Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J. K. Rowling (1998, Hardcover)

The story begins with Hagrid bringing the infant Harry to Privit Drive, where he links up with Professors Dumbledore and McGonnagal. Harry's parents were just killed by Voldermort, the most powerful dark wizard in history. Harry not only somehow survived Voldermort's attack, but the magical rebound destroyed Voldermort in the process. Dumbledore gives the orphan child to Petunia Dursley, Harry's aunt, to protect him until Harry becomes old enough to go to school.

In a very Brother's Grimm story line, Harry is treated less than kindly by his guardians and comes out of the experience humble but otherwise well adjusted. On his 11th birthday, Hagrid returns and explains to Harry that he is a wizard and is accepted to Hogwards School of Wizardry and Witchcraft.

At Hogwarts, Harry is awed by the wondrous workings of magic and quickly makes friends for life: Ronald and Hermione. Just as quickly, he meets the boy who will be a major nuisance for the rest of the series: Draco.

Harry has mixed success academically, but has especial trouble with Professor Snape. Snape has a loathing for Harry that goes back to when Harry's father was in school. To balance out his so-so book smarts and the irrational hatred of a professor, Harry learns that he is a natural at broom flying and makes school history by becoming a member of the Quidich team as a fist year student.

The real plot, however, centers around the Sorcerer's Stone, which is an enchanted chemical that can prolong life indefinitely or even raise the dead. Harry is certain that Voldermort, is after it. Harry and co race to discover its secret hiding place before Voldermort's minion does.

Rowling has created a rich world of magic that is believable. She blends an exciting mystery with fantastic fantasy. She was able to create a book that appeals to adults while still appropriate for younger children- no small feat at all.

Rowling fills her world with ghosts, animated paintings, moving stairs, shape changers, mythical beasts, interesting people and amazing spells. So much detail is given that she can easily hide important clues in plain sight. As a reader, it is easy to miss a clue because the mind is distracted with what the ghosts or paintings are doing.

Rowling provides many unique and interesting characters. No two are even close to being alike (excpet for the Weasly twins, but they are effectively one mind sharing two bodies). Only with the three main characters can the reader really identify with: Harry, Ron and Hermione. We get to see what is in Harry's mind because the story is told from his perspective. He is so close to the other two that we practically know what they are thinking.

I think what really sets this book apart from others of this genre is that she was able to bring traditional mythology to the modern world without being a revisionist. It is a pleasure to recognize the creatures from Bulfinch, Brothers's Grimm and other historical sources by how they look and act. Too many times when I read modern fantasy, if the writer did not give me the name of the monster, then I would never have reconginzed its origins.

John Holland-author of Necklace of Terrersylvanous

"Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone" is what started it all. A new generation of fairy tales and adventure. Join Harry Potter and jump into the world of wizardry that J.K Rowling has so vividly created. This novel is recommended people of all ages and interests. No matter who you are you will find yourself aiding Harry Potter and the gang against the most notorious villain ever created.
The first book in the series starts by informing the reader where Harry Potter started before he joins the wizarding world. He grew up with his Aunt, Uncle, and Cousin because his parents were killed in a mysterious accident. Harry is clearly the outcast in his family and is treated like a peasant by his Aunt and Uncle. It is clear that Harry has an unusual gift and can do very abnormal things. Soon to learn that his parents were indeed wizards, he is rescued from his miserable family and joins the wizarding world. His adventures start at Hogwarts School for wizards where you will find a whole new level of adventure.
Chapter to chapter you will join Harry and his friends in the life of a wizard. From school drama to near death experiences Harry does it all. When he encounters the most feared wizard, He-who-must-not-be-named, you will find that they have very similar pasts. Hands down Harry Potter is a book for everyone. Although it is somewhat a long read, you will not be able to put it down!

As a teacher I had never read the Harry Potter books. I was always "to busy" or "not interested" in reading a kids book.

Over the summer I decided to pick up a book that was left in my classroom and read it. I was treated to one of the more interesting stories that I have read in a while.

Harry Potter is a fantasy series written by JK Rowling. It revolves around Harry Potter and the magical world of Witches and Wizards. Young Harry's parents were attacked and killed by a powerful dark wizard named Lord Voldemort, when Voldemort attempts to kill Harry the spell backfires and Harry survives, but Voldemort does not.

The story moves forward to how Harry is hidden amongst "Muggles" or non-magical people in order to protect him from the Dark Lord's followers. In this life Harry is neglected and mistreated to the extreme. However, he eventually finds out that he is a wizard and is taken off to Hogwarts to go to school. It is at this school that he finds out he is famous.

The rest of the storyline revolves around a magical stone that Lord Voldemort's supporters are trying to get to bring the Dark Lord Back. It also has a bunch of great humour around Harry in school. By Far I think I love the Professor Snape character. He reminds me of many people I have taught with.

This book is by far more then just a "kids" book. I have enjoyed reading it and after watching the movie I find the book is way better. :)

A great start to what should become a great series!

5/5, a great read for any age.

Latsyrhc
Tamarack Collectibles

In 1998, I'd heard a rumble about this new book called Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone so I bought a softcover copy of it at the airport to read on my 3 hour flight home. I couldn't put it down. It was about this foster kid whom on his eleventh birthday learned that he was a wizard and would be attending Hogwart's - a boarding school for wizard's. From that point, he enters into this alternate magical world of mythical creatures like unicorns, dragons, hippogriffs, goblins and giants; he takes classes like Charms, Potions, Defence Against the Dark Arts, History of Magic and flying; and he learns he has a nemisis - Lord Voldemort. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone was the first book in this wonderfully, imaginative 7 book series which quickly became a worldwide phenomenon and made into eight visually beautiful and exciting movies. After reading that 1st book, I had to have a copy of all subsequent books immediately upon release and waited in long lines at midnight to get them. Since First Editions are typically always Hardcover, I needed to step back and replace my original airport softcover purchase to complete the set - as I planned to keep these books forever to be read and reread by my grandchildren. I highly recommend this book for young and old. J.K. Rowling's creative writing slowly and easily brings you into Harry Potter's world as he discovers it.

AS MUCH AS I LOVE TO READ, I HAVE NOT EVER READ THE FAMOUS HARRY POTTER SERIES. I JUST RECENTLY FINISHED OFF THE FIRST BOOK "HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE" AND I MUST SAY THAT I AM VERY IMPRESSED! THE BEGINNING OF THE NOVEL STARTS OUT KIND OF SLOW, BUT THIS IS ONLY BECAUSE HARRY IS FIRST LEARNING OF HIS WIZARD ABILITY AND OF HOGWARTS ITSELF. BY THE MIDDLE OF THE NOVEL, I WAS HOOKED. I DON'T THINK I HAVE EVER TURNED THE PAGES SO FAST IN A BOOK TO FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENED! WHAT I LOVE ABOUT J.K. ROWLING IS THAT WHEN SHE WROTE THIS BOOK SHE GOT TO THE POINT. TOO MANY NOVELS FOCUS ON ONE SINGLE EVENT AND IT OFTEN TAKES WRITERS 30 PAGES TO DO THIS. ROWLING KNOWS WHAT HER READERS WANT AND THIS IS WHY WE LOVE HER WRITING. THIS BOOK TELLS OF HARRY'S FIRST YEAR AT HOGWARTS AND THE FRIENDS (AND SOME ENEMIES) HE MEETS ALONG THE WAY. AMAZING BOOK AND RECOMMENDED TO ALL AGE GROUPS!