Group Read: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone 

(Harry Potter #1) 

by 

J.K. Rowling 

Pub November 1st 2003 

by 

Scholastic Press 

(first published January 1st 1997) 

Summary
Harry Potter has never played a sport while flying on a broomstick. He's never worn a Cloak of Invisibility, befriended a giant, or helped hatch a dragon. All Harry knows is a miserable life with the Dursleys, his horrible aunt and uncle, and their abominable son, Dudley. Harry's room is a tiny cupboard under the stairs, and he hasn't had a birthday party in ten years.

But all that is about to change when a mysterious letter arrives by owl messenger: a letter with an invitation to a wonderful place he never dreamed existed. There he finds not only friends, aerial sports, and magic around every corner, but a great destiny that's been waiting for him... if Harry can survive the encounter.

Mini Reviews

Lindy
I have been wanting to read the Harry Potter Series for quite a while. I know that it is a widely popular series, and have wanted to see what all of the hype was about.  Therefore, I thought it would be a great pick to fulfill my Jumble the Genres Challenge for the month of April where we were suppose to pick a middle grade read.

Harry Potter And the Sorcerer's Stone, by J.K. Rowling, was such a fun, and fast-paced adventure thrill ride!  I enjoyed being taken to Hogwarts School Of Witchcraft and Wizardry, a unique and special place where students got to learn about magic, Quidditch, friendships, bravery, and growing up.  I loved the main characters, Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Neville, as well as secondary characters; Hagrid, Professor Dumbledore, and Professor McGonagall.  All of these characters were very memorable.  I love how Harry, an ordinary looking kid, born in to unfavorable circumstances, show's his bravery, strength, and strong character in this story.  He is a great role model for kids.  I was rooting for him, and his great support team of friends to solve all of the mysteries, and defeat the bad guys.

I loved how fun the plot was.  It was fascinating learning about magic, dragons, unicorns, the history of great witches and wizards, as well as watching the adventure play out.  Pieces of the story reminded me of Alice in Wonderland, in how I was transported to another place where the unusual and magical took place, and was a part of true norm.  I give Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone, by J.K. Rowling, 3.5 Fanciful, Magical, and Adventure-Filled Stars!  This is a great story for every age!

My Favorite Quotes

"It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live, remember that."  (Pg. 214)

~Professor Dumbledore

"...to have been loved so deeply, even though the person who loved us is gone, will give us some protection forever."  (Pg. 299)

~Professor Dumbledore

" 'There are all kinds of courage,' said Dumbledore, smiling.  'It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends.' "  (Pg. 306)

~Professor Dumbledore

Ria

It’s been a while since I've read this and it was loads of fun revisiting Hogwarts. I have to admit I didn't know how I would feel about this since it has been so long since I've read it. 

I remember thinking these books where “okay” until Prisoner of Azkaban that was when this series really took off for me. I’m still pretty sure that Book 4 the Goblet of Fire is my favorite. 

I was curious to see if after all these years the sense of nostalgia would overtake my view of the book. I'm happy to say that though yes it was a fun revisit Hogwarts I wasn’t over come with romanticizing the story. I did get a little blubbery at certain parts and meeting certain characters but I feel like that’s pretty natural. 

Snape sure does seem like the bad guy and I found myself thinking “when was it exactly that I joined team Severus?” I think it was the first time we heard he was good friends with Lily, Harry’s mum. I’m a huge fan of Hagrid I fell in love with this half giant with a kind spirit and loving gentle heart. I broke for Harry and all of the painful things he had to endure all because of a mark and a prophecy. 

Harry not having his parents or growing up without any knowledge of them was especially hard. My favorite part of this book I’d say is the dynamic between Ron, Hermione, and Harry. These three where destined to do great things and their different roles started to develop in this book. 

Harry Potter will definitely become a classic among children I know when my son gets older we will be reading these together. I see plenty of Potter fans doing the same thing with their children and so on and so forth. So quick re-cap by far not my favorite but this book really sets the tone for the amazing series this is to become. Bravo I will always be a huge fan of these books!! Rowling created something truly magical.

3 Stars!

Ro
I read the entire Harry Potter Series a few years ago.  The books took me back to my childhood, innocence, laughing heartily out loud, and completely spell bound.  I finally got a chance with the Jumble The Genres Challenge, to go back and re-read the first book in the series, The Sorcerer's Stone, by J. K. Rowling. I was so excited, and loved reading it all over again. I had forgotten parts, until I started reading again.  It was a great magical, imaginative, exciting experience.

