Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
J.K. Rowling
High Fantasy, Fiction
Sixth grade reading level
Scholastic Press New York 1998

Harry Potter became an orphan when his parents were murdered by the evil wizard Voldemort. After his parent’s death, Harry was left on his aunt and uncles doorstep by good wizards. Harry's aunt and uncle Petunia and Vernon Dursley were ashamed to have been related to Harry's parents who were a wizard and a witch. For that reason they also disliked Harry and resented having to care for him. The Dursley's never told Harry what really happened to his parents there for Harry was completely unaware that he was a wizard. The Dursley's treated Harry horribly. They forced him to live in the cupboard while their spoiled son Dudley used the spare room to store his toys. The Dursley's gave Dudley everything under the sun but deprived Harry of almost everything. Harry was treated worse than an animal and Dudley was allowed to make Harry's life miserable.

Harry lived this miserable life until one day a mysterious letter came addressed to Harry. The Dursley's took the letter from Harry before he could read it and destroyed it. Each day more and more letters came and Vernon and Petunia became very upset. Vernon nailed the mail slot shut but even more letters came. Vernon was very worried about the letters and ordered that all of them get in the car and leave. They went to a hotel where the Dursley's felt they would never be found but a letter still came. Horrified, the Dursley's and Harry set off again. This time they went to a small house on a remote island. That night an abnormally large man named Hagrid came bursting in. He informed Harry of about his family. He was irate when he found out that the Dursely's had not told Harry about his parents or that he was a wizard. Harry did not even know that Wizards and magic existed. Hagrid informed Harry that he had been accepted into the Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Hagrid forced the Dursleys to allow Harry to attend and gave Dudley a pig's tail.
Hagrid showed Harry his vault full of gold that his parents had left him and told Harry about what a legend he was because the evil dreaded Voldemort was unable to kill him. Hagrid helped Harry buy all he needed to begin school at Hogwarts.

Harry met new friends Ron, Hermione, and Neville who were also first year students while on the train to Hogwarts. Ron was one of the infamous Weasley brothers who had quite the reputation for being mischievous. Hermione was a very brainy girl who came from a family of Muggles which is what wizards called mortals. Neville was a very shy and easily bullied boy. Harry was also formally introduced to his new enemy Malfoy whom he had briefly met before when he was being fitted for his wizard robe. Malfoy was a snotty boy who seemed to believe that he was much better that the rest. Once at Hogwarts, Harry, Hermione, Ron and Neville were all placed in the Gryffindor dormitory house and began classes. Harry and his friends found their classes either very hard or very boring. Harry began to feel that his professor Snape disliked him and he believed that he had tried to kill Harry by putting a spell on him while he was playing the wizard game of Quidditch for which he was very good at. For Christmas Harry received a magic cape that made him invisible along with a note telling him that it had belonged to his father and to use it wisely. Harry began exploring the school at night while invisible. During this time he found a magic mirror which showed him his family. Harry later learned from headmaster Dumbledore, that the mirror showed who ever looked in it what the desired most. Harry had earlier discovered that there was a giant three headed dog owned by Hagrid guarding something very secret in Hogwarts. He later discovered that the sorcerer's stone was being hidden. The sorcerer’s stone was created by Dumbledore and his partner Nicolas Flamel and gave strength and eternal life to who ever possessed it. Harry also discovered the Voldemort wanted the stone and he believed that Snape was evil and trying to help Voldemort.

Harry and Hermione set off to protect the stone after Dumbledore was tricked into leaving Hogwarts. After they slipped past the dog, Hermione used logic to get Harry through a barrier of fire. Their Harry discovered that Voldemort's accomplice was not Snape. Instead, the innocent acting and stuttering Professor Quirrell was truly the evil one. They had been hiding the very ill and feeble Voldemort in his turban the whole time. Harry was able to kill Quirrill and save the stone. Harry was injured badly but he recovered and was once again a legend and now a hero. Dumbledore awarded Harry's house enough points to win the coveted cup for that year’s competition between the houses.

J.K. Rowling is an amazing author. I never felt lost or confused while reading her book because of her vivid descriptions of the characters and scenery. Her creativity amazes me. I never could have come up with this amazing book. I often get board with novels but that was impossible with this book because there was always something to keep you guessing. Rowling also did a wonderful job enthralling her readers into the lives of the characters. My heart bled for Harry while he was being forced to live such a miserable life with the Dursleys. I could just see the sad, miserable little boy setting alone locked up in that cupboard. She was able make the reader identify with the characters who were dealing with trying to fit in a new environment or being bullied like Harry and his friends were. Who has not dealt with these issues? Harry was small and awkward, but he was the most capable of them all to save humanity. He and his friend’s strength, intelligence, and bravery, helped them fight evil and end up on top. Harry and his friend’s bravery and intelligence helped the Gryffindor finally beat Slytheren who rarely used virtue to win. Their story is an inspiration to children who don’t fit in or feel unconfident because Rowling writes in a way that the reader can find a way to relate Harry’s trials and tribulations to every day life without the magic.

