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Summary: The best book I've ever read!
Review: Imagine yourself as a 10-year-old boy living with your aunt, uncle, and your bully of a cousin. You live under the stairs in a cupboard and you eat the family's leftovers. That's exactly the way young Harry Potter's life is, until a letter from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry reaches him in the middle of a dark, stormy night. From this point on, Harry's life is completely turned around. He learns a lot of new things that he didn't know when he lived in the "muggle" world, and with the help of his friends, courage and loyalty, Harry learns that he can accomplish anything. So when a dark, twisted mystery starts coming into view, Harry and his friends decide they must try to solve it. Almost everything is a clue to this mystery...even detention! You can find out for yourself how this mystery is solved by reading this book. It's definitely the best book I've ever read!
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Summary: My Review of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Review: Imagine yourself in a school in a far away land where ghosts and goblins are a common sight. In this mysterious school you will encounter new students, none which you already know, and you will be taught how to perform incredible magic by some of the best wizards and witches on earth. While learning the basics (mathematics, literature, etc.), you will also be expected to learn make potions out of items that you had only dreamed of, as well as learning a few dozen spells.In a wonderful book ,Harry Potter and the Socerer's Stone, J.K. Rowling creates a young boy named Harry Potter, who experiences all of that and more. After being mistreated by his aunt and uncle, for ten long years, Harry recieves a letter to come to Hogwarts. While at Hogwarts Harry Potter is involved in school, a sport called Quidditch, and the search for an evil sorcerer. This book is incredible. At first I thought that this book was childish, but after I read it I realized not only that it would entertain a child, but that I was very impressed with how well the book was written. Even though I had never read a fantasy book before this, I now can say that fantasy is one of my most favorite genre of novels to read. This book was wonderful, and I honestly believe that it is for every person of any age. While reading this book you will also learn about how values can be mixed in with a great book. This quote about how much a mother loves her son is just one example: "Your mother died to save you. If there is one thing Voldemort cannot understand, it is love."(p.299)
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Summary: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Review: In a completely ordinary house in London a boy named Harry Potter lives with his rather nasty aunt, uncle, and cousin. Harry has always had strange things happen to him, but has never known why. One day Harry finds out a secret about his parents, that explains every strange thing that has ever happened to him. His parents were wizards, and Harry is taken to a magical place full of new things. He meets new friends, plays new sports, and even finds out more about his parents.
During the book, Harry learns a lot about his parents, who have been dead as long as he can remember. He gets the chance to see them one night when he sneaks out of bed and gets lost. He finds a room with a mirror in it, but this isn't an everyday mirror. In it he sees his parents and when he realizes this he decides to bring his friend Ron to see the mirror with him the next night. Ron stood in front of the mirror and didn't see his parents. Harry goes back to the mirror alone and the headmaster of his school is there, he explains to Harry that whoever looks in the mirror will see the thing they want the most, and for Harry it was to see his parents.
This book let's us see many things kids deal with everyday such as, trouble with teachers and students, making friends, and family. Harry Potter added something to all of these things because J.K Rowling made the book about magic and facing your fears instead of just school, friends, and family. Even if you don't like reading about magic, you'll like this game.
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Summary: Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone
Review: In a previous review, a reader from Austin, TX responded to Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone saying, "If you respect your children, look for a higher quality book than this." I strongly disagree with this comment because I believe J.K. Rowling combines important life lessons with a whirlwind of mythical creatures and exciting characters to create an unforgettable book for all ages to enjoy. Harry Potter is orphaned at a very young age and is sent to live with his "muggle" relatives. Then mysterious letters informing Harry of his acceptance to Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry begin his magical adventure. He travels through an enchanted train station, survives the Forbidden Forest, and encounters everything from ghosts and trolls, to unicorns and dragons. Throughout his adventures, Harry must learn to maintain his grades by studying, and he must face many rivals, such as Draco Malfoy, a school enemy, Snape, his Potions master, and even Voldemort, the Dark Lord. He is taught basic rules of discipline through a point system, he learns the importance of teamwork from the "broomstick soccer" game called Quidditch, and he must challenge evil and confront his fears. You find yourself asking "What is being guarded by the ferocious three-headed dog on the third floor, Who is the Man with Two Faces, and is Voldemort gone for good?" J.K. Rowling takes you soaring through a fantasy world of magic and witchcraft and you become a student in this magical school of witchcraft as you follow Harry through each trial and adventure. She uses simple language to appeal to all ages and adds words from the magical world adding humor and mirth. Rowling is described as a new Roald Dahl, the author of James and the Giant Peach, as she captures the reader with magical phantasms and carries them through lessons in life.
