Rating: 
Summary: "A delightful reading experience for all ages."
Review: As a fifty-five year old grandmother, I have read many books over the years. I have most recently read from authors Tom Clancy, John Grisham, Andrew Greeley, Jayne Ann Krentz, Jeffrey Deaver and others. My ten year old granddaughter has read and reread "Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone" in recent months. I read the book out of curiousity because she seemed to be so enamored. I found reading the book to be a delighful experience. The character's were so "human" and refreshing. I can hardly wait to read "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets". However, I must first finish Diane Galbaldon's "Drums of Autumn".
Rating: 
Summary: Magically delicious
Review: As a first book in a series, almost the first half of the book is devoted to setting up the story that has to happen later. Still, the plotlines of this second story are laid out early on, so the book does not seem to break from the origin-of-Harry-Potter to the story of the Sorcerer's Stone. That alone is worth a couple stars.
I found the storytelling style similar to that of Roald Dahl, who wrote Matilda, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and many other children's stories. I think this is what has many of the protesters upset. There are some things that happen in the book that Americans have been conditioned to believe, over the last thirty years or so, that we have to hide from children. Scary monsters, people getting hurt, and generally nasty villains, for example. We seem to have sanitized these things from our literature in favor of more "child-friendly" story endings where nobody really gets hurt and everything turns out OK, monsters aren't really evil but only misunderstood, people we thought were dead come back, and the happy home is preserved. Well, not in this book. Harry's Parents die early on in the novel (we learn about this from other characters; we don't read it happening) and they don't come back.
The story itself is great, full of new ideas and new angles on old ideas. It inspires imagination in the children and adults who read it. I can't understand why anyone would be stupid enough to want to ban it in our schools. I thought the goal of a school was to encourage children to think. I believe this book does that successfully, as I watched my daughter try to puzzle out the mystery, and even enjoying having been wrong about some her guesses when she finished the book. It's a treat for children and adults!
Rating:
Summary: Kids reluctant to read enjoy Harry Potter!
Review: As a fourth grade teacher I read the Harry Potter books this summer and am totally hooked. They are the best reading I have done for pleasure in a very long time. I am now reading the book to my class and even the reluctant readers are inspired to pick up the book and read it on their own. The descriptions and the story captivate the imagination and inspire students to read more as they are transported to a magical world that seems familiar. I look forward to reading all the Harry Potter books. J.K. Rowling is an exceptional writer!
Rating:
Summary: A thoroughly entertaining, enjoyable read for ALL AGES!
Review: As a full-time nanny, I first ran across the Harry Potter books reading bedtime stories to "my" kids. I read the first chapter of "...the Sorcerer's Stone" to the kids one night -- and the next day I ran out and bought all three books in the series for myself! What's more, I finished all three in as many days. Anyone and everyone (kids, parents and kids-at-heart) will thoroughly enjoy reading these books. Ms. Rowling has the amazing and rare ability to pull her readers so far into the story that even we adults nearly fall victim to believing in the magic of Harry Potter's world.
Rating:
Summary: Enchanting!
Review: As a Grandmother of a seven year old and a nine year old who have thoroughly enjoyed discovering Harry Potter, I decided to meet him also. What a treat. Not only is the writing great but there is a real moral thread throughout. Responsibility and loyalty are just two of the character traits demonstrated in a very entertaining manner. My only reservation is that some younger children might find the evil scenes overwhelming. Parents might want to preview the book before reading it to their little ones.
Rating:
Summary: A must for my media center
Review: As a librarian, I look for books to entice my students. This is one of the best I have found. I began reading this to a group of 6th graders, and they were mesmerized. Hats off to you, Ms. Rowling. We will be looking forward to the next. Yes! I think my English accents and growly voices may have helped.
Rating:
Summary: A Magical Journey
Review: As a Library Assistant, I know first-hand the power Harry Potter holds over the kids. No less than five children a day ask for these books, and they are never checked in. The waiting list is a mile long. I decided to see what all the fuss was about. Am I ever glad I did... What a wonderful beginning to what I'm sure is a fantastic series! Harry Potter is at once a fascinating and engaging character, one I can't wait to read about further. The writing is simple enough for the younger children, but is entertaining for those of all ages. Not only was Harry interesting, but all characters introduced were fun to get to know and spend time with. This is a book worthy of all the attention it is getting and more!
Rating:
Summary: A Must read for every child, parent and grandparent.!
Review: As a life-long, avid reader, I have never before recommended a book to my children, grandchildren and friends alike. Oh! To be a child again! The rich imagination combines with reality to blend delightful suspense and satisfactory surprises for every reader. Rowling has penned pages that will enrich the libraries of young and old, to be treasured with traditional classics.
Rating:
Summary: Great for middle school boys and resistant readers!
Review: As a middle school literature teacher, I'm excited about Harry Potter. I have a master's degree in reading and these are the greatest books to snag resitant readers for some time. We're reading them aloud, doing bulletin boards, checking the web site and buying books wherever we can find them. My students love my accents for the various characters. We're trying to get them in our school library and in our Accellerated Reader program.
Rating:
Summary: An Instant Classic..and a genuine MUST READ!
Review: As a mother of four sons, I have always made a point of reading any books I plan to purchase for my children; not only to screen for content, but so we can discuss the book when they have finished it. I bought the first in the Harry Potter series and was instantly smitten! I literally did not put it down until I had finished it. I, too, was reared on the trials and tribulations of Bilbo Baggins from the H.R.R. Tolkien series, and I'm delighted to be able to share this series with my boys. The writing whisks the reader away to a land where magic is common and muggles, (non-magic persons) are an oddity. I can close my eyes and see every twist and turn in wonderful old Hogwarth! Who could read of the rotten treatment Harry receives at the hands of his awful aunt and uncle and not be moved? I've not enjoyed reading a children's series so much since the "Indian in the Cupboard" books, and honestly, I've enjoyed this series even more! My children are now all teenagers, and I would not only recommend these books to them, but I would actively encourage them to enter the world of Harry Potter.
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