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Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone   Author: J.K. Rowling   Ages: 10-14   Topics: fantasy, owls, school, spells, wizards   Genre: Fantasy   Summary Harry Potter's life changes forever when he receives a mysterious letter sent by owl messenger inviting him to attend a very unique kind of school. Follow Harry's adventures in his first year of wizard school as he becomes the star of his Quidditch team, learns a little magic, and solves an incredible mystery.

Beyond the Book

As you read each chapter, you'll probably think of many things to discuss. Below are some good starting points:

• Read the reviews that other people have written about the book at Amazon.com. Do you agree or disagree with the reviews? Write your own review and compare it with your reading partner.
• Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone was originally called Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. Why do you think they changed the title of the book when it was published for the North American audience?
• Discuss what house (Hogwarts, Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, or Slytherin) you think the sorting hat would select for you. Guess what house your reading partner would select for you. Why did you make these selections?
• How would Harry's life have been different if he had been assigned to the Slytherin house?
• Would owls really make good messengers? Learn more about owls and decide whether an owl would make a good pet. Use the following sites: 42explore: Owls, Owls, Owl Pages, Owls of North America, Great Horned Owl, and Jennifer's Owl Page.
• Where would you go if you had an invisibility suit?
• The mirror Erised reflects a person's desires. What would your reflection look like? Brainstorm different ways the mirror might be used if it existed.

Do something together that relates to a theme in the book.

• A chess game is an important element near the climax of the book. Learn to play chess at the Chess is Fun Site or the Beginner's Chess Page. Play a game of chess.
• Harry loved to play a game called Quidditch. Get out all the old recreation equipment you have sitting in the garage. Invent your own backyard game using pieces from different games such as a croquet mallet, volleyball, and hoola hoop. Make your own rules, get some exercise, and have some fun!

Author Information

As you read, you'll want to learn about the author of the book. J.K. Rowling is the author of the Harry Potter series. Use the following links to learn about the author of the book.

• Scholastic's J.K. Rowling
• Raincoast Kid's About the Author
• Stories from the Web: The Author

Book Information

You can find lots of interesting games and activities related to the Harry Potter series. Use the following links to learn more about the book.

• Scholastic's Harry Potter - Official Site
• Connecting Students: Harry Potter - Learning Site
• Harry Potter - Learning Site
• The Harry Potter Page - Fan Site
• Harry Potter Fan Club - Fan Site

 

Many people think Harry Potter is very similar to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Read both books and make a comparison.

 

If you enjoy Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, consider reading other books in the Harry Potter series including Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.

 

  

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