Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
Yer a wizard…
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone is the first book in the Harry Potter series. In it, the author, JK Rowling, introduced us to many of the characters, places and themes that we will see in the next 6 books.
Harry Potter is an orphan sentenced to living with his mean Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon, and their spoiled child, Dudley. On his eleventh birthday, Harry learns that not only does he have magical powers, but he will learn how to use them at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. With this discovery, Harry’s world is completely changed. In the Wizarding world he is famous for being the one person who could not be killed by nefarious dark wizard, Voldemort. While at Hogwarts, Harry makes friends, begins to learn about his parents, and finds most of his teachers to be friendly and supportive. But not everyone is happy Harry has returned to this world…
We hope you had a great time reading the first book in this exciting series, and will join us in reading the next installment, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets! Discussions for book #2 will be up in the middle of February. But for now, please enjoy discussing the events of this book in the comments!
- Did you like this book? Hate it? Did it remind you of something you’ve read or seen before?
- Which places in the book would you like to visit?
- If you could hear this same story from another person’s point of view, who would you choose?
- Were you surprised at what happened with Professor Quirrell? Were you suspicious of anyone else?
You might belong in Gryffindor,
here dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve, and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart;
You might belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true
And unafraid of toil;
Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
if you’ve a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind;
Or perhaps in Slytherin
You’ll make your real friends,
Those cunning folks use any means
To achieve their ends.
- When the kids arrive at Hogwarts, the Sorting Hat sings a song describing the 4 Houses- Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw- and their members. What House would you be sorted into?
What did we miss? Is there anything you would like to discuss or any questions you and your family had? Did you have a favorite quote or a favorite scene?
Please introduce them in the comments.
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We ask library patrons under 13 to participate in these discussions with adult supervision. We would like to encourage families to incorporate discussion questions into their at-home book chats. Discussions are open to first time readers, and super-fans, so please limit spoilers to the book currently being discussed and previous ones only. There will be a second post, later in the month for overarching theories and ideas, and for connecting what happens in this book to events in future installments.
Please be respectful.