Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone/Sorcerer's Stone
A mysterious letter,
delivered by the friendly giant Hagrid, wrenches Harry from his dreary, Muggle-ridden
existence: "We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." Of course, Uncle Vernon yells
most unpleasantly, "I AM NOT PAYING FOR SOME CRACKPOT OLD FOOL TO TEACH HIM
MAGIC TRICKS!" Soon enough, however, Harry finds himself at Hogwarts with
his owl Hedwig... and that's where the real adventure--humorous, haunting, and
suspenseful--begins. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, first
published in England as Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone,
continues to win major awards in England. So far it has won the National Book
Award, the Smarties Prize, the Children's Book Award, and is short-listed for
the Carnegie Medal, the U.K. version of the Newbery Medal. This magical,
gripping, brilliant book--a future classic to be sure--will leave kids clamoring
for Harry
Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and Harry
Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. (Ages 8 to 13) --Karin Snelson