Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Book 1) by J. K. Rowling
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Book Reviews of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Book 1)
Book Review: The "M-word"
Summary: 5 Stars
It seems even magic is not powerful enough to scour the stain of bigotry from the world.
(And no, I'm not talking about Draco Malfoy referring to Hermione as a "mudblood." He's a nasty character - of COURSE he'd be a racist jerk. From his twisted perspective, EVERYone would be beneath his stature.)
I'm talking about the term "muggle."
"Muggles" (please pardon my use of the expression) are defined as "nonmagic folk."
Essentially, the word is used as an epithet to marginalize anyone who, through accident of birth, isn't able wield magic. To put it another way, "muggle" is a term of derision calling attention to one's disability. This is the same as referring to someone with Down's Syndrome as a "t*rd," or someone born with limited mobility as a "cr*pple."
The term is bandied about quite casually - even as likable and noble a character as Hagrid uses it. Indeed, he uses it derisively, mocking Harry's Uncle Vernon when the man protests Harry's enrollment at Hogwarts.
It was said as an insult, no different than if Uncle Vernon was of Asian descent, and Hagrid called him a "ch*nk." In short, it's reprehensible.
(This could also bring up the issue of Hogwarts as an exclusionary institution.)
Of course, it's likely that wizards and witches were persecuted in times past - our history is replete with instances of supposed witches and gypsies being oppressed, or even slain (Salem, anyone?), so it's perhaps unsurprising that the persecuted become the persecutors...one of the more unpleasant aspects of Human Nature.
Still, magic implies a deep connection with the underlying structure and systems of the world - the ability to alter energy and matter to suit one's purpose would necessitate the perception of how reality is put together - so the fact that the wizards and witches of "Harry Potter" cannot rise above such pettiness is disheartening. Nay - it may in fact be chilling PROOF that such segregation between people is the natural order of things!
To be clear: I'm not accusing J.K. Rowling of being a racist. If anything, she's simply clever enough to sneak a little sad reality into her fanciful world, to give it a little sting of believability.
Perhaps "magically challenged" would be more acceptable, hmmm?
Book Review: harry's life
Summary: 5 Stars
Josh Hinz ELA
4/2/07 FD-BR
For Harry potter life isn't easy. From what he has heard his mother and father had died in a car accident but he doesn't believe that, he had always had mixed emotions about that idea. He would have to live with his aunt and uncle even thought they treated him like mashed up dirt and make him do all the nasty work around there dread up old crusty junk of a house. He has always dreamed of being a normal kid and having a normal life.
The older he got the weirder things had been happening to him. The next few days he had been getting letters in the mail. It had been an invite to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He had a vision of what the school would look like. The hallways where lined with red laced ribbon. The candle lighten lights where lined on the red bricked walls. Harry was happy right from the start, now that he was with his kind of people he felt right at home.
His classes were far from normal and really odd. The one problem was that he had already made some enemies along the way. His enemies were pretty much the whole school. They thought he was weird and Harry was going to prove it that he wasn't normal but the same as them. The only way was to take his friends Hermoine and Ron to the secret chamber in the restricted part of the library. When they got there a huge vile 3- headed dog lunged at them. To find out what happens next go and read Harry potter and the sorcerer stone by J.K Roland.
Book Review: Mysterious, scary, and funny all at once!
Summary: 5 Stars
Harry Potter is a really neat book about a boy who grew up in his mom's sister's family . He was unaware that he was a wizard until his eleventh birthday, when a stranger from a mysterious school of magic comes and alerts him that he is a wizard . He then learns that he is expected to go to Hogwarts. The stranger, Hagrid, tells Harry about the school of magic. While with Hagrid, Harry goes to the Gringots bank and discovers that he has a small fortune, all in wizard money. He then goes shopping for the various items he needs. With his new things he is off to Hogwarts school of magic, where he makes friends with two other kids that are starting their first year at Hogwarts. Then at his new school, Harry is greeted by the stranger that told him about the school.
Harry Potter is a book for kids who really want a lot of excitement. It is scary, funny, and mysterious..One of the funny parts was when Hagrid cursed Dudley so he had a pig's tail. The scary part was when Harry saw He Who Must Not Be Named sharing a body with his teacher. And a mysterious part was when he learned of Nicholas Flamel and the sorcerers stone. The sorcerers stone is a stone that produced the elixir of life and Nicholas Flamel is a man who is six hundred years old. I thought it was one of the greatest books I ever read. It had some really funny parts that I liked. If you want a good kids book this one is for you.
Book Review: Harry Potter, my first best friend
Summary: 5 Stars
A few days ago I was looking over the reviews on my favorite books and I decided to look up Harry Potter and the Sorcerors Stone. I read a review that got some of it right, yeah this book is aimed at ages 10-14, (I'm 11) but then she said it was not for INTELLIGENT adults. Now, my parents read this book too and it is one of their favorites as well, so I despise that women. ANYWAY...
Harry Potter's parents are killed when he is about one year old. With no better place to put him, the wizarding community sets him at his only other relatives house, his aunt and uncles house. Now, this wouldn't be so bad if they werent' the most Dursleyish people you would ever meet. Mr. and Mrs. Dursley want nothing to do with Harry, but they also don't want him to know about the wizarding community. When Harry is 11, they get punished for their untruthfulness. A half-giant named Hagrid comes to bring Harry to Hogwarts (a wizarding school) and Harry knows absolutely NOTHING about magic and is under the influence that his parents died in a car crash whil really the were murdered by Lord Voldemort (the evilest wizard in the world.) This story is incredible and you will feel like its your life and not his when you read this and create new friends, new enemys, new challenges, and a new life. This book is a book that you will read again and again. (in literal sense, I've read it about 15 times)
Book Review: Harry Potter and the Sorserers Stone
Summary: 5 Stars
Harry Potter
And the
Sorserers Stone
By: J.K. Rowling
I rate this book a 5!!! This book is about Harry Potter and his first year at Hogwarts school of and Wizardry. There he will find friends, like Hermione and Ron, teachers, like Professor Snape, and a stone of magical power behind every corner.
The characters are three friends, Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Harry is a boy with black hair and glasses. He is the main character and in the book, he defeats the dark lord, Voldormort, for the time-being. And there's Harry's best friend, Ron. A red haired, freckle face boy. He lives in a poor family and is not, well, he's a little rude. And last, Hermione. She's a smart, brown haired girl with non-magic parents. She is the smartest of the three friends.
The setting is in Hogwarts school of Witch craft and Wizardry. Which is a big school for kids that are Witches or wizards.
The theme is bravery, and friendship. Harry must be brave to kill Voldormort, the dark wizard who killed Harry's parents. Harry must kill him with the help of his friends, Ron and Hermione.
The story ends when Harry is in the Hospital Wing after fighting Voldormort. Now it's your turn to read the book and find out if Harry killed Voldormort, or just drove him away.