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Summary: An instant classic!
Review: In actuality, the thing is that my Aunt Laura practically forced me to read the Harry Potter series and she said that she *knew* I would like 'em. But, for about four months I refused to even pick up a Harry Potter book based on the fact that I thought they looked childish. Yet, when I finished "Blindsided" by Clyde Phillips I had to pick from three different books - The first in the Harry Potter series, Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien, or Make Believe by Joanna Scott. So, what I did was I read the first few pages of each book and, before I even got to another book, I was head over heels in the Harry Potter book! I couldn't put it down! "Childish" - Hah! The books are *so* adorable and are amazing! I love them! The characters are extremely realistic, the fantasy parts of the book are so detailed and wonderfully written that you wouldn't be surprised if they were real! So, I finished book 1 yesterday and all I can say is.. buy it! If you're contemplating on buying it, get it. No matter what age you are, you'll love this/these book(s). They may be under the "Children's Books" category but, they're anything but children's books. My aunt, who's 53 and my mom who's 49 *love* these books and are eagerly awaiting the 5th book! Get this/these book(s), you won't regret it!
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Summary: Imaginative and gripping
Review: In all honesty, like most over-hyped things I was a skeptic about the Harry Potter novels. After a friend of mine read the first installment and loved it, I decided to read it for myself - and I am glad I did. The character's are brilliantly written and it's so action packed that you don't want to put it down. I am now well on my way to the second book. Great fun!
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Summary: The next generation of magic!
Review: In an ordinary world, people long for excitement. Many people love to imagine, and "Harry Potter" is your #1 passport to a world of imagination! Are you tired of reality? This is exactly what happened to the book's main character. The story concerns Harry, a strange, orphaned, young boy, who is tormented by everyone, especially his way-too-normal aunt, uncle, and spoiled brat cousin, Dudely Dursley. But strange things occur, and Harry experiences somethings that never happened before. He's even found out about his secret past, that he is actually the son of two, famous wizards, and that he's going to a special school for wizards in a secret, magical world! Though his cruel aunt and uncle are shocked by this, the friendly giant Hagrid convices Harry to come to the magical boarding school, known as Hogwarts School of Witchcraft a Wizardry. Now, nothing is the same! While he's too young to be in, Harry unexpectedly is selected to play for a team on a magical game. He evens meets new friends, such as the clumsy, yet lovable Ron Weasly, and he even meets new enemies, especially the spoiled, arrogant, and stupid Draco Malfoy. But can he protect the the mysterious Sorcerer's Stone from a mysterious enemey? People are either reading a lot, reading less, or not reading at all. But with this book, what will happen next? If you probably offered a child how reads less, who knows? He might even start reading for many hours each day! What's so special about "Harry Potter"? The answer is simple. Adventure, action, and excitement. J.K. Rowling has taken mythical creatures, beings, and other magical stuff, then blended them all into one, fasinating story! I assure you that you will read this masterpiece and enjoy it!
