book review on harry potter and the sorcerer's stone

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Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone Book Review

The Harry Potter series has been around for awhile now and has cemented itself into the fantasy genre. Though some may not take the series at the same level as a Lord of the Rings or a Wheel of Time, it deserves its own place at the table of fantasy book series. Today we are going to be looking at the first installment to the series Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and let you know what really makes this book magical.

Introduction to Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

book review on harry potter and the sorcerer's stone

This book’s first edition was released in October of 1998 and was written by J.K. Rowling. The book is 309 pages long not including any table of contents. The pages are spread by 17 chapters. My copy has the illustrations at the top of each chapter, I am not sure if this is something that has changed in the many editions that have been released since.

The book starts off introducing the wizarding world from the vantage point of the Dursley’s who we later find out are the Aunt and Uncle of Harry Potter, a boy who’s parents were murdered while he managed to survive. The attack on Harry’s parents left a signature lightning bolt scar on his forehead.

This was a fantastic way to introduce a new different world to an audience and is done in a very creative way. I must applaud J. K. Rowling for setting up the story in this way as even though this book is fast paced, it steeps the reader into the world from a perspective that would likely be more like our own.

The story then takes a time leap to when Harry has grown up and gets a letter of acceptance into the magical school called Hogwarts. The Dursley’s are very against this and do whatever they can to keep Harry a normal boy in their eyes. They fail in this after taking drastic measures to stop the letters from being sent in larger and larger quantities. So the rest of the book is Harry Potter’s introduction to the the magical world that is unknown to us “Muggles” (the name given to non magical people).

Strengths of The Sorcerer’s Stone

This book has a lot going for it that will be reiterated as we continue on through the story. The descriptions are very vivid of locations and items as well as character motives. This leads to a pretty laid back and easy read. Understandably these books are children books, anyone of any age can enjoy these books though and really appreciate everything else they have to offer for a relatively small time commitment based on this books size.

The school year structure of this book and the subsequent books makes for a really easy method to control pace for the story. The ending ties in many story notes from earlier on in the book such as learning magical spells that come in handy at the end of the book, playing a game of chess. Paying attention in potions class. Even getting onto the schools Quidditch team (Which can be best defined to me as football on brooms.) plays a role in the end. Though it may seem silly how many points in the story are later used at the end to accomplish the overarching story, it satisfies me knowing that next to every chapter has meaningful content to the end goal in some way or another.

Character Introductions In Sorcerer’s Stone

Character introductions are very well done. It takes very little for each character to be painted into the mind of the reader as well as share the base level motives and beliefs of each. Though later books handle these ideas in a more deep and complex manner, the method that is done in this book tends to match the age of the characters in the book which is around 11. The way J K Rowling rights this allows for easy understanding and the same level for children around the age of these characters as they can relate to what is happening in the book easily.

Ron Weasly’s introductions feel like a introduction of kids becoming friends on their first day of school, and that is exactly what it is. Most people can relate to an introduction like that cause we have all experienced it in a way ourselves.

Hermione’s introduction is well handled also. Though not the same experience as Ron, we are treated to her joining the group later on in the story. I feel that this was a good idea as to not overload the reader with new characters right away. This allows for the descriptions of Hogwarts to fill in that space and establish the world better instead of create a bogged down character spaghetti.

Weaknesses of The Sorcerer’s Stone

Reading the book as an adult can make the resolution of these books seem childish and that is something that will continue on through most of the series as the characters are literal children. For this book specifically it would make one wonder why grown adults that have been through school themselves would not be able to accomplish simple puzzles that the trio Harry, Ron, and Hermione could do.

The book ends rather abruptly. The last chapter contains the end of the story as well as the final confrontation. This seemed rather jarring to me. I feel that it could have been handled with whole additional chapter that expands slightly on Harry’s return to the muggle world and show that he has learned that not all is the same as when he left. That he as a character has definitively grown apart from the wishes of his Aunt and Uncle and has a hunger to return back to the wizarding world.

Plot of The Sorcerer’s Stone

The plot of the book once the book has made it to the wizarding world and Hogwarts is very school oriented as well as getting Harry Potter situated in the wizarding world. When Harry finds that Hagrid, the groundskeeper of Hogwarts has helped the headmaster named Albus Dumbledore hide a mysterious item, he and his friends jump into action figure out what the item is and protect it. Along the way they get into trouble a few times leading them to go into several restricted sections of the castle that only increases their curiosity.

Throughout the book Harry also learns a lot about who he is and about his parents since they went to the same school of Hogwarts as himself. He also needs to come to terms with being a celebrity in the wizarding world that he has only just now discovered.

In the end, this book is an example of a series that can be enjoyable for children and adults. It’s a perfect book to grab and start reading to your kids, but also is a strong escapism book. It’s incredibly easy to get enveloped in the story and the characters. Everything is so well crafted and put together. Descriptions are rich and characters are well thought out and developed, especially for just the first book in a series of books.

If you want to find out where this book ranks in the series you can check out our ranking list for the Harry Potter book series here !

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone is a must read. Regardless of your age. If you have not read this book please take the time to do so, if just to understand why so many people love this series. If you want to pick up this book for yourself, you can use our affiliate link here. It helps out the site at no extra cost to you. I personally have all my books in a hard cover due to wanting them to all be in the same print format and the larger books tend to have weak bindings over time.

If you enjoyed this review, please share this around and comment below. What are your thoughts on the book? How does it compare to later books in the series? Comment below and let us know! We plan to review this entire series and then review all the movies as well. So check back, for more on this series in the future!

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Books of Brilliance

The latest book reviews and book news, harry potter and the sorcerer’s stone: book review.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone novel by J. K. Rowling

A novel that needs no introduction is Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J. K. Rowling. It is the novel that has shaped the lives of millions of readers and is still one of the most read novels today! Keep reading to find out why this novel and series is as popular as it is.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone Summary

On his eleventh birthday, Harry Potter finds out he is a wizard and will be attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Before then, Harry did not even know that magic was real or that he was famous. As Harry learns about his past and his parents who died protecting him, he prepares to embark on a new journey.

Harry arrives at Hogwarts and becomes friends with two of his classmates Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger. The trio all are members of house Gryffindor and help each other pass the first year at Hogwarts. But as they find out throughout the course of the year, they will face many challenges and enemies.

Suspicious activity at Hogwarts like a three-headed dog guarding a trap door and a troll somehow entering and attacking Hogwarts makes the trio suspicious. Harry, Ron, and Hermione soon discover Professor Dumbledore is hiding something at Hogwarts and someone is trying hard to steal it. As the first years try to manage the workload, they must also stop whoever is after the secret artifact before it is used by the dark forces at the school.

Originally published as Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone in the United Kingdom in 1997, within the first six months of release, the children’s book took off. When Scholastic bought the U.S. rights, Scholastic’s Arthur Levine believes that the title wouldn’t work for American readers. After some discussion, the novel’s title was changed to Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone which was suggested by Rowling.

Rowling went on to say that she wished she hadn’t changed it but since it was her first novel, she didn’t have as much leverage. The title change was not necessary and makes it a bit confusing for some people. The good thing is that that is the only novel where that happened. Maybe Scholastics should give readers a little bit more credit.

I was first introduced to the Harry Potter world by the movies. As a kid, I was always intimidated but the size of the Harry Potter novels and did not believe I would be able to read a book that big. It was later on in my life that I tackled bigger novels and even later when I finally read the Harry Potter novels.

I fell in love with the novels wholeheartedly. The writing is great, the characters are wonderful, and the overarching plot and how everything connects was done perfectly. One thing the movies never did well was showcase Harry’s struggle of not having a family and his loneliness. In the novel, we see how they affect Harry’s state of mind and acting out because of those feelings, something the movies don’t do that well.

This novel and the whole Harry Potter series should be read by every reader in my opinion. Not everyone has to like it but reading it and finding that whether you do or not should be a test given to everyone. It will get a lot if children into reading and that is always a great end result. Expect reviews for all the novels in the series in the coming months!

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Share this:, 27 thoughts on “ harry potter and the sorcerer’s stone: book review ”.

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In the first paragraph u wrote eep instead of keep… XD

Thanks I’ll fix it now 🙂

I used to be a huge fan of the movies but never read the books. It’s always interesting to hear the differences. Good to know that the book expands on the characters a bit more!

The entire series ends differently in the books than in the movies. the boom ending in Deadly Hallow makes much more sense.

My daughter made sure all her copies were the the UK versions

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these series made a reader out of me, thanks for sharing 🙂

Thanks for reading! 👍

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I also saw the movies first. It wasn’t until after “The Goblet of Fire” film came out that I started reading the books. But I read the 4th one first, and the rest out of order, until “The Deathly Hallows” book was released. Not too long ago, I started rereading the 1st “Harry Potter” novel, and picked up on some new details and moments that I’d missed before, including some dark ones.

Rereading them now and there’s a lot that you realize that you missed. Rowling thought it all out!

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I love Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s stone also known as. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.

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The cover was good, but I read a little, and I thought that if I read more it would be more interesting. Well, beyond interesting, but my new favorite book!

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Supposedly Fun

Book review: harry potter and the sorcerer’s stone, by j.k. rowling.

Perhaps nostalgia is a powerful steam engine, but I got lost in the first book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone every bit as easily as I did back in the day. There was definitely an element of comfort and familiarity at play as I got pulled back into the story. Pulling this book off the shelf was like visiting with a beloved friend you haven’t seen in a long time for a hearty meal.

But you can’t put it all on nostalgia. That takes away from the effortless charm and breezy wit Rowling employs in building the world of Harry Potter in this first installment. She makes this introductory volume less plot heavy in order to focus on world building without overwhelming the reader. The plot isn’t so much about a hero and a villain like all the others would be (the villain is practically an afterthought). Here, the plot is about Harry’s first year at Hogwarts. As such, we get to follow along on the journey and get to know all about what it is to be a student at Hogwarts–and a wizard living in this world. With this framework established, Rowling would be able to play about more boldly in subsequent books.

It also allows Rowling to keep the focus light and airy. Sorcerer’s Stone is solidly in the intermediate level. As the series progresses it will get darker, trending further and further into the young adult level–aging along with Harry himself and the seriousness of the dangers he faces. In comparison to where we’re going, Sorcerer’s Stone is practically a children’s book. Even Harry’s concerns in this book are childish. His biggest goal here, at age 11, is winning the house cup for Gryffindor. For context, by the time Harry is fourteen in book four the house cup will barely even rate a mention. Even Quidditch will barely factor into the later books. To be fair, by the end a lot of heavier plot devices have been set in motion that make it impossible to include everything that happens in a school year. But the point stands: at this point in time, Harry has a lighter view of the world and lighter cares. Winning the house cup means the world to him because he can’t imagine anything worse than being a loser anymore.

