Rating: 
Summary: Not bad...not bad at all...
Review: First things first (so I don't confuse those who have come across my reviews): When I write a reveiw for a whole series, like Harry Potter or The Wheel of Time, I usually talk about the whole series, not just the first book. Nevertheless, I must say that I was most pleased (and suprised at that) with the Harry Potter books. When I began my job this summer, I met a 27 year old woman named Jen that found out I love to read. She told me that she highly recommended the Potter books, and I began to think "Oh boy, I work with a 27 year old that likes to read kids books". That's how much she was into the whole thing. Anyway, I picked up the first book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone at her most intense urging. I half expected to be bored out of my mind, because I thought that Rowling had made Harry Potter for a grade level of, oh, around second or third grade. Let me tell you, within the first couple of chapters, I was completely sucked into the plot. Yeah, there are some corny things, like He-who-must-not-be-named and the names of various 'magical' places/people/items (does the name Hogwarts come to mind? Come on now...), but I didn't really pay them any mind. It's a great story for any age, and if your looking for something that's fun to read, I definately recommend Harry Potter for you!
Rating: 
Summary: A cross between Roald Dahl and Piers Anthony
Review: First, I liked the book. It was a good read, and it had some unpredictable twists and turns which surprised me. The mean characters did not bother me, they may seem cruel but not unusually more so than any other fantasy or children's bad-guy, (altho I do see the point that it is a little more graphic and real life possibility, so some may find that disturbing). HOWEVER. I don't understand the hype: what have you parents been feeding to your children for books? I have grown up reading comparable sci-fi fantasy books all my life, this one does not Stand Out. I mean, anything to get kids interested in reading, but haven't you read the classics? Books by Piers Anthony (Xanth, etc), Roald Dahl (Witches, Matilda), C.S. Lewis (Narnia), for younger kids Ruth Chew (lots of Witch & Magic stories), Lloyd Alexander (Book of Three), Madeliene L'Engle (Wrinkle in Time), and for older teens and adults, JRR Tolkein (Lord of the Rings). All good books, and I'll be glad to add Harry Potter to the list of good sci-fi fantasy, but not above them. Good books have been around for a long time; Harry Potter isn't the first and won't be the last.
Rating: 
Summary: Harry Potter
Review: First, I think this book was too hard for me to read, because I don't know many English. But finally, last year, my teacher make me read it. When I start to read, it was really hard, but after 1 month, it was easy. After I finish this book, I learn much more English than the past. It help me a lot, I love it.
This book was about a boy, who name Harry Potter, lost his dad and mom. And he had to live with his aunt and uncle. Then he find out that he was a wizard. He go to the wizard and which school. And he got a lot of adventure there, he face the one who kill his mom and dad.
To find out what happen to him, read the Harry Potter and the sorcerer's stone!
Rating:
Summary: The audiobook is OUT OF THIS WORLD!
Review: First, I'm not a child nor do I have children; I'm a grown woman. I can vouch for the fact that this book is for people of all ages. I listened to this audiobook and was completely spellbound--and so was my older sister. The story never drags! Even at the beginning, when more and more letters are coming for Harry, the repetition is not monotonous and overdone. It builds, getting funnier and stranger, and by the time we find out what could have been so important and so magical, it's just perfect. A lesser story would have had the first letter get through to Harry, lessening the impact. I can't rave enough about reader Jim Dale's performance. Hearing the distinctive voices of characters like Hagrid, Professor McGonagall, and especially the ghosts, read flawlessly with emotion and vigor, really brought the story alive. I've listened to a lot of audiobooks, but this is easily in the top two or three of all of them!
Rating:
Summary: This book is for the whole family
Review: First, my 10 year old read it. Then my 8 year old. When I read it, I couldn't put it down. What is a mom to think when she enjoys a kid's book as much, if not more than her children? And, on whose book shelf will it end up?
Rating:
Summary: Excellent novel, but is it up with the all time greats?
