REVIEW: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by JK Rowling

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by JK Rowling

Published June 26, 1997

Harry Potter has never played a sport while flying on a broomstick. He’s never worn a cloak of invisibility, befriended a giant, or helped hatch a dragon. All Harry knows is a miserable life with the Dursleys, his horrible aunt and uncle, and their abominable son, Dudley. Harry’s room is a tiny closet at the foot of the stairs, and he hasn’t had a birthday party in eleven years.

But all that is about to change when a mysterious letter arrives by owl messenger: a letter with an invitation to a wonderful place he never dreamed existed. There he finds not only friends, aerial sports, and magic around every corner, but a great destiny that’s been waiting for him…if Harry can survive the encounter.

It should come as no surprise that my first book review had to be on one of the books in the Harry Potter series. If you read my previous blog post (here) or if you know me personally, you know that I have a special place in my heart for Harry Potter. It was not difficult for me to pick this book up and read it again. I honestly reread the entire series every few years, and each year I fall in love again and I become even more obsessed. As a teacher, when a student asks me for a book recommendation, my first response is Harry Potter. Most students at least know the story, a boy who is a wizard and must defeat the most powerful dark wizard. I remember one of my first times recommending the book was to a boy who didn’t really like reading. I struggled finding books he would enjoy, and finally I convinced him to read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. He devoured that book, and the subsequent books in the series. It destroyed him when the library didn’t have one of the books available and I had to control myself from going to the store and buying it for him. I loved seeing him fall in love with reading, which is why a lot of people love the Harry Potter Series.

Okay, before I spend this entire time on why I love the series, I better cut to the chase.

Here’s my short and sweet review:

This is a wonderful story about friendship, adventure, and finding yourself. The descriptions in the book are beautiful and really allow your imagination to go wild. The characters are relatable and you’ll find yourself connecting with at least one while reading this book. I give this book FIVE STARS because of the descriptions, imagery, suspense, and character development.

Some of my favorite quotes:

• “It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends.” -Albus Dumbledore
• “But from that moment on, Hermione Granger became their friend. There are some things you can’t share without ending up liking each other, and knocking out a twelve-foot mountain troll is one of them.”
• “Harry–yer a wizard.” -Rubeus Hagrid
• (About removing Harry’s scar) “Even if I could, I wouldn’t. Scars can come in handy. I have one myself above my left knee that is a perfect map of the London Underground.” -Albus Dumbledore

If you’ve read this book, please share your favorite quotes!

Thanks for reading!