Rowling defiantly conveyed the message that being a good person can lead to success. Rowling managed to pull herself out of poverty by her boot straps and I think that she wants all children to know that it is possible to change your life for the better and that nothing is impossible as long as you work hard and keep your morals intact. I think this is an excellent book for students. This book is a great way to expose students to fantasy at a higher level. This book which is set in Great Britain could also be used to teach students about locations in Britain that are mentioned in the book and also could lead to a great discussion on similarities and differences in American and British customs and speech. I have also found many other teaching ideas from searching the internet. There are so many animals to explore such as owls, toads, rats, and many others that a classroom teacher could use to integrate reading with science and social studies. There are also endless possibilities for students to explore the characteristics of a novel and character traits through Rowling’s extremely high quality literature. I hope that I can convince my students to read this book in the future. I did not read this book when I was a child because I didn't think I would like it. Boy was I wrong!! This book was exciting and imaginative. I am very glad that I finally read this book and I plan to read all of the Harry Potter books.

The Princess Night

The Princess Night
Funk, Cornelia
Meyer, Kristin
fantasy
Scholastic Inc. (2005)
K-3

The Princess Night is an enchanting book about a princess named Violetta that was raised by her father the king after her mother died. Violetta that three brothers who were taught how to ride, joust, and give orders like all good princes should. Violetta’s father decided to teach Violetta all of the tasks and lessons he taught his sons because those were the lessons he was taught. Violetta’s brothers made fun of her riding and jousting abilities because she was small and a girl. They called her “Itsy-Bitsy Little Vi.” Violetta quickly tiered of being teased and decided to take the matter into her own hands. She snuck out at night and practiced tirelessly until she had mastered the skills. All was well until the King informed Violetta that he was holding a jousting competition and the prize would be Violetta’s hand in marriage. Violetta was only sixteen and she did not want to be forced to marry someone not of her choice. Once again Violetta took the matter into her own hands and dressed up as a man and one the competition herself. Violetta proclaimed that she would not marry until she found a man that could beat her in jousting. From that moment on she had her father and brother’s respect.

This is a very high quality book that I enjoyed. You can always count on Funk to portray young girls positively. The character Violetta was able to do what ever men do and she was in control of her own destiny. This is a great message for young girls. Another teaching point that this book could help with is that of past traditions such as pre-determined marriages. Our society for the most part does not continue this practice so many students might not understand why such a young girl would be forced to marry.

Meyer’s illustrations were quite pleasing as always. The single and double spread illustrations appear to be done in water color. The colors are vibrant and ad to the mystical fairytale vibe of the book. The only negative thing I can say about this book is that the text layout at the beginning could be confusing to a beginning reader confusing. The first paragraph is located on the second page and the second paragraph is on the first page and the third paragraph jumps back to the third page. Despite this, I feel that this is a good book to incorporate into the classroom.

Responce to the Pirate Girl

The Pirate Girl
Funk, Cornelia
Meyer, Kristin
fantasy
Scholastic Inc. (2005)
K-5
The Pirate Girl is a humorous book about a feisty girl named Molly who is kidnapped by a gang of pirates on a ship named the Horrible Haddock while she was on her way to see her grandmother. Molly refused to give her captures her parent's names and address so they can collect a ransom. All she will tell them is that her mother's name would scare them. The pirates make her do chore after chore in order to get her to talk. Molly refuses to give in. Instead, she throws bottles in the ocean that have messages inside them. One day the pirates caught her throwing a bottle in the ocean. At the same time, a pirate ship appears full of female pirates. The pirates aboard the Horrible Haddok immediately recognize the leader of the female pirates as Barbarous Bertha. Molly informs the pirates that Bertha is her mother an that they are in big trouble. In the end Molly was able to continue her trip to her grandmother's and Barbarous Bertha forces the crew of the Horrible Haddock to do the same grueling chores Molly had done.

This is really cool book. I like that Cornelia Funk's books show young girls and women as smart and powerful. Molly was not portrayed as the damsel in distress as she waited helplessly for someone to save her. Instead she kept her wit and saved herself by sending her mother messages. Furthermore, Molly did not have to be saved by a man. Instead, she was saved by strong and powerful women. I think this book would be an excellent book to use to teach children about gender roles and to help break down stereotypes about how women act and what they are capable of. I think that children need to be taught early that women can be as strong and capable as men.

This book was a joy to read largely because of the illustrations by Meyer. There is no information about the illustration in the book or on the Chicken House web site but they appear to have been drawn in pen then colored with water color. The double page Illustrations use a mixture of vibrant colors that really capture the reader’s interest and set the humorous mood of the book. I defiantly enjoyed this book and will incorporate it into my classroom.