Harry Potter - My Kids Favorite Book

Harry Potter has become a part of our family. We own all of the books, and have listened to them on tape as a family. And we have heard/read the stories of his life more than once. J.K. Rowling has definitely brought my family together and given my children a fascination for this book that no other writer has been able to do.

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Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
The Story
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Harry Potter is just turning eleven. The only life he has ever known has been the rather harsh life of living with his Aunt, Uncle, and Cousin ... the Dursley's. Unfortunately, the Dursley's have felt rather put out for the last ten years for having to raise this child since the death of his parents.

He was treated poorly, made to live in the small cupboard under the stairs, never given real birthday gifts, in fact they rarely even acknowledged it was his birthday. In addition, he was forced to wear the hand-me-downs from his cousin, and he was always being yelled at for doing something wrong, even if the incident wasn't his fault.

But this year, his birthday was different. VERY different. It all started when he received a piece of mail. The address was very specific, "Harry Potter, Cupboard Under The Stairs". His Uncle Vernon took the mail, opened it, and after being horrified, got rid of the mail without ever letting Harry see what was in it.

But the sender was more persistent. Another piece was received shortly thereafter, again addressed the same way. Again disregarded and thrown away.

By the end of the day hundreds of letters had arrived. And Vernon felt the best thing to do would be to get away from the house. But no matter where he took his family, the letters kept arriving. Each time the addressed changed to show precisly where Harry currently was.

Finally, Harry was introduced to a huge man, with a letter for him to read. The man filled the space of the room, and obviously knew Harry Potter, but Harry was just beginning his knowledge of this man and what he stood for.

You see, Harry Potter is a Wizard. His parents were witch/wizard too. And now that he was of age, he would be attending Hogwarts, a school of wizardry.

As he was introduced to the witches/wizards in this new life he became more and more happy. These people wanted to know him. Wanted to talk to him. He had never had this much attention. Everyone knew who Harry Potter was. He was the boy who destroyed the evil Lord Voldemort (eh hem, He Who Must Not Be Named or You Know Who). The incident left him with a lightening bolt scar on his forehead, so anyone who didn't know him, quickly figured out who he was when they saw his scar.

As Harry begins his school year, he begins making friends, Ron and Harmione become almost inseparable as the school year progresses. As Ron and Harry explore the great castle the school is housed inn, they tend to get into trouble. Harmione is always there to nag them about getting kicked out. She is also one of the best students in the class of first years and is always harping at them to study more.

But some things go wrong, conversations overheard, and Harry figures out that someone is trying a steal the Sorcerer's Stone which is being hidden on the grounds of the Castle by the headmaster, Professor Dumbledor.

A lot of curiosity, and a little bit of bravery have Harry, Ron, and Harmione trying to solve the puzzle of who is trying to steal the stone and why.

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Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
The Main Characters
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Harry Potter - I really liked how J.K. Rowling presented Harry. He is a boy. A little nervous around people in the beginning because of the family he grew up with. But as the story develops, so does the boy. We watch as he finds out who he is and what he is. He's not a perfect boy, he is rather gangly, with mussed up hair, that wears glasses. He becomes wide-eyed with wonder as new experiences develop. He gets upset as he finds out the truth of his family. And he is happiest when in the middle of an adventure of exploration. Definitely a kid!

Ron Weasley - Harry's new best friend, well .. first best friend. Ron is the youngest boy in his family, and following in the footsteps of his five older brothers that attended Hogwarts before him. Three are still attending, so he has to put up with them hounding him all the time. But Ron is given his own strengths, and finds out that are things that he can do better than others which helps build him up a bit. But overall, he is just a kid, living in the shadows of others, trying to get others to see him for who he is.

Harmione Granger - Although she'd like to be noticed as "a girl" Harmione has got to be a bit of a tom-boy. She hangs around with the boys, helps them figure out ways to get through obsticles during their adventures, and ends up going on a few with them. However, she is also one of the best students in the class. She prides herself on her A's. She reads all the extra books she can, and does her homework practically before it's assigned.

Hagrid - The huge man that bring news to Harry Potter of his true identity. He is the gamekeeper at Hogwarts and becomes a great friend to Harry, Ron and Harmione. In contrast to his gigantic size, his temperment is that of a happy child that loves animals. He is a kind man, but doesn't always think before he speaks. And his favorite animals, that he finds cute and cuddly, are often very vicious and deadly.

Professor Dumbledor - A kind, old wizard, with extreme powers. Considered one of the greats. He is the headmaster for the school, but takes time to make sure his students know what they need to know, even if it isn't related to school.

Lord Voldemort - You Know Who was destroyed ten years earlier in a spell gone wrong. He was trying to kill Harry Potter (age 1) and the spell reversed, bounced off Harry, and hit himself full force. Some say he died, others say he was too powerful and even without a body he would find a way to regain his powers and come back for revenge.

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Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
My Recommendation
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My kids are 10, 13, and 15 years old. My husband and I are 36 & 34 respectively. My parents, into their 50's. The one thing that we ALL have in common is a love for Harry Potter.

When we have a "cleaning weekend" my kids will grab the Harry Potter books on tape and we will listen to the stories as we clean. Or if we are on a road trip, often Harry will come with us.

We even own the Harry Potter Uno and Harry Potter Trivia (Sorcerer's Stone edition) that makes for a great night of family fun.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone is the first of the series and is great for kids and adults alike. For kids, it's an adventure with someone their own age. For adults, it's like being transformed back to the days when we were only out for adventure.

We already have plans on seeing the movie on opening night, even better would be the preview night. Yes, we're nuts about Harry Potter. But it is so nice to see my kids interested in reading more just to find out what happens next.

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This has been part of the My Kid's Favorite Media writeoff.

Other participants include: adjensen * ali78 * bearysweet * blackcat2 * bops_mom * clpurser * cripper * dearladyb*
deaser26 *debbie26* destinys-child * *dgturtle2* donnie013 * eplovejoy * fallyn96 * jo.com * kcfemme * khahn86351 * kimzstuffz* KMINER * kurt_g * ledomaine * lisaw1215 * lorinsilver *marytara (HOSTESS) * melissasrn * mellkinwa (ME)* micheich * mkmama42 * mommykim * mtbat * Photogirl814 * quasar * shantel575 * sloving * social14 * staceys1 * Tammyinmiami *
westerbear * willeftk * 77chelle


You can learn more about the write-off and its participants by visiting the following website:
http://marytara.iSPARKL.com .