The fact that Rowling makes plot take a backseat to world building is probably a smart decision in the long term, but there’s no denying that it makes the conclusion problematic. Because there has to be a showdown of some sort, and she needs to get to work setting up Voldemort’s eventual return, otherwise Sorcerer’s Stone would go nowhere and it wouldn’t do a proper job setting up the conflict Harry will face over the course of seven books. So the villain plotline is relegated to a subplot that gets teased out in hints and details here and there, finally coalescing into something actionable only in the last forty pages. At that point it feels rushed, slightly haphazard, and doesn’t come together. Just as it’s forming, we get a deus ex machina to take care of everything. I suppose that makes sense considering that Harry only just learned that he’s a wizard–there’s no way he would be able to believably win a fight against a powerful wizard, especially one powered by Voldemort. Employing a deus ex machina allowed Rowling to hew closer to the reality of Harry being a child. Having someone else essentially fight the battle here makes it more effective when he grows up and fights his own battles beginning in the next book.

Except there’s also no denying that the plot, as much as there is one, doesn’t make much sense if you stop to think about it. There are entire plot points built around the flimsiest of premises. So when we’re expected to follow the reality of Harry’s youth sidelining him from the big fight at the conclusion just as it’s about to get interesting, we’re also somehow expected to believe that Harry, who has never flown on a broomstick, is such a natural at it that he’s not only good at it but he becomes the youngest player on his house’s Quidditch team and gets himself out of serious trouble simply by being so inherently good at it. That’s problematic. More problematic for 33 year-old me to accept than 18 year-old me. I was more willing to check my brain at the door and go with the flow as a youth, I suppose.

To be fair, it doesn’t help that the market is currently saturated with “chosen one” stories that have essentially ripped off Harry Potter. 18 year-old me would naturally have an easier time going with the flow in a story like this because I wouldn’t have learned to be jaded by all the low-quality imitators glutting the market. The very fact that Rowling attempts a balance puts Harry Potter head and shoulders above the pretenders to its throne (most of whom now also wear the dystopia badge after The Hunger Games ). Even here, when she is introducing her protagonist, Rowling was never interested in making Harry perfect. Yes, he’s impossibly brave and noble. Yes, he tends to make the difficult choices in order to do what’s right. But he’s also impetuous. He has a temper at times and can be stubborn. He can be misled. He can even be rude and thoughtless.

But I’m getting ahead of myself. Sorcerer’s Stone is still great, charming fun, even if it was a little disappointing to realize how shallow it is. It does an excellent job of setting up the drama to come, but that’s about it. I’d probably grade it a touch lower, but in the end I appreciate that the time Rowling spends establishing what a typical year at Hogwarts is like in this book allows her to use that framework to break those very boundaries in subsequent installments.

Read on for more about this installment. Or check out my Harry Potter page for more. Up next: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets .

New Characters

Defense Against the Dark Arts Teacher

Professor Quirrell has precious little to recommend him or make him memorable, despite his passion for turbans and his zest for garlic. Until his villainous reveal, that is. But since the action of Sorcerer’s Stone is relegated to the background until the final forty pages–and Quirrell only spends twenty of those pages in the spotlight. As DAtDA professors go, Quirrell is far and away the most forgettable of the lot. Which shouldn’t really be allowed to happen since the dude has Voldemort living on the back of his head . I mean, that should count for something, right? Grade: 2/5

Special Artifacts or Spells

Harry spends most of the book obsessed with his Nimbus 2000 broomstick, but of course the entire book hinges on the safety of the titular Sorcerer’s Stone (known in the UK as the Philosopher’s Stone). The Sorcerer’s Stone is the creation of alchemist Nicolas Flamel and using it can grant a person immortality. Dumbledore has it moved to Hogwarts to protect it, but Professor Quirrell and his oversized Voldemort pimple quickly infiltrate the school and conveniently take the entire school year to figure out how to get beyond the defenses Dumbledore set up around it. Nevermind that the centerpiece of those defenses, the Mirror of Erised (which shows you your heart’s deepest desires) spends half the school year located somewhere else so Harry can stumble on it, see his parents, learn an important lesson, and understand how the mirror works when he encounters it in the final showdown. Harry also gets his first uses of his invisibility cloak , a tool which will allow him to sneak about the school for years to come.

The State of Harry’s Legacy

Solid as a rock. In this super-wholesome entry everything is sunny all the time, so no one other than Draco Malfoy or Severus Snape (or the Dursleys) would dare question Harry Potter’s noble intentions or do anything but admire him for being ‘the boy who lived.’ Harry won’t get his first taste of suspicion or fear until the next book in the series, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets , and even that will look tame compared to what lies in store in the future.

Dumbledore Wisdom

In his introduction Albus Dumbledore remains a peripheral character, albeit one of striking nobility, honor, wisdom, and wit. It’s no mistake that Dumbledore serves as the novel’s deus ex machina. The impression he makes on Harry Potter–and us–will have repercussions throughout the series. Rowling goes to great pains to establish Dumbledore as a great and honorable man, then in the later books will force us to question his every method, just as Harry will be forced to do the same. But that’s later. For now he’s just lovable old sweets-loving Dumbledore, spouting wise turns of phrase like a fortune cookie. Here are his best bits of wisdom from Sorcerer’s Stone :

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Book Review & Discussion: Harry Potter & The Sorcerer’s Stone

THIS BOOK! ⚡ This book has literally triggered a cultural revolution. It has impacted so many lives and influenced so many minds. It’s crazy to even think about how much one boy living in one magical world created by one author could change so many lives.

I first read this book in fifth grade, but I skimmed through it without really appreciating everything for what it was. Last month, I started listening to the Harry Potter audiobooks on Overdrive through my public library’s online catalog. 🎧 Let me just say…If you haven’t listened to the Harry Potter audiobooks…YOU NEED TO!! It’s like a movie but 8 hours instead of 2!! It’s incredibly convenient to listen to throughout my day (eg. walking between classes, eating lunch, sitting on a toilet)

Spoiler-Free Summary: I mean you should know already, but basically, Harry Potter is an orphan who discovers that he’s a wizard on his 11th birthday. Follow him on his journey to the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry! DUN DUN DUN.

This book deserves all the stars. It’s a 5/5 from me. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The writing is extremely simple and direct, but it’s super easy to read and follow. The world created is so firetrucking magical. ✨ There’s nothing like it. I mean, there’s a reason why this book fostered a million dollar franchise. I absolutely love this book, and the audiobook will make you love it more (#SponsorMeAudible). 10/10 recommend! 💯

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD

The Characters

I grew up viewing Hermonie as a role model, and I can definitely draw parallels between the 11-year-old witch and my younger self. Of course, I was never as cool or smart, but the insecurities any girl has as a preteen are universal. We’re worried about friends and how we appear to others in school. 📚 We want to succeed but that sometimes comes off as showing off. Whenever I see news of Emma Watson today or the latest Harry Potter movies, I always forget that Hermonie was once like me. Before she becomes the brightest witch of her generation, she is a teenager who’s still trying to figure everything out.

Harry is a boy who has gone through so much. My life is extremely smooth sailing compared to his, but the major lesson he has taught me is resilience . Life is unpredictable. One minute you’re an orphan boy living under a staircase…the next you’re a famous celebrity.

Ronald Weasley. I’m so excited to see him grow throughout the rest of the series. Even in the first book, you can tell he has a good heart and is maturing along. Yes, he does treat Hermonie very rudely, and that is inexcusable. However, seeing the trio grow as friends really warms my heart. I think the greatest showmanship of his character is during the chess game when sacrifices himself. In the movie, Ron is sitting on a horse which gets destroyed, but in the books, Ron actually subsitutes the chess piece. He literally gets b*tch slapped by the Queen chess piece!!

I always forget that the plotline in the books is so much more extensive and intricate than the plotline of the movies. Tons of things are explored more such as Hagrid and his pet dragon.

The Writing

Like I said in the intro of this blog post, the writing is very simple and direct. ✏️Personally, I like it because it’s so much easier to visualize each scene. If you’re older, you may find it very childish or juvenile, but since this book caters to a younger demographic, I really don’t think that’s a fair area to criticize the book.

This book is definitely very information loaded. However, JK Rowling strikes a good balance of educating the reader on the fictional wizarding world and experiencing the story seamlessly.

The Audiobook Experience (Bonus)

It was so easy for me to just put on headphones and listen to 5-10 minutes of the story as I walked to class. Usually, during lunch, I scroll through my Instagram feed and eat my meal. 📱With an audiobook, I can do the same thing! You know how the Youtube app is incredibly annoying because you can’t close the app and multitask on your phone? That’s not a problem with an audiobook. You can do both at the same time!!😱 #SponsorMeAudible

In Conclusion

If you purchase the paperback or hardback version from Book Depository , I make a small commission which helps keeps my blog running. 🛍️ They have free shipping worldwide, so talk about a win-win solution!

HAVE YOU READ The Sorcerer’s Stone? WHAT WERE YOUR THOUGHTS? LET ME KNOW IN THE COMMENTS! 💕

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

By j.k. rowling.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone is one of the most popular children's books ever written. It is a story about the triumph of love and bravery over evil.

Article written by Mohandas Alva

M.A. Degree in English Literature from Manipal University, India.

‘ Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone ‘ is a very engaging read for children and adults alike. Since it is the first book in this series, we are introduced to an entirely new world in this book. The world of magic slowly builds itself as we read through the book. The genius of this book is using the protagonist Harry’s discovery of this world to parallel the readers’.

Furthermore, despite several hardships and literally being an orphan who never knew love, Harry still recognizes love and affection when he sees it. While this book is memorable for a plethora of reasons, some elements of Rowling’s writing triumph as winners.

Discovering the Story World and Magic as a Metaphor

J. K. Rowling does a great job writing this story with an omniscient third-person narrative but still keeping the narrator wherever Harry is for a major part of this book. This makes the reader’s fascination and interest in the world of magic as new and real as Harry’s. We are introduced to several facts and significant peculiarities of the world of magic, all of which seem very consistently developed, adding authenticity to it.

While there are a lot of similarities between the real world and the world of magic, the differences are usually peculiar and downright funny at times. Platform nine and three-quarters, running through a brick wall, ghosts roaming freely and talking to living people, and many other peculiarities add to the charm of creating an interesting story world. One could go on to theorize that calling non-magic people muggles and portraying the Dursleys as ordinary people who hate things like magic has a metaphorical purpose.