This book is a great, unique ride through the magical world of Harry Potter.  It was filled with magic, witch craft, dragons, giants, Picture frames that have real people in them, each revealing something of themselves and their past life.  There are magic mirrors, crazy games, like Quiddich, where they fly on broomsticks through the air, much like we play hockey on the ground, but much more exciting and dangerous.

Harry has come from a family of good magic, parents who were killed, and goes to live with his mother's sister and her husband and very intolerable son.  They are muggles, (typical citizens) and they treat Harry like dirt.  In the magic world, Harry is somewhat a king with the magic marking he can never get away from.

This story will take you on the adventure of your life, and as the series goes on, you will be more intrigued than ever.  The characters are all well rounded.  The cast of characters are wonderful.  Don't miss a minute.  Get a copy and start reading it.  You will not be disappointed.  I promise.  I give, The Sorcerer's Stone, by J. K. Rowling, 4 Exciting, Illuminating, Magical, Mystical, Flying Stars!!!

Mikki

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone was fun and exciting! I have been hearing amazing things about these books for many years. I know I'm late to the Harry Potter Party, but I jumped on the train and began my reading escape to Hogwarts! To be honest this is not my usual genre, but we had to jumble our genres over at the blog and I am so happy we picked this book to read. I enjoyed it and I will definitely be adding the other books of this series to my TBR list.

I loved following Harry's journey to Hogwarts. It was fascinating to see how his world literally changed on his 11th birthday. He discovered a world of magic, made new friends and for the first time in his life he really felt at home. This is his DESTINY! Magic spells, intriguing characters and fun adventures are on the menu in this delightful journey. Harry, Ron and Hermione are lovable characters. They made me laugh, but most of all they had me cheering for them! 

I tried to watch the movie in two different occasion when it first came out. Everybody was raving about it so, I rented it. I have to admit that I fell asleep both times ... lol!!! I think I had my mind set even before pressing play that it was not going to be something I would enjoy. Boy was I wrong! Once I finished the book I watched the movie and I loved it! I'm really happy that I got to read the book before the movie. A book contains so much more details and that's what made it an enjoyable and memorable reading experience. I can't wait to catch up with Harry and the gang!

I give, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, by J.K. Rowling 4 magical, captivating, fun, memorable stars! It was great to be 11 years old all over again :)

Colloquy

Ro: Hey Gals, I'm here! Made it after 2 days, on my broomstick...Sorry

Lindy: Me too :) 

Mikki: lol!!!

Ria: lol!! yay! we are all here

Ria: okay lets harry potter party this place up!!

Ro: Ready!

Lindy: Why do you think the Dursley's and especially Dudley treated Harry so poorly? He lived in a closet, they didn't celebrate his birthday's, and treated him with disdain. What did they have against poor Harry?

Mikki: I think that the first thing that comes to mind is Jealousy. His aunt was jealous of what her sister had and obviously she had not an ounce of magic in her. People do mean things when they are jealous :(

Ria: They were afraid because he was different and deep down they resented the love his parents shared for him & Dudley is nurture gone wrong.

Ro: I think that they were fearful of what they didn't understand and Petunia wanted to fit in with her community and was jealous of her sister's gifts. Lindy?

Lindy: I agree. I think the Dursely's treated Harry badly because Mrs. Dursley had been jealous of her sister (Harry's mother). Mr. and Mrs. Dursley didn't understand magic and feared it. Also, I think Dudley was a spoiled brat, and took his parents lead.

Ro: Did the movie of The Sorcerer's Stone do the book justice? and if you saw the book first, did it deter you from wanting to read the book?

Ria: I read the book first and I felt the movie did a great job of following along. Not until the 3rd book/movie did the movies really let me down. Book 3 and beyond are amazing, there is tons of detail and history and the world building really blooms.

Mikki: I don't know if it's just me, but I think that no movie will ever do justice to that feeling you get when you read a book. When we read a book it's so much more detailed. I did however enjoy the movie once I watched it. I have to be honest and admit that before reading the book I tried to watch it two times and both times I fell asleep. *Fails*

Lindy: I saw the movie first, and wanted to read the book, because I enjoyed it, but I think the book was better! Ro?