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Summary: Not all it's cracked up to be
Review: In anticipation of the movie, and just in an attempt to keep up with popular culture, I picked up and read the first two books of the Harry Potter series. At first, they seemed enjoyable, and they definately held my interest. They are obviously children's books, and I am keeping this in mind, but there are two glaring problems with these books: 1. All the characters, whether good and evil, all sneak around and cheat to accomplish their aims. There are generally no consequences, or else the consequences don't match the deceit involved. Harry Potter and his friends (the good guys) constantly sneak around, lie, and steal to do whatever it is they need to do. When caught, they manage to miss the most severe punishment or else get off scott free. There are two problems with this: First, it just gets annoying after a while to see every plot twist accomplished by a "good" character acting this way, especially when they are kids, and second (and more importantly), Is this the message we want to send to the millions of young kids who read these books? 2. Rowling constantly employs Deus ex Machina to solve plot problems. Harry Potter is extraorinarily passive. At first, he is at the mercy of the evil Dursleys, and then of Hagrid, and then of bullies at Hogwarts, then the teachers there, then the bad guys. He is always "getting into situations" from which he must be extracted with strained plot twists. Someone comes along to save the day, or whatever it might be. After a while, this becomes extremely tedious to read. Harry Potter is contantly in the middle of situations he didn't create for himself. He is blamed for doing things he didn't do; he is at the wrong place at the wrong time; a teacher or fellow student hates him for no apparent reason. All of this adds up to a storyline full of holes. I gave it two stars because, in spite of all this, the books did hold my attention, and Ms. Rowling is, I think, good at writing (if not storytelling).
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Summary: Ooooooo
Review: In elementary school, I absolutely loathed reading for some reason. Most kids did, except for the REALLY smart kids with really responsible parents. Well, my mom, in an attempt to get me to read, took me to the nearest Borders book store, and asked me to pick out any book that I wanted. I wasn't so sure about what I wanted, and not that interested for that matter, but I saw a random Harry Potter book standing upright by itself in a corner, all alone, and I thought, "Why not. I heard it was good..." This was the summer before 6th grade. So, I actually ended up reading the third Harry Potter book first, but it captivated me, and I went out to purchase the first, second, and when it came out, the fourth. My parents were shocked! Four books on my shelf! They were the first big chapter books that I'd bought in a while, my last before them being a second grade biography book. I consumed these books quickly and diligently. The Harry Potter books taught me how good and enjoyable books can be, and they started my reading craze, which hasn't stopped since, to the delight of my parents. I now consume at least one big book a week (which is a lot, considering that I used to consume squat books, hehe), and here is a look at the book/s that sparked my interest in reading... Harry Potter is a famous boy, known as the only survivor of one of the evil Lord Voldemort's attempted murders. The first book begins when Harry is 11. He is utterly mistreated by his maternal aunt, uncle, and cousin, Dudley. Harry is shocked and delighted when he finds out that he is in actuality a wizard, as were his mother and father, and it's off to wizarding school for him! It is at this school that Harry gains friends, learns spells, gains enemies, and has a very interesting time. If you'd like more information, just read the other reviews or excerpts or whatever, because reviews are for opinions not information, hahaha, so I suggest that everyone who likes to read or who would like to learn to love to read should read the Harry Potter books. J. K. Rowling is a magnificent author, and I hope that after the Harry Potter series, she will produce more and even greater pieces of work. Good luck to her and all emerging authors!
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Summary: What I liked about Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Review: In Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling, was one of the better books written that I have read this year. To begin, I appreciated the fact that the author kept the book at a fast pace, leading you to read on what happens in the next page. Wondering if Harry would make it to the train on time, if he will be able to defeat Professor Quirrell and Voldemort in time, or if the House Gryffindor will have enough points to win the house cup, were just a few examples on how Rowling kept you glued to the book for hours. Secondly, I enjoyed how the author wrote the book with many twists and turns, and descriptions of muggle land and so a variety of ages and readers could enjoy the book. Additionally, I took pleasure in the fictional world of wizards and witches. Just even thinking if we did live in a world filled with magic is mind boggling. Finally, what I relished the most, is how Rowling deceived the readers to think who the antagonist of the story is. Many readers and myself thought that Professor Snape was after the stone, but in factuality, it was professor Quirrell who was after the stone. There was many turns and twists but in other words, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone was worth my time to read the book.
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