It furthers the cause and appeals to the readers to be more imaginative and creative. Magic is a metaphor for imagination in this case. The Dursleys are scared of anything out of the ordinary. They spend their entire day doing mundane tasks they assign meaning to and criticize almost anything and anyone that doesn’t fit their design.

On the contrary, Harry, despite being ill-treated and not loved by the Dursleys, has a flair for imagination and creativity. It didn’t take very long for him to get used to the wizarding ways, and he very clearly had the potential to do great things after all. This book is, in its essence, an inspiration for readers to make dreams come true and bravely follow their dreams despite obstacles. It is an apt narrative for children who, at their age, tend to discover new things and ideas to develop.

Good vs Evil and Heroism

The trope of a savior standing up to the tyrant is not new. However, ‘ Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone ‘ being a children’s book, delves into this slowly. When Harry is unaware of magic and thinks that his parents died in an accident, he is a normal child with very little to think about good, evil, and the need for heroism.

However, once he is informed of the actual circumstances of his parents’ death and after discovering magic, he gains new insights, and his worldview significantly changes. His sense of responsibility and the need to stop Voldemort at any cost from getting to the Philosopher’s Stone set the path for his heroism. This transition happens slowly, yet it feels very natural. He doesn’t know what he will do if he faces Voldemort. Despite this naive understanding of the consequences, he still chooses to face Voldemort.

This portrayal of heroism is quite commendable as it appeals to the very cause of wanting to stop the wrongdoing. The fact that an eleven-year-old boy and his two friends thwart a feared dark wizard from stealing the Philosopher’s Stone in a school that has so many adults who are way more experienced and well-equipped to do it portrays heroism in its purest form. Heroism is more the choice to take action against evil than the ability to stop evil. This book does a good job illustrating this subtlety.

Sacrifice in Harry Potter

Sacrifice is an essential part of this novel. The story of ‘ Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone ‘ uses sacrifice to define both friendship and love. Harry’s parents die because they sacrifice themselves to protect Harry. Ron sacrifices himself while playing Wizard chess. Several people who fought in the war against Voldemort sacrificed themselves for the well-being of the collective community.

The trope of sacrifice plays a major role in setting up differences in morality between the good and the evil. As Dumbledore points out to Harry, Voldemort does not understand love. The fact that Harry understands love and values it, sets a specific difference in the choices that Harry and Lord Voldemort make.

Harry is willing to sacrifice himself when he takes over the task of protecting the Philosopher’s Stone. On the contrary, Voldemort uses others for his selfish motives. This stark difference between willing to sacrifice oneself and using others as a shield to protect oneself makes all the difference and definitively separates good and evil in this book.

Why was Harry Potter banned?

Harry Potter was banned in a catholic school in Nashville, Tennessee, because of fear of evil spirits. Some other places have also banned Harry Potter books for similar religious fears. Some religious leaders were concerned that the spells and enchantments mentioned in the book were real and that they could summon evil spirits and dark magic.

Is Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone worth reading for an adult?

‘ Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone ‘ is definitely worth reading for an adult. While it was written as a children’s book, it has outlived this label, and there are people of all ages who not only read these books but also engage in community discussions and have fun playing games inspired by these books. Many people have found reading this book a very rewarding experience, as is evident from the sales and fame this book has garnered across all demographics.

Should I read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone or watch the movie?

While the movie is undoubtedly well-made and a thrill to watch, the books are far more detailed and a very thrilling read. Most people who have both read the books and watched the movies always choose the former as a better experience. Furthermore, there are several interesting and amusing characters and scenes in the book that the movie couldn’t incorporate. So, one would be missing out on a lot if one doesn’t read ‘ Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. ‘

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone Review - A Thrilling Read

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone Digital Art

Book Title: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

Book Description: 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone' by J.K. Rowling is an enchanting, generation-defining tale of a young wizard's magical journey.

Book Author: J.K. Rowling

Book Edition: First UK Edition

Book Format: Hardcover

Publisher - Organization: Bloomsbury

Date published: June 26, 1997

Illustrator: Thomas Taylor

ISBN: 1-4088-5565-2

Number Of Pages: 309

Writing Style
Lasting effect on the reader

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone Book Review

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J K Rowling is a thrilling read that hooks the reader from page one. Published in the year 1997, it is one of the highest grossing novels ever written. Some elements of the novel like its elaborate yet accessible world-building makes it a very entertaining read for children and adults alike. It follows the story of an orphan boy named Harry Potter who realizes he is a wizard and the rest of the book records his journey as a young wizard in Hogwarts, a school of magic. This book, and the series as a whole have been a definitive part of an entire generation’s childhood and have garnered very high praise as an entertaining read.

The plot is entertaining and is a very immersive read.
Has a lot of early lessons for children on morality.
The characters are well developed and the story world is well structured and interesting.
The writing style may be a bit rudimentary for adult avid readers.
Several instances of Deux Ex Machina make the protagonist’s position very safe and lacking any real danger.
Some mild instances of body shaming exist within the novel.

Harry Potter Quiz

Summon your wit and wisdom—our Harry Potter Trivia Quiz awaits you! Do you have the knowledge to claim the title of Master Witch or Wizard? Take the challenge now!

1) What does the Mirror of Erised show?

2) What specific type of dragon does Harry face during the Triwizard Tournament?

3) Who is the Half-Blood Prince?

4) What form does Hermione Granger's Patronus take?

5) Who originally owned the Elder Wand before Dumbledore won it?

6) Who teaches Herbology at Hogwarts?

7) What potion is known as "Liquid Luck"?

8) Who was the Peverell brother that owned the invisibility cloak?

9) What is the core ingredient of the wand owned by Harry Potter?

10) What is the name of the book Hermione gives to Harry before his first ever Quidditch match?

11) What are the dying words of Severus Snape in both the book and the film "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows"?

12) In the "Order of the Phoenix," who is NOT a member of the original Order of the Phoenix shown in the old photograph that Moody shows Harry?

13) In which Harry Potter book does Harry first speak Parseltongue?

14) Which creature can transform into a person's worst fear?

15) Which potion did Hermione brew in her second year that allowed her, Ron, and Harry to assume the identities of Slytherins?

16) What is Dumbledore's full name?

17) What was the last Horcrux to be destroyed?

18) What is the name of the goblin who helps Harry, Ron, and Hermione break into Gringotts?

19) Which object is NOT one of the Deathly Hallows?

20) What does the incantation "Obliviate" do?

21) What animal represents Hufflepuff house?

22) What is the name of the goblin-made object that is supposed to bring its owner prosperity, but also brings them into conflict with goblins?

23) Which spell is used to open the Marauder's Map?

24) What is the effect of the Cheering Charm?

25) What creature is Aragog?

26) What is the name of Harry Potter's pet owl?

27) What is the name of the train that takes students to Hogwarts?

28) Which character is killed by Bellatrix Lestrange in the Battle of Hogwarts?

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About Mohandas Alva

Mohandas is very passionate about deciphering the nature of language and its role as a sole medium of storytelling in literature. His interests sometimes digress from literature to philosophy and the sciences but eventually, the art and craft of narrating a significant story never fail to thrill him.

About the Book

The Harry Potter section of Book Analysis analyzes and explorers the Harry Potter series. The characters, names, terminology, and all related indicia are trademarks of Warner Bros ©. The content on Book Analysis was created by Harry Potter fans, with the aim of providing a thorough in-depth analysis and commentary to complement and provide an additional perspective to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

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HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE

From the harry potter series , vol. 1.

by J.K. Rowling ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 1, 1998

It’s slanted toward action-oriented readers, who will find that Briticisms meld with all the other wonders of magic school.

In a rousing first novel, already an award-winner in England, Harry is just a baby when his magical parents are done in by Voldemort, a wizard so dastardly other wizards are scared to mention his name.

So Harry is brought up by his mean Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia Dursley, and picked on by his horrid cousin Dudley. He knows nothing about his magical birthright until ten years later, when he learns he’s to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Hogwarts is a lot like English boarding school, except that instead of classes in math and grammar, the curriculum features courses in Transfiguration, Herbology, and Defense Against the Dark Arts. Harry becomes the star player of Quidditch, a sort of mid-air ball game. With the help of his new friends Ron and Hermione, Harry solves a mystery involving a sorcerer’s stone that ultimately takes him to the evil Voldemort. This hugely enjoyable fantasy is filled with imaginative details, from oddly flavored jelly beans to dragons’ eggs hatched on the hearth.

Pub Date: Sept. 1, 1998

ISBN: 978-0-590-35340-3

Page Count: 309

Publisher: Levine/Scholastic

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1998

CHILDREN'S SCIENCE FICTION & FANTASY

Share your opinion of this book

THE GIRL WHO DRANK THE MOON

by Kelly Barnhill ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 9, 2016

Guaranteed to enchant, enthrall, and enmagick.

An elderly witch, a magical girl, a brave carpenter, a wise monster, a tiny dragon, paper birds, and a madwoman converge to thwart a magician who feeds on sorrow.

Every year Elders of the Protectorate leave a baby in the forest, warning everyone an evil Witch demands this sacrifice. In reality, every year, a kind witch named Xan rescues the babies and find families for them. One year Xan saves a baby girl with a crescent birthmark who accidentally feeds on moonlight and becomes “ enmagicked .” Magic babies can be tricky, so Xan adopts little Luna herself and lovingly raises her, with help from an ancient swamp monster and a chatty, wee dragon. Luna’s magical powers emerge as her 13th birthday approaches. Meanwhile, Luna’s deranged real mother enters the forest to find her daughter. Simultaneously, a young carpenter from the Protectorate enters the forest to kill the Witch and end the sacrifices. Xan also enters the forest to rescue the next sacrificed child, and Luna, the monster, and the dragon enter the forest to protect Xan. In the dramatic denouement, a volcano erupts, the real villain attempts to destroy all, and love prevails. Replete with traditional motifs, this nontraditional fairy tale boasts sinister and endearing characters, magical elements, strong storytelling, and unleashed forces. Luna has black eyes, curly, black hair, and “amber” skin.

Pub Date: Aug. 9, 2016

ISBN: 978-1-61620-567-6

Page Count: 400

Publisher: Algonquin

Review Posted Online: May 13, 2016

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2016

CHILDREN'S ACTION & ADVENTURE FICTION | CHILDREN'S FAMILY | CHILDREN'S SCIENCE FICTION & FANTASY

More by Kelly Barnhill

by Kelly Barnhill

THE PROBLEM WITH PROPHECIES

From the celia cleary series , vol. 1.

by Scott Reintgen ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 31, 2022

A very promising kickoff with arbitrary but intriguingly challenging magic.

