harry potter book review ks2

A review of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone By J. K. Rowling

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone By J. K. Rowling Bloomsbury Pub Ltd Paperback: 224 pages, Feb 2000, ISBN-13: 978-0747532743

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J. K. Rowling is a book about bravery and courage. As Professor Albus Dumbledore, the Headmaster at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, says “It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends.”

I enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it for muggles aged eleven and up. This is the first in the seven book Harry Potter series. I think readers must read Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone before reading the other books in the series, as this book sets the scene for the Harry Potter world.

As the title suggests, the main character in this book is Harry James Potter, also known as the boy who lived. The book follows Harry in his first year at Hogwarts, where he meets Hermione Jean Granger, a genius, and Ronald Bilius Weasley, a red head with six siblings.

When he was just a baby, Harry’s parents were killed by a Dark Arts wizard named Voldemort. Voldemort also tried to kill Harry but failed, leaving Harry with a scar in the shape of a lightning bolt on his forehead, and giving him the title the boy who lived. On the night of his parents’ death, Harry was placed on the doorstep of his aunt and uncle, the Dursley’s, much to their displeasure.

“Harry – yer a wizard” Harry was told on his eleventh birthday. With this news, he left the Dursley’s grasp for Hogwarts.

Harry, Ron and Hermione discover that in a room in the Forbidden Corridor on the third floor at Hogwarts, covered by spells and curses, lays the one and only Philosopher’s Stone – a stone that can transform any metal into pure gold and also produces the Elixir of Life, which will make the drinker immortal. During his time at Hogwarts, Harry develops the feeling that his potions teacher Professor Snape hates him, and has a gut feeling that Snape will try and steal the stone. One night, Harry, Ron and Hermione sneak up to the Forbidden Corridor to get the stone before Snape does. The trio pass through challenging obstacles. In the end, Harry has to finish the mission on his own and to his surprise, it’s not at all what he expected.

The theme of this story is magic and mystery. Nothing is as it seems, with changes at every turn.

This book is unlike any other; J. K. Rowling has opened the door to a whole new world of reading. Those readers who enjoy the Scarlet and Ivy series by Sophie Cleverly should also enjoy the Harry Potter series.

About the reviewer: Cleo was Commended in the 2019 Hunter Writers’ Centre/Compulsive Reader Review competition. She is in Grade 6 and her favourite subjects are novel study, reading groups and writing. Cleo has participated in the Premier’s Reading Challenge since she started school. Cleo plays as the Goal Shooter and Goal Attack in her local netball team, which she loves. Cleo’s dream is to have a dog and she is yet to know what she wants to be in the future.

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Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

By j.k. rowling.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone is one of the most popular children's books ever written. It is a story about the triumph of love and bravery over evil.

Article written by Mohandas Alva

M.A. Degree in English Literature from Manipal University, India.

‘ Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone ‘ is a very engaging read for children and adults alike. Since it is the first book in this series, we are introduced to an entirely new world in this book. The world of magic slowly builds itself as we read through the book. The genius of this book is using the protagonist Harry’s discovery of this world to parallel the readers’.

Furthermore, despite several hardships and literally being an orphan who never knew love, Harry still recognizes love and affection when he sees it. While this book is memorable for a plethora of reasons, some elements of Rowling’s writing triumph as winners.

Discovering the Story World and Magic as a Metaphor

J. K. Rowling does a great job writing this story with an omniscient third-person narrative but still keeping the narrator wherever Harry is for a major part of this book. This makes the reader’s fascination and interest in the world of magic as new and real as Harry’s. We are introduced to several facts and significant peculiarities of the world of magic, all of which seem very consistently developed, adding authenticity to it. 

While there are a lot of similarities between the real world and the world of magic, the differences are usually peculiar and downright funny at times. Platform nine and three-quarters, running through a brick wall, ghosts roaming freely and talking to living people, and many other peculiarities add to the charm of creating an interesting story world. One could go on to theorize that calling non-magic people muggles and portraying the Dursleys as ordinary people who hate things like magic has a metaphorical purpose. 

It furthers the cause and appeals to the readers to be more imaginative and creative. Magic is a metaphor for imagination in this case. The Dursleys are scared of anything out of the ordinary. They spend their entire day doing mundane tasks they assign meaning to and criticize almost anything and anyone that doesn’t fit their design.

