Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
From ChildLitWiki
Contents |
Illustrated by Mary Grandpré
Series Title: Harry Potter
Number in Series: 1
Notes
Bibliographic Data
Original Publication Date: 9/1/98
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Imprint:
ISBN: 0590353403
Hardcover Price: $16.95
Paperback Price: $
Number of Pages: 309
Best for ages: 8-12
Library of Congress Descriptor: Rescued from the outrageous neglect of his aunt and uncle, a young boy with a great destiny proves his worth while attending Hogwarts School for Wizards and Witches.
Best of Year Lists: Publishers Weekly Best Books, School Library Journal's Best Books, Booklist Editors' Choice, ALA Notable Books for Children
Review Citations: Booklist, The Bulletin, Horn Book, Kirkus Reviews, Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal
Categorization
Type of Book: Chapter/Fiction
Genres: Fantasy
Topics and Themes: Orphans, Magic, Wizards, Kids Fighting Adults, Kids Who Save the Day, School, Friendship, Read Aloud, Boarding school, Fantasy, Fantasy Series, Learning Magic, Kids with Secret Powers
Summary
After his parents are killed when he is just a baby, Harry Potter is sent to live with his awful uncle and aunt and their horrible son, Dudley. Ten miserable years later, despite the uncle’s frantic efforts to prevent it, a genial giant named Hagrid invites Harry to join Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Thus is opened before Harry a magical world that secretly exists side-by-side with our ordinary one.
Among the wizards, witches, and other magical beings inhabiting this world Harry is already famous as the child who somehow survived the attack, by the evil sorcerer Voldemort, which killed his parents. At Hogwarts Harry discovers he has an aptitude for magic and for the school sport, Quidditch, a cross between soccer and war played high in the sky on broomsticks.
Reviews
Of all the author’s fantastic creations Quidditch is the most marvelous. In fact, Harry’s life and education in this unforgettable boarding school could easily have carried the whole novel, but there is much more: Voldemort is trying to regain power, one of the teachers may be helping him, and only Harry and his friends can stop him.
Among the many pleasures of this humorous and exciting novel is Harry’s competence. For once the hero is not a clumsy oaf who only redeems himself at the end. Instead, Harry, though modest, shines right from the day he enters Hogwarts and, though not loved by all, is neither an outcast nor inept. Not only does this make a better story, but it also provides a terrific resource for the fantasy lives of young readers. -- Matt Berman, Family Wonder and Common Sense Media
After his parents are killed when he is just a baby, Harry Potter is sent to live with his awful uncle and aunt and their horrible son, Dudley. Ten miserable years later, despite the uncle’s frantic efforts to prevent it, a genial giant named Hagrid invites Harry to join Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Thus is opened before Harry a magical world that secretly exists side-by-side with our ordinary one. Among the wizards, witches, and other magical beings inhabiting this world Harry is already famous as the child who somehow survived the attack, by the evil sorcerer Voldemort, which killed his parents. At Hogwarts Harry discovers he has an aptitude for magic and for the school sport, Quidditch, a cross between soccer and war played high in the sky on broomsticks.
Of all the author’s fantastic creations Quidditch is the most marvelous. In fact, Harry’s life and education in this unforgettable boarding school could easily have carried the whole novel, but there is much more: Voldemort is trying to regain power, one of the teachers may be helping him, and only Harry and his friends can stop him.
Among the many pleasures of this humorous and exciting novel is Harry’s competence. For once the hero is not a clumsy oaf who only redeems himself at the end. Instead, Harry, though modest, shines right from the day he enters Hogwarts and, though not loved by all, is neither an outcast nor inept. Not only does this make a better story, but it also provides a terrific resource for the fantasy lives of young readers. -- Matt Berman, The New Orleans Times-Picayune and Children's Book Award Annual
Excerpt
Harry sniffed and a foul stench reached his nostrils, a mixture of old socks and the kind of public toilet no one seems to clean. And then they heard it -- low grunting, and the shuffling footfalls of gigantic feet. Ron pointed--at the end of a passage to the left, something was moving toward them.
Publisher Info and Jacket Copy
Relateds
Other Books by J. K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Harry Potter, Book 5)
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince (Harry Potter, Book 6)
Movie Version
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (movie)
Other Editions
Concerns
Violence: Some magical fighting among students, and between Harry and Voldemort. Quidditch is a violent sport. A description of a hooded man drinking blood from a recently dead unicorn.
Behavior: The main characters frequently break school rules, though for the best of reasons.