Ro: True. I read the book first and loved it! It made me remember how much fun it was to use my imagination as a child, and had me laughing out loud. I was very disappointed in the movies and if I had not read the books first, I would have probably never picked them up to read them.

Ria: Okay, I want to know y'all's house preferences and why 1-4.   Mine are Griffyndor, Slytherin, RavenClaw, and Hufflepuff.

Mikki: I would be Griffyndor. I like a good challenge and I am very loyal to my friends :)

Ria: no mikki ffi failure to follow instructions...list from fave to least fav all houses.

Ro: RavenClaw, Hufflepuff, Griffyndor, Slytherin

Ria: and why

Mikki: Oh, ok ... lol!! Griffyndor, RavenClaw, and Hufflepuff, Slytherin

Ro: I would like to possess as much knowledge as possible. I need patience, so I would go there next. I feel I already have been through enough in my life and had to be brave, and I would never want to be a slytherine cause they were all awful people.

Ria: Lindy Lou how bout you?

Lindy: Ravenclaw, Griffyndor, Hufflepuff, then Slytherin... Because I love learning (which represents Ravenclaw,) I loved all of the members in Griffyndor, and like to think I'm brave when I need to be, and the other two houses didn't really strike my interest! Except, that I didn't like the Slytherin members.

Ria: man we got some slytherin haters up in here up in here

Ro: Definitely!!! >:)

Mikki: lol!!

Lindy: :D

Lindy: The Sorting Hat tells you what house you belong to. Are you a Griffyndor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff or Slytherin? Why?

Mikki: I would be Griffyndor. I like a good challenge and I am very loyal to my friends :D

Ria: I'm a Griffyndor because I'm always defending those that aren't there to have a voice...I stand up for what I know is right...I challenge wrong doings, i'm not afraid to fight for those i care for

Mikki: That's where my answer goes Ria ... lol!!!!

Ria: lol

Ro: RavenClaw...for sure. I told you, I want to gain spirituality and Knowledge...Unworldly knowledge...lol

Lindy: I am a Ravenclaw because I always pursue knowledge, and have a passion for learning. I wish I could say Griffyndor, but I don't know if I would be brave and daring enough. I could see myself being like Neville. LOL!

Mikki: What would you see if you looked into the Mirror of Erised?

Ria: OOOOOOOh MIKKI!! Me likey me likey. Hm thats deep let me think.

Mikki: Me .... A baby in my arms <3

Lindy: Awwww :)

Ria: AWWW Mikki!!! I can ship you my 5yr old.

Mikki: tehehe!

Ro: A witch on a broomstick!!! J/K

Lindy: I would see myself with my husband, daughter, and two more kids, a bestselling book that I just published, and a beautiful house in the background :)

Ria: My Nephew Jackson at the age of 5 playing tag with me and Atticus.

Lindy: Awww :((

Mikki: Awww!!!!

Mikki: I'm crying!!!

Ria: @mikki he has a terminal illness...he just turned 1.

Mikki: :(

Ro: If someone came to you with the magic jelly bean tray, would you be brave enough to try one, not knowing what kind of scary flavor you may be ingesting? If you could create a flavor, what would it be and why?

Ria: Hell.No. I accidentally had a popcorn jelly belly once and I still have nightmares about it!

Mikki: I would be the first one in line to taste the jelly beans. Mmmmm what flavor would I create? I would love to have Jelly Beans that taste like my favorite ice cream, which is Heavenly Hash :)

Ro: I've never tried that before, what does it have in it?

Lindy: I'd be too scared I'd get the booger or vomit flavor! So no way! If I could create one it would be banana cream pie :D

Mikki: lollllllllllllllllllllll llllllllllllllllllllllll !!!!

Ro: lol

Ro: I don't think I would be brave enough to try anything without knowing what it was first. Especially some of the outrageous flavors that were in the book. If I had to make up a flavor it would probably be Carmel Peanut Butter Kettle Popcorn flavor, because I love carmel Corn, Kettle Corn, and I love Peanut Butter.

Mikki: I'm adventurous, so I would taste the yucky ones .. lol!!

Ria: if i could create one it would be sex on the beach

Lindy: LOL Sex on the Beach sounds good!

Ro: YeSSSSS...

Ria: OMGee LOL RIGHT?! 

Mikki: That's a jelly bean you need to lick .. just sayin'!

Ro: LMAFO!!!

Lindy: Almost instantly, we see Harry develop a friendship with Ron, and his family, the Weasley's. Why do you think Harry fit in with them so quickly and seamlessly?

