Harry Potter And The Sorcerer’s Stone Book 1 Publisher’s Summary
Turning the envelope over, his hand trembling, Harry saw a purple wax seal bearing a coat of arms a lion, an eagle, a badger and a snake surrounding a large letter ‘H’.
Harry Potter has never even heard of Hogwarts when the letters start dropping on the doormat at number four, Privet Drive. Addressed in green ink on yellowish parchment with a purple seal, they are swiftly confiscated by his grisly aunt and uncle. Then, on Harry’s eleventh birthday, a great beetle-eyed giant of a man called Rubeus Hagrid bursts in with some astonishing news: Harry Potter is a wizard, and he has a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. An incredible adventure is about to begin!
Having become classics of our time, the Harry Potter stories never fail to bring comfort and escapism. With their message of hope, belonging and the enduring power of truth and love, the story of the Boy Who Lived continues to delight generations of new listeners.
Harry Potter And The Sorcerer’s Stone Book 1
- 5 out of 5 stars 179,997
- Performance5 out of 5 stars 158,616
- Story5 out of 5 stars 158,096
Harry Potter has never even heard of Hogwarts when the letters start dropping on the doormat at number four, Privet Drive. Addressed in green ink on yellowish parchment with a purple seal, they are swiftly confiscated by his grisly aunt and uncle. Then, on Harry’s eleventh birthday, a great beetle-eyed giant of a man called Rubeus Hagrid bursts in with some astonishing news: Harry Potter is a wizard, and he has a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. An incredible adventure is about to begin!
All The Harry Potter Books In Order: Your Jk Rowling Reading List
Of all the zeitgeist-defining fiction to come out of the past twenty years, perhaps none has been more universally beloved than the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling. An incredibly imagined fantasy bildungsroman, it follows the eponymous boy wizard as he attends the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and contends with his destiny to fight the Dark Lord, Voldemort. Fortunately, he always has clever, loyal friends Ron and Hermione by his side plus the invaluable mentorship of eccentric but wise Hogwarts headmaster, Dumbledore.
As fellow Potterheads will know, its virtually impossible to rank these books from best to worst, since each one is brilliant in its own way. Thats why weve decided to simply present all the Harry Potter books in order of chronology/publication, hitting the highlights for longtime fans to happily reminisce and to help budding fans get a taste of the series genuine magic.
Heres a quick catalog of the series, so that you know what youre in for:
Also Check: What Does Harry Potter’s Wand Look Like
Harry Potter And The Cursed Child
While not part of the original seven-book series, Cursed Child and the accompanying stage play have become a generally accepted addition to the Harry Potter canon. This 336-page text picks up where the Deathly Hallows epilogue left off, with Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Malfoy sending their unfortunately named kids off to Hogwarts Harrys son Albus and Malfoys son Scorpius serve as our protagonists this time around. Upon arrival at Hogwarts, the boys are both sorted into Slytherin and forge an unlikely friendship, which naturally causes tension between Albus and Harry over the next few years.
After a fight with his father, Albus overhears Cedric Diggorys father Amos asking Harry to use a more powerful version of a Time Turner to go back in time and rescue his son. When Harry refuses, Albus enlists Scorpius to help him save Cedric, with the aid of Diggorys niece Delphi. However, as anyone whos seen Back to the Future can attest, messing with timelines is never a good idea especially in the wizarding world. Things are further complicated by the fact that Delphi is not who she says she is, and may have sinister ulterior motives when it comes to rewriting history.
Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix gets political in big way: despite Voldemorts revival at the end of GoF, the Ministry of Magic continues to deny all rumors and refuse to take action, worried that theyll upset the public. This means the real adults have to take a leaf out of Harry, Ron, and Hermiones book and start fighting him themselves, through an underground vigilante group called the Order of the Phoenix.
But the Order cant do much about Dolores Umbridge, the newly instated and highly sadistic Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher at Hogwarts, who perpetuates the Ministrys lies about Voldemort. When Harry openly defies her in class, she retaliates by giving him chronic detention during which he must write lines with a blood quill that carves the words into the back of his hand. Despite this torment, he and the rest of the class do not acquiesce to Umbridge, and establish a secret defense organization for themselves called Dumbledores Army.
On top of all that, Harry keeps having frequent, harrowing visions of Voldemort when hes asleep, and must take Occlumency lessons with Professor Snape to prevent them. This is a different kind of torture, with Snape forcing entry into Harrys private memories at every lesson and relishing the opportunity to cause him pain. Of course, Snapes own twisted motivations are revealed when Harry gains access to his memories one of which is a bitter altercation with Harrys father.
Also Check: Which Is The First Harry Potter
So What’s The Recommended Reading Order
Fortunately, Harry Potter isn’t one of those series like Star Wars has a sprawling number of canon novels, film novelizations, reference books, and comics to read. Instead, it’s a finite universe which makes catching up on it much easier. We recommend reading the main series chronologically so that you can see Harry and his friends grow up. Then if you’re still thirsting for more of the Wizarding World you can see where your interests most strongly lie , and start again there.
