Tomes of Spellcasting--Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone

Tomes of Spellcasting

Welcome to the land of mystery, where the impossible is possible, and the improbable the reality. Join me as I investigate worlds filled with magic and meet the souls that wield this wondrous powers.

W A R N I N G !

This review does not represent the opinions of the general public. It reflects my personal thoughts and opinions on the book.

That said, on to the review!

Title: Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone
Author: J. K. Rowling
Publisher: Scholastic, Inc.
Format: Paperback/Hardcover
Copyright Date: 1997

If you were a boy who grew up with nothing to truly call your own--nothing except for a strange scar on your forehead, a knack for getting into trouble even if it isn't your fault, and a bunch of relatives so mean and repressive that school looks good--then naturally you'd jump for joy when acceptance into a strange and mysterious academic institution arrived in the mail for you. Well, Harry Potter certainly did...once he finally managed to find out that he was accepted. Because his uncle's Muggle--a non-magical person--while Harry is possibly one of the most famous wizards-to-be that ever lived. But first, he has to get to Hogwarts School, and that will be no mean trick in itself! And then, he has to learn how to even use his magic. But first and foremost, he is a young boy--just recently eleven--and he has to learn how to be a boy...and that may be more important that squaring off against the dark powers that killed his parents and are heading in his direction!

After all the hype about it, I found Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone to be an excellent read, even if it is targeted towards younger readers. To be honest, though, I wonder whether older American readers (middle school and up) might find it slightly easier to understand the book than younger readers, what with older readers being slightly more knowledgeable about schools being divided into "houses" or something comparable. Then again, the younger readers might find it easier to understand than older ones, what with their minds being more open to the not-so-normal-or-mundane that some people insist are the proper things for older readers to read. Hogwash, if you ask me!

Perhaps the best part about this entire book is the fact that the author doesn't suddenly drop the reader in the middle of this strange new world where everything is different. Instead, she takes readers into a world that runs parallel to the "real" world and often overlaying it with only minor adjustments of the rules. Unusual terms are usually explained in terms from the Muggle world, which is only natural: remember, Harry grew up in the Muggle world and has little magical experience to draw upon and so sees most things in terms of the Muggle world. When the author does throw the readers strange terms or ideas, she clearly explains them or sets up the text around those novelties to reflect their meanings in context. Great, isn't it?

Well, what more can I say? Nothing, really, except that readers of all ages (well, eight and up, at least; otherwise I recommend parental guidance) should definitely give Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone a chance. Whether it is to relive your childhood dreams or to share them with a new generation of imaginitive readers, you've got to read the book!

Rating: Thumbs up! Flying broomsticks and magical spells...who could ask for anything more?

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