Say you've spent the first 10 years of your life sleeping under the stairs of a family who loathes you. Then, in an absurd, magical twist of fate you find yourself surrounded by wizards, a caged snowy owl, a phoenix-feather wand, and jellybeans that come in every flavor, including strawberry, curry, grass, and sardine. Not only that, but you discover that you are a wizard yourself! This is exactly what happens to young Harry Potter in J.K. Rowling's enchanting, funny debut novel, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. In the nonmagic human world--the world of "Muggles"--Harry is a nobody, treated like dirt by the aunt and uncle who begrudgingly inherited him when his parents were killed by the evil Voldemort. But in the world of wizards, small, skinny Harry is famous as a survivor of the wizard who tried to kill him. He is left only with a lightning-bolt scar on his forehead, curiously refined sensibilities, and a host of mysterious powers to remind him that he's quite, yes, altogether different from his aunt, uncle, and spoiled, piglike cousin Dudley.
A mysterious letter, delivered by the friendly giant Hagrid, wrenches Harry from his dreary, Muggle-ridden existence: "We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." Of course, Uncle Vernon yells most unpleasantly, "I AM NOT PAYING FOR SOME CRACKPOT OLD FOOL TO TEACH HIM MAGIC TRICKS!" Soon enough, however, Harry finds himself at Hogwarts with his owl Hedwig... and that's where the real adventure--humorous, haunting, and suspenseful--begins.

After all the hype ends and the movies have been made and forgotten, these books will still be on the lists of "Children's Classics." This book is the fairy tale, the boy who spent his first decade locked in a cupboard who discovers he can fly; the boy who was unloved who discovers the greatest friends. With only hints of some of the compexities and darkness of the later books, there is a charm to Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone that makes it my favorite of the series, even though my son and my friends who have read it find it a bit childish compared to the sequels.

Parents: the above-mentioned movies, hype, marketing crap, etc. seem to be targeting children who may not be old enough to actually read the books. Book 1, I believe, can probably be read by average 4th or f5th grader, and probably enjoyed by 3rd or even 2nd graders who are either advanced readers or have the books read to them.

excellent-no matter what age you are

Harry Potter has never been the star of a Quidditch team, scoring points while riding a broom far above the ground. He knows no spells, has never helped to hatch a dragon, and has never worn a cloak of invisibility. All he knows is a miserable life with the Dursleys, his horrible aunt and uncle, and their abominable son, Dudley; a great big swollen spoiled bully. Harry's room is a tiny closet at the foot of the stairs, and he hasn't had a birthday party in eleven years. But all that is about to change when a mysterious letter arrives by owl messenger; a letter with an invitation to an incredible place that Harry and anyone who reads about him will fine unforgettable. For it's there that he finds not only friends, aerial sports, and magic in evreything from classes to meals, but a great destiny that's been waiting or him... if Harry can survive the encounter.

Will go down in history as one of the most famous children's books!

Harry Potter is pretty cool- definitely more cool than Harry Connic Jr. at least.

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This is the first book in the Harry Pottewr series. This is the story of a boy named Harry whose parents are killed by a dark lord named Voldemort. So Harry is put with his muggle Aunt, uncle and cousin. the Dursleys. These people treat Harry like he is nothing and completely cut him off from the world. This is the story of how he goes to Hogwarts' School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and escapes the Dursleys and has an adventure.

It's Harry Potter what can I say. He teachs us about courage, friendship, respect, love, the importance of history and destiny. Read a dozen times and will read again.

How can I say anything bad about Harry Potter. I cut mt fantasy teeth and these books. Have read the entire series who knows how many times. Love them all! Great reads for everyone!

The first Harry Potter book.

It's Harry Potter!!!!

Great book.

Start the adventure with the first book! You will find yourself wanting to read more.

Found it very BORING.

This is the first book in the H.P. series and is a good read.

Hardback book. We lost the dustjacket.

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