Harry Potter and the Sorcer's Stone

Author: J. K. Rowling
Publisher and date of publication: Scholastic Inc, 1997
Genre: Fiction, Fantasy
Grade: 3-5

Harry Potter is the boy who lives under the stairs at the Dursley's residence. The Dursley's are his aunt, uncle and cousin who have taken him in because his parents have died and treat him like everything but family. One day a letter arrived that was addressed to Harry however his uncle Vernon would not let him have it. The letters kept coming and no matter where they ran the letters found Harry. On his eleventh birthday a man by the name of Hagrid came to visit Harry. Hagrid is the gamekeeper and keeper of the keys at Hogwarts School of witchcraft and wizardry. Harry quickly learned that he was a wizard and had been invited to attend Hogwarts. Harry also learned the disturbing truth about the death of his parents and a scar that remained on his forehead. The great dark lord, Voldemort had killed the Potter's but could not succeed in killing Harry thus remained the scar. Hagrid took Harry to Diagon Alley, a magical place located underneath London. It was a place where wizards and witches visited the bank, potions shop, wand shop and many more. Harry got all the schools supplies he would need. He also realized that he was famous in the wizard world. Everyone knew Harry Potter, he is the great child that defeated Voldemort. On the train to Hogwarts Harry is introduced to the Wesley's, Ron who was a first year also, Fred and George the twins and Percy the Prefect. Harry and Ron instantly became friends. On the train we also meet Neville, who is shy and accident-prone. Hermione Granger also introduces herself. She seems a bit stuck up and at first Harry and Ron do not like her but they soon become great friends when they save her from a troll. Once they arrive at Hogwarts they are sorted into one of the four houses at Hogwarts. Harry, Ron Hermione and Neville at get placed in Gryffindor. Harry was happy to be anywhere but in Slytherin. Once at Hogwarts Harry began to learn and explore a world that was unlike muggle's world. (A muggle is someone who is non magical) Harry began taking classes to learn potions, transfiguration, herbology and even how to fly a broom. Harry was so good at flying that he even made it on the Gryffindor Quidditch team. Quidditch is a wizard's sport. At first the only evil that Harry encounters is a boy by the name of Malfoy, Draco Malfoy. He was in the slytherin house and always starting stuff with Harry and trying to get him into trouble. One night Harry discovers a three-headed dog that seems to by hiding a trapped door. Harry, Ron and Hermione then set out on a mission to discover what Hogwarts is guarding. The sorcerer's stone is at Hogwarts and it contains the elixir of life. This journey gets them into a lot of trouble. They soon find out that it might have something to do with the return of Voldemort and if he gets his hand on the sorcerer’s stone he will for sure return. Once this news surfaces Harry feels it is his duty to get to the bottom of it because Voldemort did kill his parents. Harry, Ron and Hermione had to get past many enchantments and other obstacles in order to save the sorcerer’s stone and the rest of the wizard world from the return of Voldemort. The end is full of twist and surprises that I dare not reveal until you read it yourself.

This Harry Potter book was spectacular. I am a huge fan of the movies and was looking forward to finally reading one of the books. I must give the moviemaker so credit however. They did a fantastic job at portraying the story on screen. I mean there were a few slight changes but for the most part I was pretty satisfied. They only thing that bummed me out was that Percy was not really even in the movie and Neville's part was downplayed in the movie. Of course the book was so much better I just feel like I should still give the movie props for trying. I would have to agree in saying the J.K. Rowling's words captivate you and bring you on a journey that you never knew your imagination could reach. As a lover of all things fantasy I was amazed by her story. She did not forget to include a single detail or aspect of the story. I walk away feeling like I myself had just left Hogwarts and couldn't wait for the summer to be over so that I could return. Any book that can captivate me like that I can't wait to introduce into my classroom. I love the idea of introducing books that you know not only the teacher loves but one that the students will love as well. Rowling did a beautiful portrayal of good and evil. I loved how Harry refused and resisted to be like the man who killed his parents. He has so much hate and anger inside him yet he uses it to prevail on the side of the good and defeat the evil. Harry is willing to die to revenge his parents and save the lives of all the magical people that he just met. What bravery and courage Harry embodies is one to pointed out. I could never at age eleven be so willing to take on such a huge role. I think that this bravery and courage is great for our students to see. It helps them to realize that they to can overcome their fears and stand up for what they believe and feel is right. So many children let themselves fall in the shadows because they do not have the self-confidence to be who they are. Characters like Ron, Hermione, Harry and Neville are great role models for young kids of all different shapes and sizes. Friendship and love are two other big themes that are reoccurring through this story. Now a days kids don't want to talk about those things. They feel like the teacher is getting al mushy and trying to force all this stuff down them. However the friendship formed throughout the story between Harry, Ron and Hermione is one that I don't think even our students can ignore. You can't help but fall in love with those three and then reflect back on your live and friendships. You learn and grow from what they can teach us and I think that I important to point out to our students. The power of love between a child and his parents was a major theme played out beautiful in the end of the story. My god it makes my heart melt just thinking about it. I think it is important to point out these themes and try to get our students to understand its importance. Why did J. K. Rowling put such emphasis on this power of love? Well the book offers up many many more themes and things to talk about with your students. I loved the book and can't wait to read the others. It is officially on my list of things to do.

The Mirror of Erised plays a role in the book unlike one you would expect. This particular mirror shows you your heart's most innermost desire. The thing about this is that you have to realize that what your innermost desire may be may not being something that can happen. It can portray anything dead, alive, truth or fiction. The mirror does not always show you what you want or what you may think. This is a really tricky concept because students might think that it has the ability to show your happiest desire however it could portray something that is said and you know you can never obtain. Take Harry for example. He never knew his family and in the mirror that was what he saw. It may have made him happy however he had to quickly tell himself that it was not possible. His parents were dead, this was an illusion that made him feel good but could also hurt him for he might never leave the mirror. The mirror symbolizes to me reality. I think often in life we wish for the impossible to happen. I am a firm believer in dreams come true however we must remember to make our goals and dreams achievable through the reality of life. We can't waste away wishing for things that we know will never happen. I believe that imagination is a powerful thing. However with imagination we learn that it is just that and in order to achieve anything like what we imagine we have to learn to achieve it through what is available to us in life. The mirror represents a reminder to live in today and in the future that we hold for ourselves. Do not dwell on the past or things that we cannot change. It was a reminder to Harry that he must move on and do what he can about the future not dwell on his parents death. It was important for him to realize that he can make a change and make things better by facing the obstacles that are put in front of him. Don't place things in your life that are impossible to overcome. I don't know if this is what the author wished to portray but this is the lesson that I learned.

Harry Potter could be used in the classroom for a number of things. It could be used to talk about science and other things of that matter. However in my classroom I would look for ways to apply it to the everyday life of my students. The children in this story are faced with many of the same things that my students will be facing. So, why not take this opportunity to really have them explore what they feel and why they feel that way. The possibilities are unlimited for a book like Harry Potter.