On the contrary, Harry, despite being ill-treated and not loved by the Dursleys, has a flair for imagination and creativity. It didn’t take very long for him to get used to the wizarding ways, and he very clearly had the potential to do great things after all. This book is, in its essence, an inspiration for readers to make dreams come true and bravely follow their dreams despite obstacles. It is an apt narrative for children who, at their age, tend to discover new things and ideas to develop. 

Good vs Evil and Heroism

The trope of a savior standing up to the tyrant is not new. However, ‘ Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone ‘ being a children’s book, delves into this slowly. When Harry is unaware of magic and thinks that his parents died in an accident, he is a normal child with very little to think about good, evil, and the need for heroism.

However, once he is informed of the actual circumstances of his parents’ death and after discovering magic, he gains new insights, and his worldview significantly changes. His sense of responsibility and the need to stop Voldemort at any cost from getting to the Philosopher’s Stone set the path for his heroism. This transition happens slowly, yet it feels very natural. He doesn’t know what he will do if he faces Voldemort. Despite this naive understanding of the consequences, he still chooses to face Voldemort. 

This portrayal of heroism is quite commendable as it appeals to the very cause of wanting to stop the wrongdoing. The fact that an eleven-year-old boy and his two friends thwart a feared dark wizard from stealing the Philosopher’s Stone in a school that has so many adults who are way more experienced and well-equipped to do it portrays heroism in its purest form. Heroism is more the choice to take action against evil than the ability to stop evil. This book does a good job illustrating this subtlety.

Sacrifice in Harry Potter

Sacrifice is an essential part of this novel. The story of ‘ Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone ‘ uses sacrifice to define both friendship and love. Harry’s parents die because they sacrifice themselves to protect Harry. Ron sacrifices himself while playing Wizard chess. Several people who fought in the war against Voldemort sacrificed themselves for the well-being of the collective community. 

The trope of sacrifice plays a major role in setting up differences in morality between the good and the evil. As Dumbledore points out to Harry, Voldemort does not understand love. The fact that Harry understands love and values it, sets a specific difference in the choices that Harry and Lord Voldemort make.

Harry is willing to sacrifice himself when he takes over the task of protecting the Philosopher’s Stone. On the contrary, Voldemort uses others for his selfish motives. This stark difference between willing to sacrifice oneself and using others as a shield to protect oneself makes all the difference and definitively separates good and evil in this book.

Why was Harry Potter banned?

Harry Potter was banned in a catholic school in Nashville, Tennessee, because of fear of evil spirits. Some other places have also banned Harry Potter books for similar religious fears. Some religious leaders were concerned that the spells and enchantments mentioned in the book were real and that they could summon evil spirits and dark magic.

Is  Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone  worth reading for an adult?

‘ Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone ‘ is definitely worth reading for an adult. While it was written as a children’s book, it has outlived this label, and there are people of all ages who not only read these books but also engage in community discussions and have fun playing games inspired by these books. Many people have found reading this book a very rewarding experience, as is evident from the sales and fame this book has garnered across all demographics.

Should I read  Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone  or watch the movie? 

While the movie is undoubtedly well-made and a thrill to watch, the books are far more detailed and a very thrilling read. Most people who have both read the books and watched the movies always choose the former as a better experience. Furthermore, there are several interesting and amusing characters and scenes in the book that the movie couldn’t incorporate. So, one would be missing out on a lot if one doesn’t read ‘ Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. ‘

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone Review - A Thrilling Read

Book Title: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

Book Description: 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone' by J.K. Rowling is an enchanting, generation-defining tale of a young wizard's magical journey.

Book Author: J.K. Rowling

Book Edition: First UK Edition

Book Format: Hardcover

Publisher - Organization: Bloomsbury

Date published: June 26, 1997

Illustrator: Thomas Taylor

ISBN: 1-4088-5565-2

Number Of Pages: 309

• Writing Style
• Lasting effect on the reader

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone Book Review

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J K Rowling is a thrilling read that hooks the reader from page one. Published in the year 1997, it is one of the highest grossing novels ever written. Some elements of the novel like its elaborate yet accessible world-building makes it a very entertaining read for children and adults alike. It follows the story of an orphan boy named Harry Potter who realizes he is a wizard and the rest of the book records his journey as a young wizard in Hogwarts, a school of magic. This book, and the series as a whole have been a definitive part of an entire generation’s childhood and have garnered very high praise as an entertaining read.