A middle schooler discovers both up and down sides to being able to foretell the future.

Members of the Cleary clan in alternating generations have always been granted predictive powers on their 4,444th day of life, and Celia has been eagerly looking forward to her first vision—until, that is, it comes and reveals that cute, quiet classmate Jeffrey is slated to die in a hit-and-run. Weighing her horror against her wise Grammy’s warnings that fate is inexorable, she contrives a way to head off the accident…only to foresee another fatal mishap in his future. And another. By the time she’s saved his life five times in a row, she’s not only exhausted, but crushing on the hapless lad. (As, unsurprisingly, he is on her.) Reintgen generally keeps the tone of his series opener light, so even after Celia discovers that there’s ultimately a tragic price for her intervention, the ensuing funeral service is marked by as much laughter as sorrow. The author surrounds his frantic but good-hearted protagonist with a particularly sturdy supporting cast that includes gratifyingly cooperative friends as well as her Grammy and loving, if nonmagical, mom. There don’t seem to be many Cleary men around; perhaps that and certain other curious elements, like a chart listing particular Cleary specialties with names such as Dreamwalker and Grimdark, will be addressed in future entries. Main characters read as White.

Pub Date: May 31, 2022

ISBN: 978-1-66590-357-8

Page Count: 352

Publisher: Aladdin

Review Posted Online: March 1, 2022

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2022

CHILDREN'S FAMILY | CHILDREN'S SCIENCE FICTION & FANTASY

by Scott Reintgen

More by Scott Reintgen

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What readers think of Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone, plus links to write your own review.

Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone

1st Published in UK as Harry Potter & The Philosopher's Stone

Critics' Consensus:
Readers' Rating:
First Published:
Sep 1, 1998, 309 pages
Sep 1999, 312 pages
Speculative, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Alt. History
Young Adults
UK (Britain) & Ireland
Contemporary
1st in Series
Magical or Supernatural
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Book Review: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

For people who want to enjoy an intriguing, fast paced novel, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone is the perfect book to read. It keeps you involved throughout the book as most chapters have cliffhangers at the end. This novel is the first of the seven famous Harry Potter books by J.K. Rowling.

The book is about 11 year old Harry Potter, who receives a letter saying that he is invited to attend Hogwarts, school of witchcraft and wizardry. He then learns that a powerful wizard and his minions are after the sorcerer’s stone that will make this evil wizard immortal and undefeatable. Harry decides to go after the sorcerer’s stone before the wizard reaches it, but his loyal friends, Hermione and Ron don’t let Harry face this danger alone.

This book is full of fantasies and imagination like at one point, Harry Potter is asked to catch a flying golden ball while flying on his broomstick. Eventually Harry Potter stands on his broomstick and tries to reach for the ball, but he falls off the broomstick in a very tense moment. He unexpectedly throws up the golden ball winning the game for his team.

Harry Potter and a sorcerer stone is a good book to spark joy and imagination for anyone, regardless of age. But I would say it is most enjoyable for elementary school students, who can very well relate to the fantasy world. So I would say that it is a must read for younger audiences, but it’s a good read in general.

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Harry potter and the sorcerer's stone: harry potter, book 1.

Common Sense Says
Parents Say 63 Reviews
Kids Say 379 Reviews

Common Sense Media Review

Magical start of the fantastic boy-wizard series.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 8+?

Kids are in peril often, but it's mostly at the hands of fantasy creatures. A th

Hagrid mentions having way too much to drink one night and giving away a dangero

One instance of "damn" and a "Good Lord."

Any Positive Content?

Friendship and bravery are more important than books and cleverness. There are m

Main characters Harry, Ron, and Hermione, models of dedicated friends, are rewar

Author borrows many magical creatures, people, and concepts from other fantasy t

There's a little diversity at Hogwarts. Lee Jordan is described as having dreadl

Violence & Scariness

Kids are in peril often, but it's mostly at the hands of fantasy creatures. A three-headed dog threatens Harry and friends. Harry and Draco see a dead and bloody unicorn and are chased by a hooded figure in the Forbidden Forest. Harry and friends fight a troll and knock it unconscious, are nearly crushed by a constricting plant and pummeled by a life-size chess board. Some minor injuries: a dragon bite that swells up and a broken wrist after a fall off a broom. Some bullying and a fistfight. One minor character dies. Mostly friendly ghosts roam the halls; the ghost Nearly Headless Nick shows how he got the name. Talk of Harry's childhood with his Muggle family, how his cousin bullied and hit him and his aunt and uncle neglected him. Harry's uncle points a gun at Hagrid. Flashback to the (bloodless) deaths of Harry's parents and much discussion about how they died and the one who killed them.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

Hagrid mentions having way too much to drink one night and giving away a dangerous secret. At another time Hagrid carries and drinks from a flask, and at Christmas dinner he drinks heavily and kisses Professor McGonagall on the cheek. Vernon Dursley is served brandy after a trying day. Witches drink sherry, and someone smokes a long pipe at a wizard bar. Baby dragons drink a mixture of brandy and chicken blood.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Positive Messages

Friendship and bravery are more important than books and cleverness. There are many kinds of bravery, and it's even braver to stand up to your friends than to your enemies.

Positive Role Models

Main characters Harry, Ron, and Hermione, models of dedicated friends, are rewarded for their bravery. They are usually punished for rule-breaking but also get away with quite a bit, especially when Harry gets his hands on an invisibility cloak. Harry always means well, though, and just like the sorting hat says, he has a "thirst to prove himself." Dumbledore (Hogwarts' eccentric headmaster) is a wonderful mentor to Harry, showing up with sage advice at just the right times.

Educational Value

Author borrows many magical creatures, people, and concepts from other fantasy traditions and puts her own spin on them: Nicholas and Perenelle Flamel and their Sorcerer's (or Philosopher's) Stone, wands and potions, unicorns, goblins, centaurs, dragons, giants, trolls, and more.

Diverse Representations

There's a little diversity at Hogwarts. Lee Jordan is described as having dreadlocks, and the Patil twins are sorted into the Gryffindor house. Some diverse family structures are described: Harry lives with his aunt and uncle and Neville with his grandmother. Harry and Ron bond over growing up with second-hand clothes and wishing they had more money; Ron's insecurity over being from a poorer family comes up a lot. Women have prominent roles at Hogwarts: Professor McGonagall and Professor Sprout are both heads of houses. There are two girls on the Gryffindor quidditch team. There's only one larger-sized character who isn't a bad guy, and that's Hagrid. Lots of negative language around the size of Dudley and his father and Malfoy's Slytherin friends Crabbe and Goyle.

Did we miss something on diversity? Suggest an update.

Parents need to know that Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is the first book in J.K. Rowling' s Harry Potter series about an orphan boy who begins his studies at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The novel respects kids' intelligence and motivates them to tackle its greater length and complexity, play imaginative games, and try to solve its logic puzzles. Book 1 is the lightest in the series, but it still has some scary stuff for sensitive readers: a three-headed dog, an attacking troll, a violent life-size chess board, a hooded figure over a dead and bleeding unicorn, as well as a discussion of how Harry's parents died years ago and how he was raised by an aunt and uncle who neglected him. Some adult wizards drink, especially Hagrid, who drinks to excess more than once. There's little diversity at Hogwarts beyond a few students of color, but women have prominent roles at the school, and the smartest kid in class is Hermione, a girl. The 2015 lavishly illustrated, larger-format edition features a new cover (different from the original U.S. cover pictured here) and more than 100 full-color illustrations by Jim Kay ( A Monster Calls ) that depict shimmering ghosts amid breathtaking scenes of Hogwarts, character portraits, and pages from magical textbooks. Parents who want to learn more about the series (and spin-off movies and games) can read our Harry Potter Age-by-Age Guide .

Where to Read

Parent and kid reviews.

Parents say (63)
Kids say (379)

Based on 63 parent reviews

Great book for kids and adults alike. Beautifully written :)

What's the story.

In HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE, Harry Potter is left on his aunt and uncle's doorstep as a baby after his parents are killed. For 10 years he's forced to sleep in a cupboard under the stairs while his bullying cousin, Dudley, is spoiled rotten. The summer before the start of secondary school, a letter arrives with his name on it, no stamp, and a mysterious seal. Uncle Vernon snatches it away before he can open it, but it doesn't matter. More and more letters arrive and the family is eventually chased down to a rocky island by a large hairy man named Hagrid. Thanks to Hagrid, Harry finally gets to open his letter: an invitation to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. And, surprise! "You're a wizard, Harry." It turns out that Harry is one of the most famous wizards ever, called the Boy Who Lived after he survived an attack from the evil Lord Voldemort. Not only did Harry survive the attack that killed his parents, but somehow baby Harry also managed to defeat Voldemort in the process. So that's how he got that lightning-bolt scar on his forehead.

Is It Any Good?

There are two kinds of magic in this phenomenal boy-wizard tale, the literal spell kind and the spell cast by a thrilling world for young (and old) fantasy readers to explore. While Harry Potter and his new friends Ron and Hermione get their first lessons in potion making and how to make a feather fly ("swish and flick!"), readers are getting lessons in delightful ideas like owls delivering the post, secret train platforms, pictures and staircases that move, sports played on broomsticks, and even odd-flavored jelly beans. Readers will want to grab their owl, cat, or toad (how can you choose just one?!) and hop on the train to Hogwarts immediately.

But it's not all fun with flying broomsticks. Harry Potter isn't called the Boy Who Lived for nothing. He's an orphan because an evil wizard killed his parents and wanted to kill him, and that evil still lurks at the school. As Harry, Ron, and Hermione uncover a plot to steal the Sorcerer's Stone of the title, more and more school rules must be broken (and some serious house points must be lost) to figure out who the enemy at school really is. Readers will enjoy the twists, danger, and kid wizard heroics that drive the final action.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about when kids knew they were ready to read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone . Did you feel pressured to read it when your friends did? Were any parts too scary for you? How did you handle it?

Kids just getting into the series will find a whole world of Harry Potter available to them, from Chocolate Frogs for sale at the grocery store to theme parks. A die-hard Potter fan can spend a lot of money in their lifetime on merchandise and experiences. Do you think this is worth your money? Are there other ways you can celebrate books you love without raiding your piggie bank?

