Review: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling

bookreview

by Captain Lyaf Yarr

Title: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Author: J.K. Rowling
Format: Paperback
Pages: 309
Grade Reading Level: 5.3, Ages 9+

Summary: An 11 year old boy, living with his Aunt and Uncle in Surrey,England, finds out that he is a wizard. Not only is he a wizard but he is labeled as The Boy-Who-Lived for defeating the Dark Lord Voldemort when he was a baby. Unaccustomed to magic, fame, and fortune, young Harry Potter must find his way in a whole new world. His first adventure is getting to school and making friends, but as dark stirrings begin to take shape a whole new adventure begins.

Why I Started the Book:

I read this book a long time ago, seen the movies, and felt like revisiting it. I plan to see if I can find hints of what happens in book seven in each story of the series as I believe Rowling left clues all along the way.

Likes:

Hogwarts is the most amazing place in fantasy. It has moving staircases, secret passages and rooms, talking portraits, extensive and beautiful grounds, not to mention quidditch! I want to go to school there and take classes learning magic. I can't believe any kid there would not do homework! I think Errol (the Weasley owl) must have been the one charged to deliver my Hogwarts letter because I am fairly certain I am a (pirate) witch.
Harry's scar, which is distinctive, is a wicked cool feature that everyone recognizes. It is the mark of the killing curse, the one he survived as a baby that made him famous. It also is a signal for Harry at times that something is not quite right. This is because Voldemort is nearby!
Hagrid is a wonderful character. He is Harry's first real friend and buys Harry a pet owl named Hedwig. Hagrid is taller than most wizards and works for Dumbledore at the school under the title Keeper of Keys and Grounds. Hagrid has a love of all things beastly from three headed dogs to dragons and back again.
Hermione's clever solving of the potion bottle riddle Snape put in as his challenge in guarding the Sorcerer's Stone at the end of the book. I am so mad that scene isn't in the movie!
Fred and George. They are my ultimate favorite characters and I want them as my brothers!

Dislikes:

Draco's pathetic trick of a midnight duel. What a cowardly thing to do -- just like the snake he is!
The drinking of unicorn blood. It serves it's purpose to point out that Lord Voldemort is evil, but it's pretty disturbing thing to think about.

Buy: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Hardcover), Harry Potter Paperback Boxed Set (Books 1-7), Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Audio Book), Harry Potter 1- 7 Audio Book Collection

Rating: I give this book 4.5 treasure chests!
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