Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Review #2 Rowling, J.K. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone New York: Scholastic, 1997.
Published Reviews:
Cart, Michael. Rev. of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, by J.K. Rowling. Booklist Youth 95 (1998). http://www.ala.org/booklist/v95/youth/se2/57rowlin.html Accessed 02-01-03
Howe, Roger. Hermione Granger's solution, Mathematics Teacher 95.2 (2002). http://web4.infotrac.galegroup.com/itw/infomark/448/32/33192591w4/purl=rc1_EAIM_0_A58225013&dyn=7!xrn_1_0_A58225013?sw_aep=ripl13 Accessed 02-01-03
Potty Protest (Side Libes) (Harry Potter Books) Free Inquiry 29.1 (2002) http://web4.infotrac.galegroup.com/itw/infomark/448/32/33192591w4/purl=rc1_EAIM_0_A84805904&dyn=68!xrn_2_0_A84805904?sw_aep=ripl13 Accessed 02-01-03
Wizards and Muggles. (J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series), The Christian Century 166.33 (1999): 155.
Wood, Susan Nelson; Quackenbush, Kim. "The Sorcerer's Stone": A Touchstone for Readers of All Ages. English Journal; v90 n3 p97-103 (2001). EJ619565.
The Harry Potter books have received both critical acclaim and negative publicity. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is the first in what is to be a seven book series. Harry was orphaned as a baby, left to be brought up by his Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon. Harry is treated like a Cinderella from the start, while his cousin, Dudley is given anything he desires. This is how Harry spends the first 11 years of his life, until Hagrid arrives delivering what is possibly the first letter Harry has ever received.
HOGWART'S SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Dear Mr. Potter,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hog wart's School of witchcraft and Wizardry.
Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. Term begins September 1. We await your owl
by no later than July 31.
Thus, Harry begins a new life. Rather than being an outcast, he is a celebrity. However, with fame comes danger and the opportunity and necessity for Harry to prove who he really is-to his true peers as well as to himself.
One of the criticisms of the Harry Potter books is that the books promote witchcraft. This reviewer would argue that those who criticize Ms. Rowling should take a closer look at her use of imagery, references to mythology, and some of the themes that permeate the series. For example, loyalty to friends, and the human need to have a place to call home . The books are appropriate for children age ????? and up. Some younger children may enjoy having the books read to them while adults may enjoy, not only for the story, but may also Rowling's references to mythology, for example, Hermione was the daughter of Helen and Menelaus, wife of Achilles' son, Neoptolemus in Greek mythology. The unicorn is a well-known mythological creature.
Additionally, teachers are using the Harry Potter books to support the curriculum, not only in literature, but math. See, for example, Howe, 2002, and Wood, Susan Nelson; Quackenbush, Kim. "The Sorcerer's Stone": A Touchstone for Readers of All Ages. English Journal; v90 n3 p97-103 Jan 2001. 2001. EJ619565.
While being marketed to readers in grades four through seven, older readers will also enjoy this and the following books.