• The plot is entertaining and is a very immersive read.
• Has a lot of early lessons for children on morality.
• The characters are well developed and the story world is well structured and interesting.
• The writing style may be a bit rudimentary for adult avid readers.
• Several instances of Deux Ex Machina make the protagonist’s position very safe and lacking any real danger.
• Some mild instances of body shaming exist within the novel.

Summon your wit and wisdom—our Harry Potter Trivia Quiz awaits you! Do you have the knowledge to claim the title of Master Witch or Wizard? Take the challenge now!

1) What is the name of Harry Potter's pet owl?

2) Which creature can transform into a person's worst fear?

3) What are the dying words of Severus Snape in both the book and the film "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows"?

4) In the "Order of the Phoenix," who is NOT a member of the original Order of the Phoenix shown in the old photograph that Moody shows Harry?

5) What does the incantation "Obliviate" do?

6) Who is the Half-Blood Prince?

7) Who originally owned the Elder Wand before Dumbledore won it?

8) What potion is known as "Liquid Luck"?

9) What was the last Horcrux to be destroyed?

10) Which character is killed by Bellatrix Lestrange in the Battle of Hogwarts?

11) What animal represents Hufflepuff house?

12) What is the name of the goblin-made object that is supposed to bring its owner prosperity, but also brings them into conflict with goblins?

13) What specific type of dragon does Harry face during the Triwizard Tournament?

14) What creature is Aragog?

15) What is the core ingredient of the wand owned by Harry Potter?

16) What is the effect of the Cheering Charm?

17) What is the name of the goblin who helps Harry, Ron, and Hermione break into Gringotts?

18) What is the name of the book Hermione gives to Harry before his first ever Quidditch match?

19) Who was the Peverell brother that owned the invisibility cloak?

20) Who teaches Herbology at Hogwarts?

21) What is Dumbledore's full name?

22) Which potion did Hermione brew in her second year that allowed her, Ron, and Harry to assume the identities of Slytherins?

23) In which Harry Potter book does Harry first speak Parseltongue?

24) What is the name of the train that takes students to Hogwarts?

25) What form does Hermione Granger's Patronus take?

26) What does the Mirror of Erised show?

27) Which object is NOT one of the Deathly Hallows?

28) Which spell is used to open the Marauder's Map?

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About Mohandas Alva

Mohandas is very passionate about deciphering the nature of language and its role as a sole medium of storytelling in literature. His interests sometimes digress from literature to philosophy and the sciences but eventually, the art and craft of narrating a significant story never fail to thrill him.

About the Book

The Harry Potter section of Book Analysis analyzes and explorers the Harry Potter series. The characters, names, terminology, and all related indicia are trademarks of Warner Bros ©. The content on Book Analysis was created by Harry Potter fans, with the aim of providing a thorough in-depth analysis and commentary to complement and provide an additional perspective to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

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HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE

From the harry potter series , vol. 1.

by J.K. Rowling ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 1, 1998

It’s slanted toward action-oriented readers, who will find that Briticisms meld with all the other wonders of magic school.

In a rousing first novel, already an award-winner in England, Harry is just a baby when his magical parents are done in by Voldemort, a wizard so dastardly other wizards are scared to mention his name.

So Harry is brought up by his mean Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia Dursley, and picked on by his horrid cousin Dudley. He knows nothing about his magical birthright until ten years later, when he learns he’s to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Hogwarts is a lot like English boarding school, except that instead of classes in math and grammar, the curriculum features courses in Transfiguration, Herbology, and Defense Against the Dark Arts. Harry becomes the star player of Quidditch, a sort of mid-air ball game. With the help of his new friends Ron and Hermione, Harry solves a mystery involving a sorcerer’s stone that ultimately takes him to the evil Voldemort. This hugely enjoyable fantasy is filled with imaginative details, from oddly flavored jelly beans to dragons’ eggs hatched on the hearth.