This series has been commended for getting so many kids to love reading. Which books made you start to love reading? Or are you still looking for them?

Book Details

Author : J. K. Rowling
Illustrator : Mary Grandpre
Genre : Fantasy
Topics : Magic and Fantasy
Book type : Fiction
Publisher : Scholastic Inc.
Publication date : September 1, 1998
Publisher's recommended age(s) : 9 - 12
Number of pages : 309
Awards : ALA Best and Notable Books , Common Sense Media Award , Kids' Choice Award
Last updated : May 5, 2024

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

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Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, by J.K. Rowling | Book Review

The Children’s Book Review | July 31, 2018

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

Written by J.K. Rowling

Age Range: 8 and up

Paperback: 336 pages

Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books; Reissue edition (June 26, 2018)

ISBN-13: 978-1338299144

What to Expect: Fantasy and Magic

It is July 31. That means that it is Harry Potter’s birthday and the the perfect opportunity to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone .

Get your tickets ready. The grand, shiny red Hogwarts Express is ready to depart from platform 9 3/4, and you won’t want to miss the enchanting ride into the spellbinding wizarding world of Harry Potter.

Harry is an orphan who has been living with Aunt Petunia, Uncle Vernon, and cousin Dudley Dursley since he was a baby. The Dursleys are plain despicable and make Harry sleep in a cupboard under the stairs. On Harry’s eleventh birthday, mysterious letters addressed to Harry Potter begin arriving at the house, and his aunt and uncle try everything they can to keep them from Harry. That’s when a very large looking man, Hagrid, shows up to deliver the letter in person, along with a very important message: “You’re a wizard, Harry!” Unknown to Harry, he isn’t just any wizard, he is a very famous wizard with a destiny waiting to be fulfilled; a destiny that explains the peculiar lightning bolt scar he has on his forehead. Harry’s whole world will be turned upside down as he embarks on a new and exciting journey to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

J.K Rowling’s writing is as magical as the story itself. The settings and locations provide rich backdrops for the page-turning drama that unfolds—Hogwarts is located in a remote location in a majestic castle nestled against the Forbidden Forest. Feel-good moments soften, and also propel, the ever-growing tension—amidst the flurry of new magical activities (flying broomsticks and playing the wizarding sport of choice, Quidditch) and lessons (‘Care of Magical Creatures’ and ‘Defense Against the Dark Arts’), it becomes apparent that a dark power is growing stronger … the kind of power that could only come from the most feared wizard … He Who Shall Not Be Named. Could Harry and his lightning bolt scar be somehow connected to this dark wizard? This question and more make it near impossible to stop at just one or two chapters a night!

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone is not to be missed by any reader, young or old. To celebrate the 20th anniversary of this story, Scholastic has released new covers for the series, illustrated by Caldecott Medal-winning artist Brian Selznick. The covers are a kind of magic in their own right: when placed side by side, the seven covers make one spectacular picture that highlights the arc of the seven book series. Selznick’s artwork is fantastical and the cover design concept is genius!

Of course, there’s only one thing to do: Grab your invisibility cloak, and jump headfirst into this adventurous, mysterious, perilous, and highly entertaining book about muggles (non-magical) and magical folk.

Available Here:

About the author.

J.K. Rowling is the author of the record-breaking, multi-award-winning Harry Potter novels. Loved by fans around the world, the series has sold over 450 million copies, been translated into 80 languages, and made into eight blockbuster films. She has written three companion volumes in aid of charity: Quidditch Through the Ages and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (in aid of Comic Relief and Lumos), and The Tales of Beedle the Bard (in aid of Lumos), as well as a screenplay inspired by Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them , which marked the start of a five-film series to be written by the author. She has also collaborated on a stage play, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Parts One and Two , which opened in London’s West End in the summer of 2016. In 2012 J.K. Rowling’s digital company Pottermore was launched, where fans can enjoy news, features, and articles, as well as original content from J.K. Rowling. J.K. Rowling is also the author of The Casual Vacancy , a novel for adult readers, and the Strike crime series, written under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith. She has received many awards and honors, including an OBE and Companion of Honour, France’s Légion d’honneur, and the Hans Christian Andersen Award.

About the Illustrator

Brian Selznick ’s books have garnered countless accolades worldwide, and have been translated into more than 35 languages. He is the Caldecott Medal-winning creator of the #1 New York Times bestsellers The Invention of Hugo Cabret , adapted into Martin Scorsese’s Oscar-winning movie Hugo ; and Wonderstruck , adapted by celebrated filmmaker Todd Haynes, with a screenplay by Selznick; as well as The Marvels and Baby Monkey, Private Eye (co-written with Dr. David Serlin). Selznick divides his time between Brooklyn, New York, and San Diego, California.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone , by J.K. Rowling, was reviewed by Bianca Schulze. Discover more books like Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by following along with our reviews and articles tagged with Books About Witches , Brian Selznick , Fantasy , Harry Potter , J.K. Rowling , Magic , and Wizard Books .

What to Read Next:

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Patrick Matthews Discusses Bradley’s Dragons
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JK Rowling’s Wizarding World: The Dark Arts: A Movie Scrapbook | Book Review

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Bianca Schulze is the founder of The Children’s Book Review. She is a reader, reviewer, mother and children’s book lover. She also has a decade’s worth of experience working with children in the great outdoors. Combined with her love of books and experience as a children’s specialist bookseller, the goal is to share her passion for children’s literature to grow readers. Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, she now lives with her husband and three children near Boulder, Colorado.

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Full Title: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
When Written: 1990-1995
Where Written: Manchester, England; Porto, Portugal; Edinburgh, Scotland
When Published: 1995
Literary Period: Contemporary
Genre: Children’s fantasy, children’s fiction
Setting: England; Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Climax: Harry finds the Sorcerer’s Stone and prevents Voldemort’s return to power.
Antagonist: Voldemort, Professor Quirrell, and Draco Malfoy
Point of View: Third person

Extra Credit for Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

Beginning with the End. Rowling has stated that within the first year of writing the Harry Potter series, she wrote a sketch of what one of the final chapters of the seventh book might be.

Harry Potter and the Dead Languages. As of 2018, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone has been published in 75 other languages, including Latin and Ancient Greek.

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Book Review

Harry potter and the sorcerer’s stone – “harry potter” series.

J.K. Rowling

Readability Age Range

Scholastic Press, an imprint of Scholastic, Inc.

Year Published

After being raised in the miserably unfair home of his Uncle Vernon Dursley, Harry practically begins life anew when he discovers that he is a wizard and is invited to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Among Harry’s first-year adventures are making new friends (Hagrid, Ron and Hermione), standing up to the torments of school bully Draco Malfoy, and becoming the star player on his Quidditch team (the favored sport in the magical world). Harry’s life as a Hogwarts “first-year” is more interesting than that of most attendees, because he is already famous for surviving the attack of the evil Lord Voldemort, who tried to kill him as an infant. Everyone in the wizard world knows more about Harry’s family and his story than he does, so a great deal of the book is about Harry growing into his heritage.

By far the most important happening of Harry’s first year is unraveling the mystery of the Sorcerer’s Stone and coming face to face with Voldemort. The Sorcerer’s Stone has the power to turn things to gold and to give immortality to humans. Voldemort, who lost most of his power in the battle with Harry’s parents, is desperate to find the stone and use it for his own evil purposes. He enlists the help of one Hogwarts professor, and in the end, Harry meets both of them in hand-to-hand combat. Of course, Harry wins, but Voldemort is not defeated forever.

Positive Elements

At the wizards’ bank, Harry reads on the door the following warning against greed: “Enter stranger, but take heed of what awaits the sin of greed. For those who take but do not earn must pay dearly in their turn. So if you seek beneath our floors a treasure that was never yours, thief, you have been warned, beware of finding more than treasure there.”

Unraveling the Sorcerer’s Stone mystery, Harry, Ron and Hermione find themselves involved in a life-sized chess game, in which they become playing pieces. Two positive things here: first, Harry recognizes that Ron is more gifted than he at chess, so he defers to Ron as the wiser partner. More important, Ron proves himself to be such a good friend to Harry that he is willing to sacrifice his playing piece (and get knocked unconscious in the process) so that Harry can go on to find the stone.

Harry’s parents loved him unconditionally, even sacrificially. The message is clear about the effects of this kind of love: Voldemort says, “I killed your father first, and he put up a courageous fight … but your mother needn’t have died. … She was trying to protect you.” Later, Dumbledore says, “Your mother died to save you. If there is one thing Voldemort cannot understand, it is love. He didn’t realize that love as powerful as your mother’s for you leaves its own mark. Not a scar, no visible sign … to have been loved so deeply, even though the person who loved us is gone, will give us some sort of protection forever.”

Violent Content

No detailed description is given of the death of Harry’s parents. All Harry can remember is a huge flash of green light.

The resident directors in the Hogwarts dormitories are all ghosts. Two of them, in particular, have apparently died rather gruesome deaths, for they are named The Bloody Baron and Near Headless Nick, which gives some clue as to how they became specters.

Nicolas Flamel, the inventor of the Sorcerer’s Stone, agrees that it is in the best interest of humanity for the stone to be destroyed. This means that he and his wife, who both are over 600 years old, will die, because they will have no more sustenance from the stone. Harry expresses his distress over this selfless act, and the good professor Dumbledore responds, “To one as young as you, I’m sure it seems incredible, but to Nicolas and Perenelle, it really is like going to bed after a very, very long day. After all, to the well organized mind, death is but the next great adventure.”

As previously mentioned, an evil professor tries to knock Harry to his death (or at least to serious injury) during a Quidditch match. This same professor slaughters a Unicorn in order to drink the life-giving blood of an innocent animal.

Preceding the final match with Voldemort, Ron is knocked unconscious as he, Harry and Hermione struggle to solve the mystery of the Sorcerer’s Stone. The final battle itself is an intense struggle, for Harry soon discovers that Voldemort cannot touch his body without being badly burned. As Harry’s encounter with Voldemort rises to a climax, Voldemort screams at one of his followers, “KILL HIM! KILL HIM!”

Harry’s Family

Harry is treated horribly by Uncle Vernon, Aunt Petunia and cousin Dudley Dursley. The Dursleys make Harry sleep in a closet, and they make no excuses about denying Harry simple pleasures while spoiling Dudley (“Every year on Dudley’s birthday, his parents took him and a friend out for the day, to adventure parks, hamburger restaurants or the movies. Every year, Harry was left behind with Mrs. Figg, a mad old lady who lived two streets away. Harry hated it there. The whole house smelled of cabbage, and Mrs. Figg made Harry look at photographs of all the cats she’d ever owned”).

