Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone

Title: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Author: J.K Rowling
ISBN: 9780439554930
Published: Sept. 1998
Genre: fiction, fantasy
Awards: British Book Award for Children's Book of the Year
Other Books in the Series: 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 and the Half-Blood Prince, and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Characters: Harry Potter, Ron Weasly, Hermoine Granger, Dumbledore, Hagrid
Reading Level: 6th grade
Interest Level: 4th-7th grade
Plot Summary: Harry's parents died when he was just a baby. Because of this Harry is living with his aunt and uncle who force Harry to live underneath the stairs. It's not a great life for hairy but just before his 11th birthday strange letters keep showing up for Harry that his aunt and uncle quickly take from Harry. Then one night a strange man shows and tells Harry that he has been invited to attend Hogwarts, a school for wizards. Harry soon learns that his parents were wizards themselves and we're killed by the most feared wizard Voldemort. It also seems that Harry survived the attack but has a lightening bolt scar on his forehead as proof. Harry is soon whisked out to Hogwarts where the magical world of wizards is shown to him. But it seems that something dark is threatening the wizard world and it may just be the man who killed Harry's parents.
Review: Harry Potter is now considered a classic, having launched a whole new generation of readers. Rowling creates a beautiful and magical world that a reader just finds themselves enwrapped in. The characters are relatable and lovable despite being magical wizards. Readers will want to be wizards themselves. Harry, while young, faces terrifying challenges and yet thanks to love, friendship and wit he is able to come out on top. It really is a wonderful story that will have the reader on the edge of their seat and excited to read more. The series does grow in maturity which is important to keep in mind when handing it to a young reader. Some of the later books in the series may be to scary or intense for younger readers. But the first book in the series is a wonderful introduction to the magical world of Harry Potter.
Reader's Annotation: Forced to live with his aunt and uncle after the death of his parents, Harry Potter never imagined that his life would be anything magical. Then, before his 11th birthday Harry found out he was a wizard and his world changed.
Main Themes: friendship, magic, good vs evil
Read Alikes: Midnight for Charlie Brown by Jenny Nimmo
Why for Tweens? Harry Potter will connect with tweens who fantasize about living in a magical world. There is also the fact that Harry Potter grows a bit in every book and tweens can really grow with this series as Harry faces not only the challenges of being a tween but also of being a magical wizard fighting evil.