Pub Date: Sept. 1, 1998

ISBN: 978-0-590-35340-3

Page Count: 309

Publisher: Levine/Scholastic

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1998

CHILDREN'S SCIENCE FICTION & FANTASY

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SEEN & HEARD

THE SCHOOL FOR GOOD AND EVIL

From the school for good and evil series , vol. 1.

by Soman Chainani ; illustrated by Iacopo Bruno ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 14, 2013

Rich and strange (and kitted out with an eye-catching cover), but stronger in the set pieces than the internal logic.

Chainani works an elaborate sea change akin to Gregory Maguire’s Wicked (1995), though he leaves the waters muddied.

Every four years, two children, one regarded as particularly nice and the other particularly nasty, are snatched from the village of Gavaldon by the shadowy School Master to attend the divided titular school. Those who survive to graduate become major or minor characters in fairy tales. When it happens to sweet, Disney princess–like Sophie and  her friend Agatha, plain of features, sour of disposition and low of self-esteem, they are both horrified to discover that they’ve been dropped not where they expect but at Evil and at Good respectively. Gradually—too gradually, as the author strings out hundreds of pages of Hogwarts-style pranks, classroom mishaps and competitions both academic and romantic—it becomes clear that the placement wasn’t a mistake at all. Growing into their true natures amid revelations and marked physical changes, the two spark escalating rivalry between the wings of the school. This leads up to a vicious climactic fight that sees Good and Evil repeatedly switching sides. At this point, readers are likely to feel suddenly left behind, as, thanks to summary deus ex machina resolutions, everything turns out swell(ish).

Pub Date: May 14, 2013

ISBN: 978-0-06-210489-2

Page Count: 496

Publisher: Harper/HarperCollins

Review Posted Online: Feb. 12, 2013

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 2013

CHILDREN'S SCIENCE FICTION & FANTASY | CHILDREN'S SOCIAL THEMES

by Soman Chainani ; illustrated by Iacopo Bruno

More by Soman Chainani

by Soman Chainani ; illustrated by RaidesArt

by Soman Chainani ; illustrated by Julia Iredale

BOOK TO SCREEN

THE LAST EVER AFTER

From the school for good and evil series , vol. 3.

by Soman Chainani ; illustrated by Iacopo Bruno ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 21, 2015

Ultimately more than a little full of itself, but well-stocked with big themes, inventively spun fairy-tale tropes, and...

Good has won every fairy-tale contest with Evil for centuries, but a dark sorcerer’s scheme to turn the tables comes to fruition in this ponderous closer.

Broadening conflict swirls around frenemies Agatha and Sophie as the latter joins rejuvenated School Master Rafal, who has dispatched an army of villains from Capt. Hook to various evil stepmothers to take stabs (literally) at changing the ends of their stories. Meanwhile, amid a general slaughter of dwarves and billy goats, Agatha and her rigid but educable true love, Tedros, flee for protection to the League of Thirteen. This turns out to be a company of geriatric versions of characters, from Hansel and Gretel (in wheelchairs) to fat and shrewish Cinderella, led by an enigmatic Merlin. As the tale moves slowly toward climactic battles and choices, Chainani further lightens the load by stuffing it with memes ranging from a magic ring that must be destroyed and a “maleficent” gown for Sophie to this oddly familiar line: “Of all the tales in all the kingdoms in all the Woods, you had to walk into mine.” Rafal’s plan turns out to be an attempt to prove that love can be twisted into an instrument of Evil. Though the proposition eventually founders on the twin rocks of true friendship and family ties, talk of “balance” in the aftermath at least promises to give Evil a fighting chance in future fairy tales. Bruno’s polished vignettes at each chapter’s head and elsewhere add sophisticated visual notes.

Pub Date: July 21, 2015

ISBN: 978-0-06-210495-3

Page Count: 672

Review Posted Online: June 25, 2015

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muddledmumbles

Book review: the harry potter series by j.k. rowling.

Over the last month or so I have re-read the entire Harry Potter book series by J.K. Rowling . Something I haven’t done since I was a child. It reminded me why I feel in love with reading, a throwback to my childhood. A must read for everyone everywhere.