If you still havent read Harry Potter, just know that its never too late to start and even for those who have, youre never too old to go back and relive the magic.
Can’t get enough? Check out our list of the 20 best books like Harry Potter, or 60 best fantasy books for kids!
Trust book recommendations from real people, not robots.
Access Reedsy Discovery for free!
Or sign up with an
Recently discovered fantasy books
Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban
The third book in the series introduces Sirius Black, a deranged mass murderer whos just escaped from the wizard prison of Azkaban. As a result, swarms of Dementors dark, faceless beings that suck the soul out of their victims and serve as the guards of Azkaban infiltrate Hogwarts to patrol for Black, whos supposedly after Harry next. To make matters worse, our normally steadfast hero has a bad reaction to the Dementors, which cause him to faint on a train and even lose a critical Quidditch match.
Again, though, its not all doom and gloom. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban also features Professor Remus Lupin, the new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher and a school friend of Harrys late father. Lupin and Harry quickly forge a father-son-like relationship themselves, and Lupin teaches Harry the Patronus Charm to protect himself from Dementors.
Meanwhile, Ron and Hermione are squabbling even more than usual over their respective pets, Crookshanks the cat and Scabbers the rat. But what seems like a lighthearted subplot turns out to be a major factor in one of the biggest twists of the series, revealed in the last few chapters and which naturally involves Black and Lupin as well. Oh, and hippogriffs and time traveling, in case that wasnt enough to sell you on it.
Also Check: Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Askaban
The Tales Of Beedle The Bard
The Tales of Beedle the Bard is a collection of five fairy wizarding tales, told by, well, Beedle the Bard! Professor Dumbledore bequeathed these age-old tales to Hermione Granger, and they turned out to be instrumental in helping Harry Potter crack the clues given to him in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Now it’s your chance to read them for yourself. Though the stories in this book all have a magical twist, the themes at their cores still resonate with what we associate with fairy tales: friendship, the everlasting strength of love, and the magic that each one of us possesses.
Harry Potter And The Sorcerers Stone
In Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, the book that started it all , Harry Potter discovers his true identity in the wee hours of his eleventh birthday: he is a wizard, famous in the magical world for having vanquished the evil Lord Voldemort when he was only a baby. This revelation, delivered by a gruff, hairy giant named Hagrid, sets Harry on a fantastical journey of a lifetime.
He meets bosom buddies Ron and Hermione aboard the Hogwarts Express, and is soon sorted with them into Gryffindor: the house of the intrepid and brave. However, Harry also makes plenty of enemies at Hogwarts, most notably the arrogant Draco Malfoy and the nasty potions master, Snape . And from battling a troll on Halloween to his first exhilarating Quidditch match not to mention the novels climax, in which Harry goes up against Voldemort for the second time in his young life theres never a dull moment in the first year of his new adventure.
Sorcerers Stone also perfectly balances exciting action with touching emotion, as Harry finds a true family in Ron and Hermione after years of misery with the Dursleys. Indeed, the books small, moving moments such as Harry being floored by a gift from Rons mother, or Hermiones tearful declaration at the end about books and cleverness are just as magical as the spells themselves.
Don’t Miss: How Old Is Harry Potter In The Chamber Of Secrets
The Fantastic Beasts Screenplays
Unless you’ve been living under a rock this entire time, you’ve probably heard of the two new Wizarding World movies that have hit Hollywood in the past few years. Led by actor Eddie Redmayne and an all-star ensemble cast, the Fantastic Beasts films tell the story of Newt Scamander, Albus Dumbledore, and the dark battle against Gellert Grindelward in the blackened days before Lord Voldemort entered the scene.
Of course, you can choose to simply watch the continuation of the Wizarding World on-screen but reading the screenplays of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: the Original Screenplay and Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald The Original Screenplay will undoubtedly give you that extra level of depth and insight into the characters.
Hogwarts: An Incomplete And Unreliable Guide
Sourced from the short reads on Pottermore.com and gathered into one book for easy reading, Hogwarts: An Incomplete and Unreliable Guidegives you all of the background information that you might want to know about Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardly. Ever been curious about what the Hufflepuff common room looks like ? Did you ever wonder about the origins of Platform Nine-and-Three-Quarters? Here’s the book that will provide all of the answers.
Don’t Miss: Who Played Dumbledore In The Harry Potter Series
Short Stories From Hogwarts Of Power Politics And Pesky Poltergeists
Not everything about Hogwarts and the Wizarding World is bright and shiny indeed, the series has birthed some of most memorable villains in literature, from Dolores Umbridge to Lord Voldemort himself. Short Stories from Hogwarts of Power, Politics and Pesky Potergeists delves deeper into this darker side of Harry’s universe: in particular, it’ll walk you through the politics of wizards and the backstories of Hogwart’s villains, like Profess Umbridge.
