Rating: 
Summary: Without the hype, what might this be?
Review: I picked up Harry Potter because I wanted to see what the big deal was about. I only wish I could know what I'd think of this without everybody screaming that it's fantastic. I think I would have liked it pretty well, but I wouldn't wait up all night for the next one in the series (well, maybe...). It can be compared to stuff like A Wrinkle in Time, only much more lighthearted and the characters do seem slightly more real. Harry and his friends could be any fourth/fifth grader (except maybe Hermione) and the way he deals with his problems isn't anything out of whack. What makes these stories so fun is Rowling's sense of humor and oddity. But is it all fun and games? Well, the first one is, generally, but don't get to hooked on this series if you're not willing to put up with the Dark Arts...
Rating: 
Summary: The one that sucked me in . . .
Review: I picked up my sister's copy of this book while visiting my parents and read the first chapter on a whim. When it was time to leave I had to smuggle it out of the house because I couldn't imagine not finishing it on the trip home! I've heard others say that compared to the rest of the series, this book is bogged down in exposition, but I enjoyed learning about the background and setting for this story. Though I have never stopped reading children's books, I haven't had such an incredible children's-book experience since Roald Dahl's "James and the Giant Peach." I found the ending of the story inspired and the whole experience left me yearning for the next 'installment.' Thanks, Harry and Ms. Rowling, for bringing magic back into children's literature.
Rating:
Summary: Such an easy read
Review: I picked up the first Harry Potter book, HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE on a flight...figured I would finally see what all the fuss was about....After a short one hour flight, I found myself nearing page 100! I have never had such an easy read. It's fun, intriguing, exceptionally easy to get into (one of my worries when first purchasing the book), and as I stated earlier--as supremely easy read. Pick it up!
Rating:
Summary: I Can't Believe I Read The Whole Thing!
Review: I picked up this "kid's book" just to see what all the fuss was about. Since I haven't enjoyed fantasy-type books in the past, I wasn't expecting much, but at least I would be able to relate to all the media hype. To my surprise, I actually enjoyed reading this book and couldn't wait to finish it. Parts of the plot were predictible, but the ending was a surprise to me-- maybe because I hadn't put much thought into it. I found this book to be a fast, enjoyable read and a great way to wind down the day. I look forward to reading the rest of the series and to seeing the movie.
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Summary: Adults - don't be fooled, read it too!
Review: I picked up this book accidentally when I was waiting for a train, and it is excellent. While I can see that children would enjoy it tremendously, since the kids win out against the bad guys, anyone who enjoys SF or fantasy will love it too. In fact the author claimed in an article last week that she wrote it for herself originally. So don't take any notice of the reviewers who say it's a childrens book. It might be, but adults can read - and enjoy - it too. (My mother's about to go and buy the second instalment in hardback!)
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Summary: Wonderful Book for young and old alike
Review: I picked up this book along with book 2 about 2 days ago. I was planning on using them next year as I am a teacher and thought my kids would like to hear the story. Boy was I amazed! Not only was the story completely fun and exciting, it had me up late finishing it. Harry Potter is the perfect kind of hero for a children's story and all will be cheering for him through his many adventures and problems at Hogwarts school and with his Muggle family he is forced to live with. I am now reading book 2 The Chamber of secrets and can't wait to purchase book 3 which is already out, and book 4 due to come out on July 8! If you like interesting stories, filled with adventure, hilarity, and magic you will love the Harry Potter series.
Rating:
Summary: Only 5 stars?
Review: I picked up this book as a whim 3 years ago when I was 22 because i wanted to see what the hype was all about. I was hooked after chapter 2. This book starts the whole Harry Potter trend. If you like fantasy, Sci-fi, and great characters, please pick up this book. You will not regret it, and will be running out to pick up the rest.
Rating:
Summary: This is the best book I've ever read
Review: I picked up this book because it was 1-2-3 on the bestseller list. I thought it was probably a fad. I was terribly wrong! It had enormous depth and you were really pulling for the charecters. The ending was like the rest of the book, Superb! I would reccomend this book to a child who wants to start reading or an adult who wants a free reading book.
Rating:
Summary: An Adventure to lighten the heart
Review: I picked up this book because of the title. Magic is the food that sustains the young at heart. After coming across the article about J. K. Rowling in a recent issue of "People" magazine, I doubly wanted to read the book. This book is both adventurous and humorous. The characters of Harry Potter, and his friends at Hogworts are lively and enjoyable. The Dursley family are so terrible that they are likeable. I highly recommend this book for evryone from young to old. It's a great read.
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Summary: Fun for grown-ups, too!
Review: I picked up this book because the movie previews looked so fascinating. Several of my co-workers (adults, obviously) had read it, and they said it was excellent. I have to agree. You know the plot by now: Harry's parents were killed by the evil Lord Voldemort, and he was raised by his Muggle aunt and uncle until the age of 11, when he is accepted to Hogwarts. What some parents may not know is that this book will amuse and entertain adults just as much as it does the kids. I laughed out loud several times while reading it, and I stayed up far past my bedtime to finish it (something I haven't done since I was a kid!). I also was interested in reading the books because I wanted to see what some Christians' problems with them were. (I'm a practicing Catholic, for the record.) I found nothing that concerned me -- there's absolutely no religious content here, not Christian or Wiccan or anything else. Sure, your kid will wish he or she could do magic after reading this; so do I. But unless you're just plain anti-fun, there's nothing wrong with a little harmless fantasy.
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