"The first book of a fabulous series!"

My son has wanted me to read the Harry Potter books for years. I finally sat down one weekend and read them one after the other.

This first book that introduces us to Harry Potter had me on the edge of my seat. I just wanted to take the Dursley's, Harry's Muggle family, and just shake them! I just could not fathom a family treating a relative that way. Harry has always known he was different but has no idea why because his family won't talk about it!

I believe the book really takes off when Harry gets the letter inviting him to Hogwarts. The characters he meets, the friends he makes, the things he studies are just so fascinating. Of course the most horrid character of all is Voldemort or He Who Must Not Be Named. We meet Voldemort in this book and find out he is evil incarnate. He also killed Harry's family and tried to kill Harry. That's why Harry has a scar in the shape of a lightening bolt on his forehead. Harry tries to hide this scar with his hair.

I was so enchanted with this book I read it in one afternoon. I immediately picked up the second book in the series. I was well and truly hooked!

Reviewed by Kathy Boswell
Posted November 16, 2001

Summary

Harry Potter has no idea how famous he is. That's because he's being raised by his miserable aunt and uncle who are terrified Harry will learn that he's really a wizard, just as his parents were. But everything changes when Harry is summoned to attend an infamous school for wizards, and he begins to discover some clues about his illustrious birthright. From the surprising way he is greeted by a lovable giant, to the unique curriculum and colorful faculty at his unusual school, Harry finds himself drawn deep inside a mystical world he never knew existed and closer to his own noble destiny.