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Summary: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Review: As a mother, I wanted to see what all of the fuss was about. After reading this book, it was obvious. I then read a chapter of the book to my 10 year old daughter. She hung on each word. This was an opportunity to spend a quantity of quality time and gave us a great deal to talk about, including discussing the "clues" that the author interwove throughout the chapters. We couldn't wait to read the "Chamber of Secrets". This book is a definite must for all ages.
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Summary: Finally, a "Roald Dahl" for the next century!
Review: As a passionate reader of children's literature and former 4th grade teacher, I give this book my whole-hearted recommendation. Harry is a delightful hero, one both girls and boys alike will adore. He reminds me of the great child heroes in Roald Dahl's books (i.e. James, Charlie, Sophie, Matilda). To be compared with Roald Dahl is, in my opinion, the greatest compliment an author could receive. I only regret I don't have a 4th grade class to read this book aloud to. (My two year-old son just isn't quite the same audience.)
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Summary: Great Fantasy
Review: As a public school librarian I have read thousands of books. I also work for a school district which unfortunately has a large "controversial" book list (Dr. Suess has come up for review). J.K. Rowlings' Harry Potter series ranks with some of the greatest children's and young adult fantasy writers. Her series of books (I have just finished reading them in 1 week) are imaginative, thought provoking and humerous. I beleive they will become books that I will not be able to keep on my library shelves. For students who enjoy the fantasy genre I would highly recommend these titles. These would also be a good starting place for students who haven't yet read any fantasy. They can then go on to the classic writers before Rowling (L'Engle, Lewis, Alexander). I plan on buying the series for my 8 yr. old to read with him. I think he will enjoy then immensely. Thank you, J.K. Rowling.
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Summary: Not just for children :0)
Review: As a reluctant 35 year-young adult, I picked up this book per the recommendation of my beloved wife. I fully expected the worst, and as page followed page I found that I couldn't put the book down. A very captivating read, I plan to read the rest in this series soon.
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Summary: A Magical Masterpiece
Review: As a self-proclaimed vocabulary nerd and lover of things like Russian Literature, I was quite wary of the Harry Potter craze that was sweeping the nation. In an age when people like Oprah are dictating the public's reading lists, I am skeptical of any novel that produces mass hysteria. After reading the Harry Potter series, I may be a changed (however slightly) woman. The books are beautifully written and full of clever characters that you can't help but fall in love with. I found myself laughing out loud and cheering Harry along in his journeys, something that is not exactly the norm in long, stuffy old novels. It may not be induced into the canon anytime soon, but it certainly should be - Harry Potter is one of the most fun, entertaining, whimsical series I've ever read. It's impossible to put down, and perfect for summer reading when it is far too hot to think extensively anyway. At the very least, give it a try - you can never have too much magic in your life.
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Summary: Fabulous Fun for All Ages!
Review: As a senior in highschool, I was persuaded to read Harry Potter by the validictorian who read it in our AP Economics class. The style of writing struck me as lighthearted yet articulate, being incredibly humorous while keeping wordiness at a minimum. The universe captured in Harry Potter enthralls young and old; an imaginary world of which 'muggles' like you or I are completely unaware. This book is a marvelous first chapter book for a 1st-3rd grader, or a fun filled novel to read in between chapters of Leo Tolstoy's Anna Karenina (as I did). I would recommend this book- and indeed the entire series- to anyone, anywhere. Also, the Harry Potter books remind me greatly of those written by another English author- Roald Dahl. If Harry Potter interests you, I recommend Matilda, the BIG, or the Twits, all by R. Dahl.
Rating: 
Summary: A decent book brilliantly hyped
Review: As a summer camp counselor at the time of the 4th book's release, I was surrounded by harry potter books. I finally caved in to the peer pressure (don't we all?) and bought the first book. It's a good book. Not great, just good. The story is fun, decently exciting, and captivating in its descriptions of wizardry and sorcery. However, it's just not that special. Read Dahl or Lewis. In my opinion, this series has caught on because the product has been hyped and marketed so well, which isn't all bad, considering its causing kids to read, as opposed to other commercialized fads like boy bands and other pop music garbage. I liked the book, but as an avid reader all my life, I can think of hundreds of books similar to the harry potter series (with its 'kid' content and 'adult' appeal) that are far superior. Middle schoolers who liked this book would love Ender's Game or Watership Down. Parents should use the popularity of this mediocre book to encourage their kids to expand their reading to better novels worth the hype h.p. has received.
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Summary: Grown-ups will love this too!
Review: As a teacher (and an adult), I am delighted to discover Harry Potter. After a slow start (during which I questioned all the hype...), the book proved to be hugely entertaining, very creative and full of surprises. I am already into the second book and have the third on order. I'm certain adults who are knowledgeable about Harry Potter will gain all kinds of admiration from his younger fans. Hurray for fantasy that adults can enjoy too!
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Summary: I love it, and students would rather I read then have recess
Review: As a teacher and an avid reader of children's literature, I became entranced by the world of Harry Potter. I commend J.K. Rowling for her keen insight into a fantasy world that becomes real through common situations. This book is exciting, dynamic and incredibly funny! I finished this book in a weekend and had decided to read it to my class. While I normally read to my student about twenty minutes per day, they wanted nothing more then for me to continue with the story. My students even asked me to read instead of having an extra recess. In case you didn't know, nothing ever beats an extra recess.
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Summary: The best kids book (by a new author!!) I have read
Review: As a teacher I can recommend this book to all middle school students (and their parents!) The story is fun to read yet has a good message (without getting "preachy" and turning kids off). Harry and his friends are realistically drawn and the school sounds like a place a kid would want to attend(I wouldn't mind teaching there!)
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