The series consists of seven books. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone is the first book in the series. I gave it 5 stars. From the first chapter you are drawn into this fantastic world and that you just want to be part of. An adventure from the beginning to the very end. The friendship between Harry, Ron and Hermione is also developed so naturally. I also love how much more assertive Harry is compared to the films.

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is the second book in the series. I was surprised how much I enjoyed this book as it is my least favorite film in the series; I gave it 3 stars. There is so much cut out of the film compared to the book. I also love the introduction of Tom Riddle . Every villain needs a beginning.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban was a 4-star read. I only marked it down as it did drag a tiny bit. Remus Lupin and Sirius Black are brilliant additions to the world. They provide a new layer of History to the world. They add back story and a new list of emotions for Harry to deal with.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is a 5-star read. J.K. Rowling really stepped up her game with the introduction of the Triwizard Tournament ; I was hooked. I really enjoyed how the friendship between Harry and Ron was tested and how the relationship between Hermione and Harry blossomed. You really felt that they were friends through thick and thin. This book contained so much in its pages and all of it seemed relevant. The ending was so shocking, I couldn’t wait to pick up the next edition in the series.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix was really long. The narrative was interesting, but I found it drawn out in parts. I only gave it 3 stars. I may have just be overloaded with info, but I found the climax hard to follow. There were a lot of characters and I felt it difficult to follow each strand of the battle. The ending was heart-breaking, another loss for the boy who has lost so much already.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince was a 4-star read. I loved the expansion of the friendship group into the other houses besides Gryffindor lot. I felt in this book you got a real sense that the characters had matured. The twist and turns still surprised me after all these years. The twist at the end made me tear up. A twist that I didn’t see coming.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was a fantastic end to the series. A 4-star read, I only marked it down as I felt that it was a slow start to the action. This book had more twists and turns than a roller coaster. It incorporated so much and made a call back to each and every book in the series. I felt I didn’t fully appreciate this book the first time I read it. The characters throughout the series all play such critical roles both big and small.

J.K. Rowling has created something amazing with this series. Stories that don’t age and can be passed down. There is no age limit, they can be enjoyed by young and old. I think I’ll make it an annual read. I think I might even treat myself to the illustrated version for my next excursion into the fantastic wizarding world of Harry Potter .

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Harry potter and the chamber of secrets: harry potter, book 2, common sense media reviewers.

Potter sequel is a creature-packed page-turner.

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Author J.K. Rowling borrows from many established

Full of positive messages about the power of love,

Main characters Harry, Ron, and Hermione, models o

There's a little diversity at Hogwarts. Lee Jordan

Kids are in peril often, but at the hand of fantas

A mention that Percy Weasley's younger sister Ginn

Hermione is called a "mudblood" by Draco, an offen

Parents need to know that Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is the second book in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series about an orphan boy at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. If you're flying through the Potter books faster than a Quidditch seeker because kids have been begging, note that after…

Educational Value

Author J.K. Rowling borrows from many established stories and myths to piece together her magical world. Kids can look up more about basilisks, giant spiders, flying brooms, magic wands, etc., compare the author's take with other interpretations, and think about how and why she weaves these magical elements and beings into her stories.

Positive Messages

Full of positive messages about the power of love, friendship, and self-sacrifice. Also, about not letting your background dictate who you become. Harry is afraid of his similarities to Voldemort, but Dumbledore reminds him that it's the choices we make that make us who we are. Also, the wizarding world's version of racism and classism is introduced (some pure-blood wizards despise those who are not) and shown as wrong. A flashy professor provides a lesson about fame at any cost.

Positive Role Models

Main characters Harry, Ron, and Hermione, models of dedicated friends, are rewarded for their bravery. They are usually punished for rule-breaking, but also get away with quite a bit, especially when they're trying to solve the mystery of the Chamber of Secrets -- they steal potion ingredients, knock out other students with a sleeping potion, and then impersonate them to get information. It's all in the name of saving other Hogwarts students, though, which of course they do in the end. Dumbledore (Hogwarts' eccentric headmaster) is a wonderful mentor to Harry, showing up with sage advice when needed. Harry shows him loyalty at just the right time and is rewarded with the tools to save the day.