The Dursleys are not characterized in such a way that the reader understands them to be a respectable or even a normal example of a family. In fact, the Dursleys are set up more as an example of the damage that is done when a child doesn’t have a real family. Children who have been neglected are likely to identify with Harry and be encouraged by his success at changing his station in life.

The Hogwarts community becomes a kind of surrogate family for Harry. He has a better Christmas at Hogwarts than he ever had with the Dursleys. And through his new friend, Ron Weasley, Harry is semi-adopted into the Weasley family, who care for him and even send him gifts, though they are poor themselves.

Throughout the story, there is the understanding that Harry’s real family truly loved him and would have treated him well. Finally, Harry finds them through a magical mirror called Erised (desire spelled backward.) In the mirror, he is able to see his mother and father looking at him longingly and waving. The mirror is intended to show its viewer the deepest desire of his or her heart.

School Discipline

J.K. Rowling paints a detailed picture of each of the prominent professors—McGonagall is fair and an excellent disciplinarian; Snape is grouchy and vengeful; Quirrell is stuttering and spineless; Dumbledore is wise and altogether respected. Harry and friends figure out early where their loyalties lie and what they can get way with in the classroom. They respect McGonagall and Dumbledore most, because these two are upright, wise and understanding.

Hogwarts rules include no fighting, no sneaking around after hours and no use of magic outside the classroom. Harry and company find a lot of their adventure in breaking the sneaking around rule and usually wind up saving someone or making an important discovery when they’re doing things they shouldn’t. They are always justly punished when they are caught in their misdeeds.

Hermione is the dissenting voice, always warning Harry and Ron that they’d better toe the line. Unfortunately, it is when she finally concedes to breaking the rules (for a good cause, of course) that Hermione proves herself a true friend to Harry and Ron (“Ron dropped his wand. Hermione Granger, telling a downright lie to a teacher?… Hermione was the last person to do anything against the rules, and here she was, pretending she had to get them out of trouble. … From that moment on, Hermione Granger became their friend”).

In the end, Harry repents of his rule breaking: “It was a bit late to repair the damage, but Harry swore to himself not to meddle in the things that weren’t his business from now on. He’d had it with sneaking and spying. He felt so ashamed of himself.”

Alcohol Use

Hagrid, the school’s caretaker, likes to drink (both for social reasons and to calm his nerves). “Everyone [in the bar] seemed to know Hagrid; they waved and smiled at him, and the bartender reached for a glass, saying, ‘The usual, Hagrid?’ ‘Can’t Tom, I’m on Hogwarts business,’ said Hagrid.” Hagrid does renounce his drinking habit when he realizes that while he was under the influence, he disclosed secret information that could have cost Harry his life. (“It’s—all—my—ruddy—fault! … I told him! Yeh could’ve died! … I’ll never drink again!”)

Spiritual Elements

Witchcraft and wizardry are central devices in this story. And they are presented in a very stereotypical manner. For example, Harry’s school supply list includes “three sets of plain work robes (black) … one pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar) … one wand, one cauldron (pewter, standard size 2),” and books like “The Standard Book of Spells … Magical Theory and One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi.”

References to dark magic and other evils that pertain to the “dark side” are included, but they are never presented as desirable. Every character who is allied with these forces is an enemy or at least a tormentor to the hero of the story. For instance, one evil professor uses powerful dark magic to try to knock Harry off his broomstick during a Quidditch match. (On a cultural level, Rowling can be commended for steering young fans away from the so-called dark side, but from a spiritual perspective, it’s clear that there are not dark and light sides when it comes to witchcraft; it’s all as black as sin.)

The most intense example of dark magic occurs during Harry’s confrontation with Voldemort, when the evil one tempts Harry to come over to the dark side in order to save his own life: “‘See what I have become?’ the face said. ‘Mere shadow and vapor. … I have form only when I can share another’s body … but there have always been those willing to let me into their hearts and minds. … Don’t be a fool. … Better save your own life and join me … or you’ll meet the same end as your parents. … They died begging me for mercy.'”

“Sunshine, daisies, butter mellow, turn this stupid, fat rat yellow” is a spoken charm typical of what Harry and his friends learn at Hogwarts. Some children may be fascinated and want to try these seemingly harmless spells for themselves. Not a wise idea, considering how very real the occult is. The meaningless charms found in this book may not summon occult forces, but there are real charms that do.

That said, Rowling presents life in the supernatural realm as much fuller than life in the physical realm. Colors are brighter, people are more interesting and life is more exciting and surprising. But the side of the supernatural world that Rowling presents is not really the side that offers this abundant life. In fact, biblically speaking, to participate in the world of witchcraft brings death rather than a fuller life (1 Sam. 28:6-18, Is. 8:19 and 47:12-14). That’s more than enough reason for families to think long and hard before embarking on Harry Potter’s magic carpet ride.

Plot Summary

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Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone: The Illustrated Edition (Harry Potter, Book 1)

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Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone: The Illustrated Edition (Harry Potter, Book 1) Hardcover – Illustrated, October 6, 2015

Book 1 of 5 Harry Potter Illustrated Editions
Print length 256 pages
Language English
Grade level 3 - 6
Lexile measure 880L
Dimensions 9.1 x 1.1 x 10.5 inches
Publisher Arthur A. Levine Books
Publication date October 6, 2015
ISBN-10 0545790352
ISBN-13 978-0545790352
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J.K. Rowling is the author of the enduringly popular Harry Potter books. After the idea for Harry Potter came to her on a delayed train journey in 1990, she plotted out and started writing the series of seven books and the first was published as Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone in the UK in 1997. The series took another ten years to complete, concluding in 2007 with the publication of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows .

To accompany the series, J.K. Rowling wrote three short companion volumes for charity, Quidditch Through the Ages and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them , in aid of Comic Relief and Lumos, and The Tales of Beedle the Bard , in aid of Lumos. She also collaborated on the writing of a stage play, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child , which was published as a script book.

Her other books for children include the fairy tale The Ickabog and The Christmas Pig , which were published in 2020 and 2021 respectively and have also been bestsellers. She is also the author of books for adults, including a bestselling crime fiction series.

J.K. Rowling has received many awards and honors for her writing. She also supports a number of causes through her charitable trust Volant and is the founder of the children’s charity Lumos.

To find out more about J.K. Rowling visit jkrowlingstories.com.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Arthur A. Levine Books; Illustrated edition (October 6, 2015)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0545790352
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0545790352
Reading age ‏ : ‎ 5+ years, from customers
Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 880L
Grade level ‏ : ‎ 3 - 6
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 9.1 x 1.1 x 10.5 inches
#9 in Children's Friendship Books
#23 in Children's Fantasy & Magic Books
#25 in Children's Action & Adventure Books (Books)

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About the authors

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J.K. Rowling

J.K. Rowling is the author of the enduringly popular, era-defining Harry Potter book series, as well as several stand-alone novels for adults and children, and a bestselling crime fiction series written under the pen name Robert Galbraith.

The Harry Potter books have now sold over 600 million copies worldwide, been translated into 85 languages and made into eight blockbuster films. They continue to be discovered and loved by new generations of readers.

Alongside the Harry Potter series, J.K. Rowling also wrote three short companion volumes for charity: Quidditch Through the Ages and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, in aid of Comic Relief, and The Tales of Beedle the Bard, in aid of her international children’s charity, Lumos. The companion books and original series are all available as audiobooks.

In 2016, J.K. Rowling collaborated with playwright Jack Thorne and director John Tiffany to continue Harry’s story in a stage play, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, which opened in London, and is now thrilling audiences on four continents. The script book was published to mark the plays opening in 2016 and instantly topped the bestseller lists.

In the same year, she made her debut as a screenwriter with the film Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Inspired by the original companion volume, it was the first in a series of new adventures featuring wizarding world magizoologist Newt Scamander. The second, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, was released in 2018 and the third, Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore was released in 2022.

The screenplays were published to coincide with each film’s release: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them - The Original Screenplay (2016), Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald - The Original Screenplay (2018) and Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore - The Complete Screenplay (2022).

Fans of Fantastic Beasts and Harry Potter can find out more at www.wizardingworld.com.

J.K. Rowling’s fairy tale for younger children, The Ickabog, was serialised for free online for children during the Covid-19 pandemic in the summer of 2020 and is now published as a book illustrated by children, with her royalties going to her charitable trust, Volant, to benefit charities helping alleviate social deprivation and assist vulnerable groups, particularly women and children.

Her latest children’s novel The Christmas Pig, published in 2021, is a standalone adventure story about a boy’s love for his most treasured thing and how far he will go to find it.

J.K. Rowling also writes novels for adults. The Casual Vacancy was published in 2012 and adapted for television in 2015. Under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith, she is the author of the highly acclaimed ‘Strike’ crime series, featuring private detective Cormoran Strike and his partner Robin Ellacott. The first of these, The Cuckoo’s Calling, was published to critical acclaim in 2013, at first without its author’s true identity being known. The Silkworm followed in 2014, Career of Evil in 2015, Lethal White in 2018, Troubled Blood in 2020 and The Ink Black Heart in 2022. The series has also been adapted for television by the BBC and HBO.

J.K. Rowling’s 2008 Harvard Commencement speech was published in 2015 as an illustrated book, Very Good Lives: The Fringe Benefits of Failure and the Importance of Imagination, sold in aid of Lumos and university-wide financial aid at Harvard.

As well as receiving an OBE and Companion of Honour for services to children’s literature, J.K. Rowling has received many other awards and honours, including France’s Legion d’Honneur, Spain’s Prince of Asturias Award and Denmark’s Hans Christian Andersen Award.

J.K. Rowling supports a number of causes through her charitable trust, Volant. She is also the founder and president of Lumos, an international children’s charity fighting for every child’s right to a family by transforming care systems around the world.

www.jkrowling.com

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Customers say the illustrations are beautiful and lush. They find the story amazing and the book a great addition to any collection. Readers say the book is large and easy to read. They also say it's a perfect way to introduce and engage younger children to the Harry Potter series. Customers also mention that the book has fun to look at and watch, with some animation. They praise the writing style as wonderfully well done and the flow of the book.

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Customers find the illustrations in the book beautiful. They also appreciate the dust jacket.

"...The illustrations range from reasonably detailed and well-drawn to the kind of painstakingly beautiful work I'd like very much to frame massive..." Read more

" Beautiful drawings , some of them with animation, very interesting...." Read more

"This book is an A+ product. The pictures are stunning . The quality is superb." Read more

"The illustrations in this are super . My kids are loving this. I will buy the next one in the series when we finish this one...." Read more

Customers find the story and plot in the book lushly illustrated, mesmerizing, and detailed. They also say the color brings the story to life.

