Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
         This instant classic is book number one in a series of seven.  Harry Potter is a boy whose parents were killed when he was just a baby. He was raised by his hateful relatives, and mistreated during the entire ten years.  His life suddenly changes when he begins to receive letters notifying that he is a wizard and that his training is about to begin.  A variety of characters and imaginative settings are quickly introduced, and the reader is taken in an adventure filled with magic and suspense.  The author�s creativity seeps through every page, and readers quickly find appeal in characters such as Hagrid, Hermione, and Ron.  Even the
ever negative and hateful Draco Malfoy provides for some comedy relief at times.  This book is considered �high fantasy� due to the fact that an entirely imaginary world is created, and because it contains a very high percentage of unreal or impossible situation.  Readers will come across situations in which the characters run into a wall and in this way get to the other world, or children play on flying brooms, or even a professor who turns into a cat.
          Due to its high content of magic and fantasy, the series as a whole is often the center of controversy and attacked for censorship.  Parents and religious leaders often feel this type of literature is linked to the devil, or that it promotes occultism. Librarians will be well-advised to have a thorough selection policy in place should the need arise to present it to a concerned patron. 
          Some special types of characters which appear in this series include: wizards, giants (Hagrid), elves (Dobby), and werewolves, although not all appear on book number one.  Another quality of a fantasy which is exhibited in this book is the fact that there is a very well-defined battle between good and evil.  Harry Potter�s life was spared from the hands of Voldemort because his parents sacrificed his life for him. Because of this unconditional love surrounding the life of Harry Potter, the evil wizard Voldemort is weakened in his presence.  More than once he tries to kill him, only to realize that his parents� love continues to protect him.  Some fantastic objects found in this particular volume are: magical stones, magic wands, flying brooms, invisibility cloaks, and even messenger owls. Some of these often come in handy when the main character finds himself in trouble, or when he needs to solve a seemingly impossible problem.
          Due to the fact that the main character (along with his companions) are growing as the series develops, readers of all ages find that they enjoy their adventures.  Young readers are growing along with the main characters, and are learning the valuable lessons the author includes in each of the books.  It is unbelievable how these series of books have come to change so many young readers� lives, and has brought many of our reluctant readers back to the library. Let�s keep the series coming!

Rowling, J.K. 1998. Harry Potter and the sorcerer's stone. New York: Scholastic Books.
           ISBN 0-590-35340-3.
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