Product Description

Harry Potter is an ordinary boy who lives in a cupboard under the stairs at his Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon's house, which he thinks is normal for someone like him who's parents have been killed in a 'car crash'. He is bullied by them and his fat, spoilt cousin Dudley, and lives a very unremarkable life with only the odd hiccup (like his hair growing back overnight!) to cause him much to think about. That is until an owl turns up with a letter addressed to Harry and all hell breaks loose! He is literally rescued by a world where nothing is as it seems and magic lessons are the order of the day. Read and find out how Harry discovers his true heritage at Hogwarts School of Wizardry and Witchcraft, the reason behind his parents mysterious death, who is out to kill him, and how he uncovers the most amazing secret of all time, the fabled Philosopher's Stone! All this and muggles too. Now, what are they? This is Jo's first book and she has already written seven outlines for Harry's further adventures at Hogwarts. She lives in Edinburgh.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #9374 in Books
• Published on: 1997-06-26
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 223 pages

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

Amazon.co.uk Review
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 JK 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, Amazon.com

Review
The wonderfully witty and original story of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone took the children's book world by storm when it was published in 1997, winning the Smarties Book Prize Gold Award and being shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal that year. Potter, orphaned as a baby, discovers he is a wizard and is sent to Hogwarts School of Wizardry, where his lessons include potion-making and broomstick flying. (9-12 yrs) (Kirkus UK)

Customer Reviews

An excellent start to a fantastic series!
I remember the moment back in 2001 when one of my friends thrust Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone into my hands and ordered me to read. I'd already been vaguely curious about the series before, what with all the hype surrounding Goblet of Fire, which had been released the previous year. The minute the book was put into my hands during a lunch break at college, I began to read. After that, I couldn't put it down. My form tutor rolled his eyes when he caught a glimpse of what I was reading - obviously he'd failed to be driven into all the hype surrounding Harry Potter - but I ignored his sniggering and carried on, and i'm very glad I did!

I was 17 when I started reading the books, around the same age as Harry was by the end of the series. His experiences in this book brought back all the memories of school, such as the daunting experience of the first day at secondary school, making friends, been forced to put up with teachers we hate, having enjoyable lessons with our favourite teachers and so on. That, coupled with all the magical elements of the book made it a fantastic read for me. The characters are beautifully written and the plot is wonderful. Harry's thoughts and feelings towards his new life at Hogwarts and the loss of his parents are very well written. The Mirror of Erised chapter is particularly moving.

Harry potter and the Philosopher's Stone is the perfect read for adults and children alike. There's the magical elements for the younger readers and the memories of life at a boarding school for the older audience! (I loved the school part, even though I was only 17 when I started the series so had only just left school!).

Overall, a great start to the series. The characters are well developed and the plot is exciting, moving and enthralling. If you haven't started the Harry potter series by now then now is the time to do so!

Wow!
I saw the movie before I read the book and I totally regret it. But the book was amazing and I don't get how some people don't like "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone." And I can't wait till I get the second in the series. (And if you've seen the movies, start reading the books now before more movies come out).

A magical book for all ages
I first read this enchanting novel nearly a decade ago, and throughout this time 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone' has consistently lived up to its reputation as a magical, exciting work of fiction for readers of all ages. The character of Harry Potter is developed on a scale appropriate for the younger reader, although the twist-and-turn-full plot will leave any aged reader waiting for the next chapter, and indeed the next book. Recommended.