"...The frequency of illustrations will not disappoint ...." Read more

"... This book is illustrated beautifully and is much larger than the classic books. It’s great for young first time Harry Potter readers." Read more

"...They are so much fun to look at and watch. They definitely add to the story !" Read more

"The artwork is gorgeous and really captures the spirit of the story ...." Read more

Customers find the illustrations in the book beautiful, rich, and vibrant. They also say it's a great addition to any collection, and a wonderful Christmas gift.

"Illustrations are beautiful. Makes a perfect gift . Great book for anyone who loves Harry Potter." Read more

"...Almost coffee table quality. But great book. Suitable as a gift ." Read more

"...This is a great gift or a new addition to your own Potter collection...." Read more

"...This is such a well made book. It can also be a very good gift to someone !The only thing which is a slight drawback is the size and weight ...." Read more

Customers find the book easy to read, with beautiful illustrations and easy to understand print. They also say the book is large and enjoyable to read.

"...This book is illustrated beautifully and is much larger than the classic books . It’s great for young first time Harry Potter readers." Read more

"...Has larger print so easy to read ...." Read more

"This book is beautifully illustated and has easy to read print ...." Read more

"...It's a very large book compared to a traditional hard cover Sorcerer's Stone and I love that...." Read more

Customers find the illustrated edition of the Harry Potter series a perfect way to introduce and engage younger children in the series. They also say it's great for HP lovers of any age and a good time for dad and son bonding.

"...It’s great for young first time Harry Potter readers ." Read more

"This illustrated version is wonderful to share with my children ...." Read more

"The illustrations are beautiful and kept me smiling. Great to keep young readers engaged . Grab a broomstick and get swept up in a fantastic adventure!" Read more

"...It's a genius idea. By having many illustrations, it helps to pull younger readers such as my daughter into the fold...." Read more

Customers find the Harry Potter adaptation amazing, wonderful, and worth picking up. They also appreciate the beautiful, elegant, and fully illustrated version.

"... This book is worth it , and should be in every HP fans collection." Read more

"This book is a great buy for any Harry Potter fan . I was Harry’s age as the books came out, so I have always been a fan...." Read more

"... Definitely worth picking up , even if you've read every book to death and own every other edition, this is one that any Potter fan must have...." Read more

"...The illustrations are beautiful, it is wonderful to reread this book and MYSELF re-discover many things I had forgotten over the years...." Read more

Customers find the book fun to read, with the films reimagined. They also love the animations throughout the book, which works great on Kindle.

"Beautiful drawings, some of them with animation , very interesting...." Read more

"...They are so much fun to look at and watch . They definitely add to the story!" Read more

"This is a really special edition with bits of animation . A book to be read many times. I will never get enough." Read more

"There is nothing that I dislike about the book. It is entertaining and keeps your attention. I recommend it to anyone who loves to read." Read more

Customers find the writing style wonderfully well done, beautiful, and match the descriptions of the book. They also appreciate that a lot of the British phrases aren't edited like in the usual American. Readers also mention that the book is a beautiful way to transition younger readers into the series.

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"...The incorporation of the illustrations with the text is wonderfully well done ...." Read more

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A beautiful illustrated edition of what can almost (and probably should) be considered a classic at this point

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Nintendo Once Tried to Win the Exclusive Rights to Harry Potter

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Few would deny the influence of the Harry Potter films. The adaptations have become almost synonymous with Warner Brothers after taking so long However, it can be easy to forget just how intense the competition for rights to the Wizarding World was for those involved. One unusual candidate was Nintendo, who nearly owned the rights to all forms of adaptation and would have most likely prevented the films from getting made. The attempt was no small effort, either, and the company not only had a unique pitch but also presented concept art, which led to fierce debate among the developers. Ultimately, J. K. Rowling herself turned down the idea in favor of a company with the proper resources to bring her vision to life, and perhaps it was for the best. Over the twenty-five years since the first book was released, Nintendo has only grown, while Harry Potter has become one of the most successful film franchises of all time.

Nintendo Wanted Exclusive Rights to Harry Potter

Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter, wearing the sorting hat in Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone

When the Harry Potter books were released in the late 1990s, they quickly became an international sensation, and it's no surprise to learn that many film studios wanted to get in on the action. As reported by Unseen64 , a t the time, the rights were completely up for grabs - not just a film or TV license. The rights in the deal would be exclusive, meaning that the winner would own any and all adaptations going forward, even as more books were published. Needless to say, the bidding war grew intense, and it went to some strange places.

One unlikely candidate to purchase the franchise was Nintendo, whose major success in the 90s and family-friendly audience made it highly appealing as a potential buyer. This was by no means a discussion made in passing, as the company canceled development on several other games to focus on the new project. Two games were planned, including one based on Quidditch and an adventure game with a first-person perspective. Notably, Nintendo would not have offered a film adaptation, meaning the brand we know today would likely have been much smaller.

Within the company itself, much drama quickly emerged over the design of the games themselves, particularly that of the characters. Since this would have been the first major visual depiction and they would be presented to Rowling in a pitch meeting, it's no wonder game developers felt themselves under fierce pressure to deliver on an idea. Some of the developers wanted to use the book cover design of the main characters as a template, citing the importance to the author that her creation remained British. Many higher-ups, though, went for a style more in line with traditional anime or manga, though neither form of concept art has been released to the public.

J. K. Rowling Killed the Deal With Nintendo

No matter how unique the presentation was, the bid by Nintendo would only go through if it gained the permission of Rowling , the one audience who mattered. By all accounts, she viewed the presentation and enjoyed it, but the author ultimately decided to pursue a different path, as we know. Exactly why she made this decision is not entirely clear since most of what we have has been rumors. However, the previously mentioned report by Unseen64 lists two reasons that can explain why she likely passed on the offer.

The biggest reason appears to be more logistical in nature. While Nintendo may be the biggest video company in Japan and even the world, other bidders had more resources to spare and proved to be much more ambitious. This thinking is not without precedent, as a similar sense of scale appears to have been behind Rowling’s decision to decline an offer from Disney to build Harry Potter World in Orlando, instead turning to Universal Studios. Although multiple Harry Potter games have since been adapted for Nintendo gaming systems, the company is not what one could call an avid investor in other merchandise, like film or television.

A custom image of Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter laying on the ground, with the screen cracked

This ‘Harry Potter’ Set Accident Is More Terrifying Than Lord Voldemort Himself

Movie making can be a dangerous business.

Another reason that might be easy to overlook is the nature of the series as being inherently British. Rowling remained adamant that any adaptation preserves its cultural roots, which put Nintendo at a major disadvantage. The reflections of this mentality can still be noticed within the films, which had a very strict “British only” rule that prevented even esteemed American actors like Robin Williams from getting involved despite heavy campaigning. Games by Nintendo might sell all over the world, but the company remains Japanese at its core, including its main audience, and we’ve already seen how this could create conflict.

Harry Potter Has Thrived Under Warner Brothers

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2

In terms of viability, it's hard to argue that Rowling made the wrong choice. Instead of Nintendo, Warner Brothers got the Harry Potter franchise, and it would later become one of the most important, if not the most, in their arsenal. Over eight series films and a three-film spinoff, the franchise would gross almost ten billion dollars for the studio , to say nothing of the enormous merchandise that has since followed. For most installments, critical scores have remained fairly high as well, with an average higher than most other big franchises today.

If Nintendo had won exclusive rights to Harry Potter , it is unlikely that any of this would happen. Since they have only recently begun making films of their properties, it might have been years or even decades before we saw a proper adaptation , assuming it was ever made at all. Considering the franchise is still making waves today, it is a major piece of popular culture, and the idea of not having these films is difficult to fathom. Whatever one might think of the series, no one can doubt the impact of Harry Potter over the past generation, and not having the films would be a huge loss.

Thankfully, what we have now seems like the best of both worlds . Although the idea of Nintendo owning the series makes for an interesting piece of trivia and thought experiment, they've also proven more than successful enough without it. For Warner Brothers, the series has been so profitable that they are seeking to recapture it on the small screen, though whether it proves successful remains to be seen. Still, no one benefited more from the deal than Rowling herself , and the influence her work has created makes it clear that she made the right choice.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

An orphaned boy enrolls in a school of wizardry, where he learns the truth about himself, his family and the terrible evil that haunts the magical world.

The entire Harry Potter series is now available to watch on Peacock in the U.S.

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Bonnie Wright Wants Son to Read ‘Harry Potter’ Before Seeing Her Movies: ‘I Hope He Actually Likes It’ (Exclusive)

Harry Potter fans watched Ginny Weasley say “good luck” to The Boy Who Lived as he headed off to Hogwarts nearly 23 years ago in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone — and actress Bonnie Wright can’t wait to watch the scene with her own son.

“I hope he actually likes it! I mean, I can’t force it on him, but I’m definitely gonna positively encourage reading it,” Wright, 33, exclusively told Us Weekly while in New York City for the Back to Hogwarts event at Grand Central Terminal on Sunday, September 1.

The actress, who appeared in all eight Potter films as the youngest Weasley, shares son Elio, who turns 1 on September 19, with husband Andrew Lococo . Even though it’s still a few years down the line, Wright has already determined that Elio will need to read the books before he sees the movie adaptations that launched his mom’s career.

“I hope to read it to him … but I definitely will make sure we read the books before we watch the movies,” she emphasized. “Could be like reading a book, [then] watching a movie. But I’m definitely gonna make sure we go through the books. I also remember growing up with the audiobooks, so maybe the audiobooks would be nice.”

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Harry Potter (@harrypotter)

It’s not just her baby boy who will experience the magic for the first time. Wright noted Lococo, whom she married in March 2022, is not a Potterhead.

“He hadn’t actually seen any of the films before we met, so we haven’t finished all of them,” the London native explained. “We did it a bit out of order when, randomly, we went once with all our family to one of those city concerts they do where you listen to the score while you watch it. So, he’d only got up to, like, Goblet of Fire , and then we suddenly went to watch Deathly Hallows Part 1 , and I was like, ‘You have missed a vital section!’ So we need to go back a bit. But he’s never read the books, so I hope he can be part of it with our son. I’m sure he will.”

Related: 'Harry Potter' Babies: See Which Stars Have Welcomed Children

Wright hopes that the beloved story will help her son develop the same love of reading that she sees in fans all the time.

