Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (1997)

This is the first book in the series. As such, it is the most juvenile (though not too juvenile for older readers) and lighthearted and easy to read book in the series because not only is the titular character just a boy (aged 11, of course), but one who is just discovering magic. So just being exposed to the newfound world where he can get away from the abusive Dursleys and the dull Muggle world, he sees it through the eyes of...well, someone who's just discovered it and hasn't had enough exposure to see the faults because everything is so new. Like when you discover a website and for the first few months or first year it seems wonderful and perfect and flawless and then over time the bad parts show their ugly heads. The writing is good and the characters are well-developed. ( )

**I purchased this book for my own reading pleasure, with no expectations of a review**

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is the first book in Rowling’s phenomenal Harry Potter series. This is the British version of the book, with the stone Flamel created properly called the Philosopher's Stone. Why the American release had to go and change it to the erroneous 'Sorcerer’s Stone’s still irks me after all this time.

I just reread this book, falling in love with it all over again. The first several of these books helped me get through a tough few years fraught with surgery after surgery. Having such a world to step into made all the difference in my recovery.

Harry Potter is the Boy Who Lived, his survival heralding the fall of the Dark Wizard Voldemort. Harry, then orphaned, was sent to live with his aunt, uncle, and cousin. Forced to live in the cupboard under the stairs, Harry did his best to keep to himself. For eleven years, Harry suffered neglect and emotional abuse. Then comes the day when a letter from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry comes for him. For several days, Harry’s Uncle Vernon keeps the increasing number of letters from Harry.

This is to no avail, as it means Hagrid, the gamekeeper at Hogwarts, comes to personally deliver the letter. Harry is stunned to learn he is a wizard, as his parents were. His aunt and uncle, ordinary Muggles, strive to make Harry 'normal’, and never told him of his parents. Harry is sent to Hogwarts, to learn of the world he was denied all his life. He makes new friends, and new enemies. He proves to take after his father, with a sense of adventure, and a sense of justice, both of which lead him to attempt to protect a priceless artifact he believes will be stolen. Granted, he did try to warn faculty, but they just couldn't fathom it possible that anyone could get to the artifact, through its protections.

I adore these books. Rereading it, I was reminded of how gritty it could be, for a young kids book. It deals with themes of child neglect and emotional abuse, bullying, murder, and even that children Harry’s age can be more mature than we credit. We, as a society, seem to have forgotten how quickly children used to need to grow up. There are also strong themes of live, friendship, and hope. Story is well-written and easy to lose oneself in. One series I always recommend!

🎻🎻🎻🎻🎻 Highly recommended ( )

Harry potter is a well known series. It starts off with Harry living with his aunt and uncle. He is pushed around by his cousin Dudley a lot. Harry soon finds out that he is a wizard when he is told by another wizard named Hagrid. Hagrid takes him to Diagon alley to buy him a wand and an owl along with books for a school named Hogwarts. Harry learns that he is the only survivor of a deadly curse. And by doing so he defeats the most evil wizard there was. His name was Voldemort.
Harry gets in the train and meets some new friends. Ron and Hermione are very nice to harry. Harry finds some enemies named Malfoy,Crabbe,and Goyle. When they arrive harry is admitted to the Gryffindor house with his friends. Harry goes through a series of adventures. Along with misadventures. witch lead to harry finding the sorcerers stone. ( )

Had so much fun reading this at night to my girls. My seven-year-old especially had a constant look of anticipation on her face and laughed at all the jokes. They both cried out for more every night when I declared that we had finished. ( )

This is my re-read of Harry Potter series. I read them for the first time about a year ago. Happy to say that it did not feel like a re-read, I generally knew the events that were about to happen, but I was still very immersed in the story. And still teared up at the end, when extra points were awarded.
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