Mikki: Because he sees in them the kindness that his ''family'' is not showing him. He dreams of belonging to a family like them.

Ria: because it was destiny Lin destiny!!

Lindy: I like that...Destiny!

Ro: I think it was because they were down to earth and took everyone at face value. I thought it was great. He deserved to find a family to love him after all he lost, then having to put up with that horrific clan he lived with!

Lindy: I think Harry was drawn to the Weasley's because he saw how warm and close they were to one another. They had a real family, and it was what Harry yearned for, but lacked in his own life. Also, they were poor, and Harry could relate to that fact because before he was given his parents money, he had been poor too.

Ro: If you could bring back one magical instrument from Hogwarts to your home for your personal use, what would it be and why?

Mikki: The majestic Invisibility Cloak!!!!! I would scare the pants off of some people! LOL!!!

Lindy: I would take Harry's wand, so I could cast spells whenever I wanted to. Only for good :)

Ro: I would pick the ever majestic Invisibility Cloak! I would want that so I could sneak around to see what's going on when someone is being shady. LOL

Ria: The Deathly Hallows

Ro: Why Ria

Ria: they make you the master of death.

Ro: Who do you want Dead?! LOL

Ria: lol no one. Well, quite a few fictional characters but I don't think they count ;)

Ro: Tehehe

Mikki: lol!!!!

Ria: Scale of 1-10 how awesome is quidditch?

Lindy: 8! It seems like a lot of fun!!!

Ro: It seemed pretty exciting to me! But, really lethal.

Ro: 9

Mikki: 9!!! I would join the team for sure!

Lindy: Yeah, it could be scary!

Ria: 10!!!! spectator only! The world cup in book 6? 5? was amazing!!

Mikki: Which of the three characters (Harry, Ron, Hermione) are you most like?

Ria: Hermione!! Smart and Sassy ELF Liberator!!! Oh Yea!!

Ro: Harry. I like to get to the bottom of things, even when it may be dangerous..... ;;)

Mikki: I'm like Hermione. I'm the voice of reason in many discussions. I'm always there to help and encourage and I think Hermione did that quite a lot with her friends. Oh, and I'm Miss Bossy-pants sometimes ... Tehehe!

Lindy: I'm most like Hermione. I always have my head stuck in a book, and strive to be the best I can be.

Lindy: The Harry Potter Series is extremely popular, and has been highly successful. Many authors have said that J.K. Rowling is an author that they look up to, and others have said that she has inspired their own writing. Why do you think this series has been so successful? What is the appeal?

Ro: I think the appeal is that every age has enjoyed this series for their own reasons. It brings out the kid in older people and it brings out the imagination in kids. It was a fun ride

Ria: well she inspires because these books really make you tap in to your imagination...once that flow is opened theres no telling what you can create!

Lindy: I think this series has been so popular and successful because it is magical and fun. It's a great escape that takes the reader in to another place where the impossible is reality. It takes us on a wild and adventurous ride, and uses a kid like Harry (a small, quiet boy,) and makes him in to a hero, and someone with power, respect, and admiration, that other kids can relate to. Mikk?

Mikki: Everybody needs a little magic! J.K. Rowling did an amazing job at creating a fantastic world where many of us would love to escape to ... even if it's only for a few hours ;)

Ria: alright loves last thoughts... lets try to wrap this up.

Lindy: Mikki, did you have any more ? Ria, any more ?

Mikki: Nope!

Ria: nope I think this was great! I’m looking forward to pivot point!

Lindy: Me too!!! It's going to be awesome!!!!

Ria: OH SHITE!!! STARS Y’ALL STARS and WHY?!! 

3 for me because I saw the potential but it didn't really hook me until the third book.

Mikki: 4 magical, entertaining stars!

Ro: 4 Fantastic, illuminating, transforming stars!!!

Lindy: I give it 3.5 Stars, because it was fun, entertaining, and a great adventure, but a little slow and overly descriptive for me at times…

Ro: Goodnight Ladies. It's been fun!

Lindy: Okay Night Ladies :) I have to finish my book :) TTYL!

Mikki: Ciao chickas! xxx

Ria: LOVE YALL!! NIGHTS SWEETS!!! Laters Gaters ;)

Lindy: Nighty Night, don't let the bed bugs bite!

Ro: Mi Mi little bees...