Awards Honours And Recognition
The Harry Potter series has been recognised by a host of awards since the initial publication of Philosopher’s Stone including a platinum award from the Whitaker Gold and Platinum Book Awards , three Nestlé Smarties Book Prizes , two Scottish Arts Council Book Awards , the inaugural Whitbread children’s book of the year award , the WHSmith book of the year , among others. In 2000, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban was nominated for a Hugo Award for Best Novel, and in 2001, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire won said award. Honours include a commendation for the Carnegie Medal , a short listing for the Guardian Children’s Award , and numerous listings on the notable books, editors’ Choices, and best books lists of the American Library Association, The New York Times, Chicago Public Library, and Publishers Weekly.
In 2007, the seven Harry Potter book covers were depicted on a series of UK postage stamps issued by Royal Mail. In 2012, the opening ceremony of the 2012 Summer Olympics in London featured a 100-foot tall rendition of Lord Voldemort in a segment designed to showcase the UK’s cultural icons. In November 2019, the BBC listed the Harry Potter series on its list of the 100 most influential novels.
Recommended Reading: What Countries Netflix Has Harry Potter
Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets
In Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Harry and friends return to Hogwarts with a bang the bang of a flying Ford Anglia as it crashes into the Whomping Willow, that is. After being spotted by Muggles and narrowly avoiding expulsion, youd think that the rest of Harrys second year would be smooth sailing in comparison right?
Wrong. When the school caretakers cat is found petrified along with a bone-chilling message that the Chamber of Secrets has been opened, fear and suspicions start to arise and of course, only worsen when students start getting petrified too. Nobody can figure out who the culprit is, only that he refers to himself as the Heir and seems to be on the warpath.
But as our young heroes know well by now, if you want a mystery solved right, you have to do it yourself. Which they do through a combination of Polyjuice potion brewing, mysterious flashbacks provided by a sentient journal, and a truly horrific excursion to see a giant spider called Aragog. The book culminates in a visit to the titular chamber, which lies underneath Hogwarts and contains yet another deadly threat that Harry must face.
But of course, this being an early Potter book, its not all din and danger. Comic relief comes in the form of moronic, egocentric professor Gilderoy Lockhart, and toilet ghost Moaning Myrtle who, in true Rowling fashion, ends up being key to the central plot twist of the story.
Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them
Can’t get enough of the fantastical creatures that fill Harry Potter‘s pages? You’re in luck. As detailed by J.K. Rowling , Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is the definitive compendium to the magical beasts that roam the wizarding world. You’ll find some familiar companions such as the Hippogriff, the Basilisk, the Hungarian Horntail but you’ll also discover many, many new creatures to befriend. This is the text that inspired the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them movie trilogy, so if you’re looking to catch up on the source, this is where to start!
Recommended Reading: Which House Do I Belong In In Harry Potter
Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows
Or as its known colloquially, Harry Potter and the Worst Camping Trip Ever. After the events of the previous book culminating in another major characters heartbreaking death Harry vows to personally destroy every one of Voldemorts Horcruxes. These Horcruxes are objects containing pieces of Voldemorts soul, rendering him effectively immortal. Which means that if Harry wants even a chance at killing Voldemort face-to-face, hell need to locate and eliminate the Horcruxes first. Its this daunting prospect that leads to the Worst Camping Trip Ever though of course, its brightened somewhat by the presence of the ever-faithful Ron and Hermione.
To be fair, the events of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows arent as quotidianly miserable as the events of OotP at least we know the characters are suffering for a greater purpose. But that doesnt stop this from being, as you might expect, the darkest book in the series. From the corrupting influence of a locket that causes Ron to abandon his friends, to the tragic prophecy that Harry uncovers through more of Snapes past memories, this book truly tests the readers tolerance for beloved characters in distress.
Discover Your Hogwarts House On Wizarding World
Are you Gryffindor? Are you Hufflepuff? Are you Slytherin? Are you Ravenclaw?
Find out with the Hogwarts Sorting Experience created by J.K. Rowling.
Now, were assuming youre more than familiar with the four houses of Hogwarts, but heres a quick refresher, just in case.
Hogwarts was founded over a thousand years ago by four powerful wizards: Godric Gryffindor, Salazar Slytherin, Rowena Ravenclaw and Helga Hufflepuff. They chose to split the students into four houses, each bearing their surnames and featuring young wizards and witches who displayed abilities and personalities they wanted to nurture.
To do this, Godric Gryffindor used his magical hat henceforward known as the Sorting Hat to decide which children should go into which house, and so it has been ever since with a yearly Sorting Ceremony that places each new pupil into their own new home.
The four houses have different entry requirements, and nobody summed them up better than the old Sorting Hat itself in its welcoming song…
Don’t Miss: How Old Is Draco Malfoy