Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Book 1) | 
| Author: J.k. Rowling
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Category: Book
List Price: £5.99
Buy New: £4.09
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Avg. Customer Rating:  747 reviews
Sales Rank: 475
Media: Paperback
Edition: Children's ed
Reading Level: Ages 9-12
Pages: 224
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 7.7 x 5 x 0.8
ISBN: 0747532745
EAN: 9780747532743
ASIN: 0747532745
Publication Date: June 26, 1997
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours
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From Amazon.co.uk
Say you've spent the first 10 years of your life sleeping under the stairs of a family who loathes you. Then, in an absurd, magical twist of fate you find yourself surrounded by wizards, a caged snowy owl, a phoenix-feather wand and jellybeans that come in every flavour, including strawberry, curry, grass and sardine. Not only that, but you discover that you are a wizard yourself! This is exactly what happens to young Harry Potter in J K Rowling's enchanting, funny debut novel, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. In the non-magical human world--the world of "Muggles"--Harry is a nobody, treated like dirt by the aunt and uncle who begrudgingly inherited him when his parents were killed by the evil Voldemort. But in the world of wizards, small, skinny Harry is renowned as a survivor of the wizard who tried to kill him. He is left only with a lightning-bolt scar on his forehead, curiously refined sensibilities and a host of mysterious powers to remind him that he's quite, yes, altogether different from his aunt, uncle, and spoilt, pig-like cousin Dudley. A mysterious letter, delivered by the friendly giant Hagrid, wrenches Harry from his dreary, Muggle-ridden existence: "We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry". Of course, Uncle Vernon yells most unpleasantly, "I AM NOT PAYING FOR SOME CRACKPOT OLD FOOL TO TEACH HIM MAGIC TRICKS!" Soon enough, however, Harry finds himself at Hogwarts with his owl Hedwig ... and that's where the real adventure--humorous, haunting, and suspenseful--begins. This magical, gripping, brilliant book--a future classic to be sure--will leave children clamouring for a sequel. (Ages 8-13) --Karin Snelson
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| Customer Reviews: Read 742 more reviews...
 Spectacular November 3, 2008
this is only one of the harry potter books.if you liked this you should read the rest.th ewhaole collection is utterly fantastic.brought me into the stoty straight from the start!
 And from here it all began ... November 2, 2008
All credit to Joanne Rowling. This is the book that launched a global phenomenon and should be on the bookshelf of anyone with an interest in children's literature or classic stories.
As for the book, yes, it's very good - however, I don't think it's brilliant. Writing your first novel is a mammoth undertaking and in this book JK sets out the parameters for what was to be developed and built upon in the later novels.
This novel probably inspired thousands more to do the same and finally write the book that germinated in their mind for so long. I should know, as I'm one of those people. My first book is now for sale on Amazon etc, and it may not have happened if this book had simply been lost in the slush pile of every major publisher and agent.
Great Book October 17, 2008
I understand that everyone had their own opinion but i do not understand how anyone cannot like the harry potter books! in relation to another review made! Hagrid can do magic in front of the Dursleys because they know about magic! I defo do not believe that these books are just for kids either!
Sets the scene well September 19, 2008
...and is undoubtably well-described, but the actual storyline wasn't quite as exciting as everyone said it would be. Still, I will be reading the next one!
From a Primary Teacher's perspective September 16, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
The first in the collection explores a typical plot of an orphan boy who is badly treated by his uncle and auntie, and is suddenly offered a place at Hogwarts, the school for young and aspiring wizards and witches. From the moment young Harry meets Hagrid, the friendly half-giant and groundkeeper of the school, the realm of the magical and mysterious unravels before him, gradually revealing the true past of his dead parents.
Clearly the most predictable choice of all books due to the worldwide interest the series has received, few pupils nowadays would not be able to describe an event, character or plot from Harry Potter. This in itself can be used to create further interest in reading and a whole manner of cross-curricular activities.
Film adaptations have been equally as successful as the books, so there are many avenues in which the teacher can lead them into reading. Ideally this read is for Years 5 & 6, but because of the sheer level of interest it could be argued that Year 2 onwards would be keen to hear readings and therefore give them a clear goal to head towards. And as there are so many facets to the Harry Potter phenomenon as well as a deep passion expressed by many children from across the world, it wouldn't be hard to harness the interest of this book and use it to propel a particular lesson. With links to English, Maths, Science, PE, RE, PSHE and school ethics (i.e. house points and community issues), the opportunity to use Rowling's work as a springboard is endless and is therefore inescapably a must-read for any teacher.
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