many exhilarating sequences, there will also be many scenes of violent battles and attacks. Be sure that your niece or nephew (and her or his parents) are ok with that.

Be prepared to answer questions. If you haven't read the books yet yourself, Auntie, you may want to check out a synopsis online - or, find yourself a friendly Potter geek who would love to enlighten you!

Regardless of their ages, talk with your nieces and nephews after they've seen the movie. Ask about their favorite and least favorite parts, or the parts that they may have questions about.

And we at Savvy Auntie encourage you to read to your nieces and nephews every chance you get, so read - or listen to - the series together if you haven't already!

Melanie Linn Gutowski, Savvy Auntie's Associate Editor, is a proud Godmother and ABC.

Published: November 10, 2010