Format: Paperback
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Pages: 224
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 224
Age Group: Young Adult
Challenge: Harry Potter Reading Challenge, Book Blogger Recommendation Challenge, 100+ Reading Challenge, Read and Review Challenge
Buy this book: Amazon UK
Buy this book: Amazon UK
Synopsis [Amazon UK]
Say you've spent the first 10 years of your life sleeping under the stairs of a family who loathes you. Then, in an absurd, magical twist of fate you find yourself surrounded by wizards, a caged snowy owl, a phoenix-feather wand and jellybeans that come in every flavour, including strawberry, curry, grass and sardine. Not only that, but you discover that you are a wizard yourself! This is exactly what happens to young Harry Potter in J K Rowling's enchanting, funny debut novel, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. In the non-magical human world--the world of "Muggles"--Harry is a nobody, treated like dirt by the aunt and uncle who begrudgingly inherited him when his parents were killed by the evil Voldemort. But in the world of wizards, small, skinny Harry is renowned as a survivor of the wizard who tried to kill him. He is left only with a lightning-bolt scar on his forehead, curiously refined sensibilities and a host of mysterious powers to remind him that he's quite, yes, altogether different from his aunt, uncle, and spoilt, pig-like cousin Dudley.
A mysterious letter, delivered by the friendly giant Hagrid, wrenches Harry from his dreary, Muggle-ridden existence: "We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry". Of course, Uncle Vernon yells most unpleasantly, "I AM NOT PAYING FOR SOME CRACKPOT OLD FOOL TO TEACH HIM MAGIC TRICKS!" Soon enough, however, Harry finds himself at Hogwarts with his owl Hedwig ... and that's where the real adventure--humorous, haunting, and suspenseful--begins.
A mysterious letter, delivered by the friendly giant Hagrid, wrenches Harry from his dreary, Muggle-ridden existence: "We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry". Of course, Uncle Vernon yells most unpleasantly, "I AM NOT PAYING FOR SOME CRACKPOT OLD FOOL TO TEACH HIM MAGIC TRICKS!" Soon enough, however, Harry finds himself at Hogwarts with his owl Hedwig ... and that's where the real adventure--humorous, haunting, and suspenseful--begins.
This review should probably be a bit different from my other reviews as the answers to my usual questions should be obvious for Harry Potter! Maybe I'm a bit biased? However, I know there are people out there who have never actually read the books so I'll keep it the same!
The cover...
I think this cover is gorgeous. It's a new look for the Harry Potter collection and I think it looks great!
How did I find out about this book?
How did I find out about this book?
I have grown up knowing about Harry Potter, reading Harry Potter and watching the Harry Potter movies. I adore HP!
What is this book about?
This book is about a boy named Harry Potter whose mother and father were killed when he was really young, he was nearly killed himself. He is brought up by his muggle (non-magic folk) aunt and uncle and never knew that magic existed. With the help of Hagrid he finds out he's a wizard and escapes the evil clutches of Petunia and Vernon for a school year at Hogwarts!
My opinion...
What is this book about?
This book is about a boy named Harry Potter whose mother and father were killed when he was really young, he was nearly killed himself. He is brought up by his muggle (non-magic folk) aunt and uncle and never knew that magic existed. With the help of Hagrid he finds out he's a wizard and escapes the evil clutches of Petunia and Vernon for a school year at Hogwarts!
My opinion...
I have only ever read the Harry Potter series once, and I'm sure I stopped at the Goblet of Fire. I don't really know why, but at the time I wasn't that big of a Harry Potter fan. However, now I can't get enough! I own almost all of the dvds and am now going back to reading the books again and reliving the adventure.
Reading the books after having watched all the films changed my perspective. I was able to picture all of the characters perfectly as well as their voices and mannerisms and I'm so glad I waited until I'd watched the films to pick up the books again! I usually don't like book-to-movie combos but I always tend to give them a try anyway and this one did not disappoint!
It made me look at the books in a different light and I was able to see some life lessons sticking out as well: "It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live, remember that." A quote from Dumbledore himself, speaking to Harry in reference to the Mirror of Erised.
I loved that the movie has followed the book almost perfectly and I can't wait to read about Harry's next adventure!
If you enjoyed this book: what to read next...
Reading the books after having watched all the films changed my perspective. I was able to picture all of the characters perfectly as well as their voices and mannerisms and I'm so glad I waited until I'd watched the films to pick up the books again! I usually don't like book-to-movie combos but I always tend to give them a try anyway and this one did not disappoint!
It made me look at the books in a different light and I was able to see some life lessons sticking out as well: "It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live, remember that." A quote from Dumbledore himself, speaking to Harry in reference to the Mirror of Erised.
I loved that the movie has followed the book almost perfectly and I can't wait to read about Harry's next adventure!
If you enjoyed this book: what to read next...
I don't think I'll ever not adore Harry Potter and if you have never read the books then you are missing out! There's even a Harry Potter Reading Challenge to participate in so there's no reason not to read them! Next in the series is The Chamber of Secrets!
