Just as delightful and wonderful in the second reading as it was ten years ago. I was awed by the bread crumbs I found which lead to future books (the chapter 1 mention of "Young Sirius Black" loaning Hagrid the motorcycle, for instance). Either she had the whole story arc in mind or is a master of retrofitting a back-story. Regardless, Rowling's one of the most dynamic writers of our time.


Library School Review:

Amidst a horrible life with his aunt, uncle, and cousin, 11-year old Harry discovers there is more to his life than he ever imagined. When J.K. Rowling's first novel was published to critical and popular acclaim, she, much like her protagonist, had no idea what awaited her. Over the last dozen years, this book has been among the most challenged in the country, only recently coming off the ALA's most-banned list. The author's engaging and imaginative prose tells the story of a young wizard coming to grips with a secret world and powers he never knew he had. Most often, those objecting to the book (and the entire series, for that matter) cite the promotion of wizardry/witchcraft. A claim often leveled at fantasy literature is that children will get confused and not be able to tell fiction from fact. This has been soundly dismissed by, among others, C.S. Lewis. ( )

What's left to say? It's fantastic. ( )

I recently decided to read this for the first time and I am absolutely excited to say the least that this was by far a fantastical journey! Whimsical, beautiful, an elaborate story so beautifully crafted I will always love everything about this book and my wife told me just to read them and I have oh I so have such a great book and I can't believe it took me years to finally digest the story I will be plowing through the rest of them :) ( )

Harry Potter was blamed for many things in his ten years living with the Dursleys. Blamed for things which he had no control over made worse by Dudley’s harsh treatment. Dudley was cuddled with the utmost care by his parents. It turned out that the Dursleys were trying to stop Harry from being what he was, a wizard. When Harry turned eleven, he received an invitation to tend Hogwarts, a school for witches and wizards.

Since then, Harry had to learn the world of magic which he was a part of. Hagrid told Harry much about the past, but much was still needed to be learned. Having made good friends with Hermione and Ron who were able to help along the way while making an enemy of Malfoy who did his best to get Harry into trouble. Harry was a legend in the wizarding world and was known by all. The story mainly takes place at Hogwarts with Harry being a first-year student and going through what it took learn all that was needed to be learned. Along the way, the mystery of what was being guarded in Hogwarts was being revealed, and that the dark wizard who nobody wants to even mention the name of may still be alive. ( )

{My thoughts} – The book is like many others I have read. However, I don’t regret reading it. It’s a story about an orphaned boy named Harry Potter and his struggle to become something extraordinary. He has some help along the way as he is raised by his Muggle Aunt and Uncle, two non-magic individuals. They also have a non-magic son named Dudley who has one goal in mind and that is to treat Harry like dirt. Harry was left with them mysteriously one night after his parents had been killed by a very bad wizard. His father and mother were both magic folk so it makes sense that their son would be.

Albus Dumbledore arranged for Harry to be left with his Aunt and Uncle in order to protect him. He hoped that by him being raised in the Muggle world he would be safe from any of the bad wizards followers. Around his 11th birthday he starts receiving mail from Hogwarts School of Witch and Wizardry. When his Aunt and Uncle discover he is receiving mail they try to stop him by intersecting all his letters.

Eventually on Harry’s birthday Dumbledore the Headmaster at Hogwarts sends Hagrid the gamekeeper at Hogwarts to give Harry letter personally. Hagrid soon discovers that Harry was shielded from the magic world and knew nothing about where he had come from. Hagrid helps him get his school things, shows him that his parents left him with a ton of money and sends him back to the Durseley’s. Soon however he with be catching a train to Hogwarts.

Once he gets there he meets Ron and Hermonie his two best friends. They get into lots of trouble but manage to remain in the school. Harry becomes the first first year to be on a Quittidth team and to have their own broom. Near the end however, the three of them are put to the greatest test of bravery and are rewarded with the favored outcome.

I have to admit that after watching the movies I wasn’t expecting the characters to act in the ways they did in the book. Hermonie was a bit of a surprise. I really couldn’t get over how terrible she came off in the book, I really hope that isn’t her behavior throughout the books, cause in the movies I really enjoyed her character. Other then that I think it was a solid good read.

I look forward to reading the rest of the books in the near future. ( )