“I really hope he loves the world, and I meet so many kids now who are 6 years old, 7 years old — not obviously alive at all when this was going on — and they’re just in the world, they love it,” she told Us . “I think it’s just so special that so many new generations of fans will love it and find something in the story that resonates with them. And I speak to so many parents when it comes to reading that or teachers that are like, ‘Oh, my gosh, we’re so grateful to Harry Potter because it genuinely has inspired more reading, literacy, everything.’”

When Wright filmed 2001’s Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, she was among the youngest actors in the cast at just 9 years old. Now, she and many of her costars have their own kids.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by BONNIE WRIGHT (@thisisbwright)

“ James and Oliver [ Phelps , who played Fred and George Weasley] both are parents. Rupert [ Grint , who played Ron Weasley] has a daughter, and I think, for all of us, sometimes we’re like, ‘This is wild that here we are now, with kids, talking about kids,’” she said. “Like, you never would’ve thought it, so it’s really lovely. Dan [ Radcliffe , who played Harry] has had his kid, and it’s just so cool that time feels like it’s gone by but also not — but then when you have kids, you’re like, ‘Oh, time has gone by.'”

Despite more than two decades passing since the start of the film franchise, you wouldn’t know it based on the gathering of passionate witches and wizards in New York City’s Grand Central Terminal on Sunday. For years, fans have gathered at Kings Cross Station in London to celebrate at 11 a.m. on September 1, the annual date and time the Hogwarts Express took students back to the magical school via Platform 9 3/4. However, this year, Warner Bros. set up special events at iconic locations across the globe — including Paris, Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo — so more fans could enjoy Wizarding World activities.

The Manhattan event included photo ops, giveaways, a performance from Broadway’s Harry Potter and the Cursed Child musicians, appearances from Cursed Child actors, Lego activities and a sneak peak at the upcoming Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions video game. The flagship store, Harry Potter New York , had everyone’s sugar rush covered with their iconic Butterbeer as well as wizarding treats like Chocolate Frogs and Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans.

Kierra Lewis and Bonnie Wright at Back to Hogwarts in New York City

Wright was a surprise guest during Sunday’s official countdown, hosted by TikToker Kierra Lewis , and was met with excited cheers from the crowd of fans in Hogwarts robes in Vanderbilt Hall on Sunday. She fondly recalled how her very first — and only scene — in 2001’s Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone was when Harry pushed through the magical barrier to Platform 9 3/4.

After the event, she told Us that she remembers that first day very well. “I had never set foot on a professional set before, so I had no idea what to expect,” she recalled. “They’d already been filming for a few months, so I was kind of coming into production, but it’s obviously the first day of the week, new family, so it was a big, exciting day. I remember they’d blocked off a couple of the platforms in order to film. And the scale of Harry Potter as a film was massive. You had multiple cameras, hundreds of crew. And I remember just being like, ‘Oh, my gosh, like, what am I meant to do?’ I’d never even done anything [in film or TV before].”

Related: 'Harry Potter' Stars From 'Sorcerer's Stone' to HBO Max Reunion

Wright shared that while Julie Walters played Ginny’s loving mom onscreen, she also helped Wright find her footing behind the scenes.

“Julie Walters, who played Molly Weasley, really saw that I looked a bit lost and took me under her wing and really just was like, ‘OK, stand here. You do this, you are good.’ And [Julie] just really looked after me, and I’m so lucky that she did,” Wright gushed. “It was just so special and magic.”

Her performance, she said, didn’t require much effort since it matched her own emotions. She explained, “I genuinely think my performance was just how I felt in the day — eyes wide, like, ‘Wow, what’s happening?’ And then that line I have — ‘good luck,’ that I say to Harry as he pushes through the wall — was actually not in the script, so I was given that on the day. So I was very excited to have a speaking role.”

Julie Walters and Bonnie Wright in 'Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone'

Of course, that was the first of many lines for Ginny, who went on to be Harry’s love interest and eventual wife. However, Wright didn’t know where the story was going in 2001 (the final book didn’t hit shelves until 2007).

“At that point [while filming Sorcerer’s Stone ], a couple of the books had come out, but for so many of us, we really didn’t know the fate of our characters. So I was also grateful to have such a cool character arc, ” she told Us . “Ginny has such a massive, huge journey that she goes on that was really fun to be able to play for 10 years.”

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Wright recently got to return to the place where all the magic first happened for the upcoming Max competition series Wizards of Baking , in which bakers create Potter-inspired desserts. She was announced as a guest judge on the new show during the Back to Hogwarts event.

“It was really fun,” she said of the experience. “We filmed it pretty recently, like, back in July. It’s with my lovely brothers, James and Oliver Phelps. They do such a brilliant job of presenting a show and really just taking us back to the magic of the series. We filmed on the actual sets, which I think people are gonna love because to return to them and see them in more detail is so cool.”

Wizards of Baking will premiere later this fall on Max, where all eight Harry Potter films are currently available to stream.

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COMMENTS

HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE
A review of the first book in the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling, published in 1998. The review praises the imaginative details, the action-oriented plot, and the magic school setting, but does not mention the author's name.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone Book Review
The school year structure of this book and the subsequent books makes for a really easy method to control pace for the story. The ending ties in many story notes from earlier on in the book such as learning magical spells that come in handy at the end of the book, playing a game of chess. Paying attention in potions class.
Harry Potter And the Sorcerer's Stone: Book Review
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone novel by J. K. Rowling. Suspicious activity at Hogwarts like a three-headed dog guarding a trap door and a troll somehow entering and attacking Hogwarts makes the trio suspicious. Harry, Ron, and Hermione soon discover Professor Dumbledore is hiding something at Hogwarts and someone is trying hard to ...
Book Review: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, by J.K. Rowling
Harry spends most of the book obsessed with his Nimbus 2000 broomstick, but of course the entire book hinges on the safety of the titular Sorcerer's Stone (known in the UK as the Philosopher's Stone). The Sorcerer's Stone is the creation of alchemist Nicolas Flamel and using it can grant a person immortality.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
The first book in the Harry Potter series, published in 1997, follows the adventures of a young wizard at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Read ratings, reviews, genres, book details, and more on Goodreads, the world's largest community for readers.
Book Review & Discussion: Harry Potter & The Sorcerer's Stone
THIS BOOK! ⚡ This book has literally triggered a cultural revolution. It has impacted so many lives and influenced so many minds. It's crazy to even think about how much one boy living in one magical world created by one author could change so many lives. I first read this book in fifth grade, but I skimmed through it without really ...
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone Review
A detailed review of the first book in the Harry Potter series, exploring the themes of magic, heroism, and sacrifice. Learn how J.K. Rowling creates a captivating world of magic and a compelling story of good versus evil.
Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone
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 ...
Book Review: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Review. Harry Potter was an incredibly amusing read, with amiable characters that truly made the story stand out. This novel is a must-read for people of all ages. It has an air of mystery, is captivating, and provides entertainment. The book portrays real-world events in a fantasy world. The characters, including the main character Harry ...
HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE
A rousing first novel by J.K. Rowling, already an award-winner in England, featuring a boy wizard and his magical adventures at Hogwarts School. Kirkus Reviews praises the imaginative details, the action-oriented plot, and the Briticisms of this fantasy book for children.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Book 1
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Book 1. by J. K. Rowling. Eleven-year-old Harry Potter is an orphaned English boy forced to live with his horrible aunt and uncle, the Dursleys, and their chubby, spoiled son Dudley. They treat Harry cruelly and dislike him so much that they don't even celebrate his birthday.
Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone
Auds. Absolutely thrilling and magical!!! This story is about Harry Potter, a normal 11 year-old boy, who lives with his aunt's family on 4 Privet Drive. He is mistreated horribly by her son, Dudley, along with everybody else. Harry thinks that his life will always be the same, that he will have to go to bed hungry and be yelled at all the time.
Book Review: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Review. For people who want to enjoy an intriguing, fast paced novel, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is the perfect book to read. It keeps you involved throughout the book as most chapters have cliffhangers at the end. This novel is the first of the seven famous Harry Potter books by J.K. Rowling. The book is about 11 year old Harry ...
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone: Harry Potter, Book 1
A comprehensive and positive review of the first book in the Harry Potter series, covering plot, characters, themes, and suitability for kids. Parents and kids can read ratings, comments, and tips from other readers and experts.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, by J.K. Rowling
Written by J.K. Rowling. Age Range: 8 and up. Paperback: 336 pages. Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books; Reissue edition (June 26, 2018) ISBN-13: 978-1338299144. What to Expect: Fantasy and Magic. It is July 31. That means that it is Harry Potter's birthday and the the perfect opportunity to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Harry Potter and ...
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone Study Guide
A comprehensive guide to the first book in J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter series, covering plot summary, analysis, themes, quotes, characters, symbols, and more. Learn about the historical and literary context, the biography of the author, and the related books and movies of the wizarding world.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (1)
The first book in the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling, about a young wizard's adventures at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Read reviews, highlights, and sample chapters, or buy the book in hardcover, paperback, or Kindle format.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
The Sorcerer's Stone has the power to turn things to gold and to give immortality to humans. Voldemort, who lost most of his power in the battle with Harry's parents, is desperate to find the stone and use it for his own evil purposes. He enlists the help of one Hogwarts professor, and in the end, Harry meets both of them in hand-to-hand ...
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
The first book in the Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling, published in the UK in 1997 and in the US in 1998 as Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. It follows Harry's first year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where he faces the dark wizard Lord Voldemort.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone: The Illustrated Edition (Harry
The first book of the Harry Potter series, fully illustrated by Jim Kay, with the original text by J.K. Rowling. A deluxe gift for fans and new readers, with over 100 stunning illustrations and a review from School Library Journal.
20 magical facts about Harry Potter and the Philosopher's/Sorcerer's Stone
How many spells are namechecked in the first Harry Potter book? What is J.K. Rowling's favourite chapter? What does Voldemort's name mean? Find out all that - and more - in this enchanting infographic from Bloomsbury, as created especially once the first book turned 20 years old back in 2017. Take a look.
Nintendo Once Tried to Win the Exclusive Rights to Harry Potter
When the Harry Potter books were released in the late 1990s, they quickly became an international sensation, and it's no surprise to learn that many film studios wanted to get in on the action. As ...
Bonnie Wright Wants Son to Read Harry Potter Books Before Seeing Films
Harry Potter fans watched Ginny Weasley say "good luck" to The Boy Who Lived as he headed off to Hogwarts nearly 23 years ago in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone — and actress Bonnie ...