Review: Firstly, I would like to say that throughout this review I refer to the First Harry Potter book as Harry Potter and the Philosopher's stone (as opposed to the Sorcerer's Stone), as this was it's original title in Britain, and being English, the name it is known by to me. I am proud to be one of the few people who actually read Harry Potter back in 1997, after it's first release, before it became such a legendary book. The Philosopher's Stone is a fantastic work of modern fiction, and unllike many modern children's books, I feel it was truly written without the intend of adult reading. However, it's wonderful and believable fictitous world has appealed to all ages across the globe, rapidly making it one of the most popular novels of all time. As the first in the series, it can be excused that it perhaps lacks some of the plot complexity and imaginative witty writing more present in the later stories. However, the book, as nearly everyone knows is almost impossible to put down, as the many letters at the back of some eiditons of the second book show. However, despite such remarkable wiritng talent, I have to feel that the hype around the Harry Potter phenomenon may have finally gone a little too far. Without doubt the Phiolosopher's Stone is a remarkable novel, but is it really as great as the originaal fantasy creations of Tolkein or the more modern Philip Pullman series. While I feel that few children nowadays would prefer the Hobbit or Lord of the RIngs to Harry Potter, I still feel that the books themselves where more outstanding and original works of fiction than the Philosopher's Stone or it's companions. WHile slightly slow and tedious by today's statndards, the Tolkein novels have become the basis for almost every fantasy story creation of the latter half of the twentieth Century. Even Rowling, while perhaps unwittingly, has used many of his creations. But perhaps this is one of the great triumphs of Rowling's novels, the ability to draw together creatures and elements from all the fantasy and mythologixal creations in human history and compile them with our universe to create a depth and believability that even Tolkein somehow lacks. To the book itself, the Philosopher's stone has the difficult task over the sequels of explaining the wholw Harry Potter world to the reader. However, Rowling takes as little time as possible on this, with new discoveries about the world of Magic in each of the other books, so more space can be concentrated on the story line. This is good, and not too simplistic, with unusually well defined and styalised characters which spark off true emotion. Unfortunately, I feel that the true threat of Voldemort and dark magic lacks some of the weight which Rowling manages to convery in the Goblet of Fire, and I did worrry a little about a George Lucas influence, with the dangers of Dark Magic and temptations from the 'Dark Side'. Rowling, however, manages to steer clear of copying anyone, really, in her story, and while few of the creatures have never been used before, they are brought into new realism by Rowling's writing. I was particularly inpressed by Rowling's ovious knowledge of latin and ancient word construction, which she uses heavily and inspiringly to create fantastic names for objects and words for spells. Certainly, if anyone hasn't read this book they should have.
Rating:
Summary: When I first tried to read it I thought it was soooo stupid
Review: Five stars arn't enought!! Let me think... 20 maybe? Harry Potter is fantastic!! I've read all the books twice and the third one three times!! Ms. J.K. Rowling you are about the most creative person ever! You made 4 wonderful books (so far!) and I hope soooooo badly that you write more than seven!! I find myself wishing that I were in the magical world. Chores would be a sinch! Plus your books are awesome. You made words that would totally mean nothing to someone who hasn't read these books. If I heard someone say muggle or Quidditch I would turn on the spot. Someone else would clean out their ears and say excuse me?? I love the charactures and I would cry if Dumbledore died! Can't wait for your 5th book! Keep writting! My life would end if you stopped at the 7th book. Thanx!
Rating:
Summary: This author DOES dance in Dahl's footsteps.
Review: For a long time, I stopped reading. I just couldn't find that right author since Roald Dahl died. Sure , I read some gre at books, but I just couldn't get into them, like I would Dahl's, Llyod Alexander, Brian Jacques and so forth. When I first saw the cover of this book, I thought, "It's probably some lousy first grade book." Boy was I wrong. I became interested when I read in the paper that this author danced in the footsteps of Dahl. So, longing for a Dahl-like book, I read it and i am dying to read this author's next tale.
Rating:
Summary: Who said this was a kids book?!
Review: For ages I held off of reading this thinking that it was just for kids. How wrong could I be. From the moment I picked it up I was captivated. This story has universal appeal and I recommend it to anyone and everyone. Witches and wizards, spells and potions it is all just the best It has excitement, humour, intirgue and everything. The characters are so well written that you really can "see" them. I could imagine the excitement of the Quidditch game and the attitude between Malfoy and Potter. It is easily the best book that I have read in a long time. I raced out the next day to buy book 2 and tomorrow I will be going to get book 3. I can't wait to read more about Harry.
Rating:
Summary: Storytelling at it's best!
Review: For anyone that loves audiobooks and is interested in Harry Potter, I highly recommend this audiobook. As a teacher I read the book to see what was captivating my middle school students. It happened to be a captivating book with a wide selection of well developed characters. Now that the movie is out, take the opportunity to read the book, or listen to the audiobook. After my child read the book, I purchased the audiobook for a long trip we were taking. It was masterfully read, better than I imagined. We have now purchased each of the audiobooks after we've read each book. This will be enjoyed by anyone that is a Harry Potter fan.
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