Diverse Representations

There's a little diversity at Hogwarts. Lee Jordan is described as having dreadlocks, and the Indian Patil twins are in Gryffindor house. Some diverse family structures are described: Harry lives with his aunt and uncle and Neville with his grandmother. Harry and Ron bond over growing up with second-hand clothes and wishing they had more money. Ron's insecurity over being from a poorer family comes up a lot. Women have prominent roles at Hogwarts: Professor McGonagall and Professor Sprout are both heads of houses. There are two girls on the Gryffindor quidditch team. There's only one large-size character who isn't a bad guy, and that's Hagrid. Lots of negative language around the size of Dudley and his father and Malfoy's Slytherin friends Crabbe and Goyle.

Did we miss something on diversity? Suggest an update.

Violence & Scariness

Kids are in peril often, but at the hand of fantasy creatures most of the time: giant spiders and an angry tree attack, and a basilisk (giant serpent) has Medusa-like abilities, nearly killing characters and putting them in a rigid, comatose state -- it also chases Harry. Harry falls from his broom and breaks his arm, then bones in his arm are magically and mistakenly removed. A house elf punishes himself by hitting his head repeatedly. In a practice wizards' duel, a (small) snake threatens a student. A spell backfires and Ron coughs up slugs. Two main characters almost die in the book's climax. Two fathers have a fistfight. A party for ghosts makes light of many ghosts who had been beheaded and can take off their heads for sport. Mentions of Harry's parents dying in a magical attack when he was a baby. Harry is routinely treated poorly and threatened by his aunt and uncle.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Sex, Romance & Nudity

A mention that Percy Weasley's younger sister Ginny catches him kissing his girlfriend.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

Hermione is called a "mudblood" by Draco, an offensive term in the Potter world meaning "dirty blood," for being part wizard and part muggle.

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Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is the second book in J.K. Rowling' s Harry Potter series about an orphan boy at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. If you're flying through the Potter books faster than a Quidditch seeker because kids have been begging, note that after Book 2, the series gets more complex and scarier, and a break between Book 2 and Book 3 may be warranted, especially if you're doing a read-aloud party with siblings of different ages. Harry Potter Age-by-Age Guide as well as details in individual reviews will help you decide. Also of note: this one is tough on kids who are afraid of monsters like giant snakes and spiders. Both attack school kids in tense scenes. Some kids (and a cat) end up in a coma-like state, and two students nearly die in the book's climax. There are also a lot of ghosts, but they are often more silly than scary. Something not in the movie (that otherwise sticks very close to the source material) is Nearly Headless Nick's Deathday Party, where decapitated ghosts throw their heads around for sport. Main characters Harry, Ron, and Hermione are rewarded for their bravery, but after quite a bit of rule breaking. The story is full of positive messages about friendship and that our choices show what we truly are more than our abilities and backgrounds. This book is also available in an illustrated edition with art by Jim Kay.

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• Parents say (32)
• Kids say (139)

Based on 32 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS, Harry's summer at his aunt and uncle's house is bad enough when a house elf named Dobby shows up. Dobby warns Harry not to return to Hogwarts, that something dangerous is going to happen, and when Harry won't listen, Dobby performs a hover charm and dumps Aunt Petunia's prize pudding on the floor in the middle of a dinner party. Harry doesn't know what's worse: the threatening owls from the Ministry of Magic accusing him of performing underage magic or getting locked in his room with bars on the windows. When his best friend Ron Weasley and his brothers embark on a midnight rescue in Mr. Weasley's enchanted flying car, Harry's summer is saved. Then September 1 arrives. Ron and Harry are in a panic because they can't get through to Platform 9 ¾ to catch the Hogwarts Express. They decide the only way to make it on time is to chase the train in the flying car. When they get to Hogwarts, their not-so-brilliant plan lands them in serious trouble, but it's nothing compared with the trouble brewing at school. A message appears on a castle wall in blood proclaiming that "The Chamber of Secrets Has Been Opened," and students wandering the corridors alone are ending up in mysterious coma-like states. It's no wonder Dobby didn't want Harry to return to school.

Is It Any Good?

While this sequel doesn't have the impact of the Potter origin story, it's an exciting creature feature with an engrossing mystery to solve. Many, especially older readers, consider this the lesser of the Potter books, but for younger readers, this is an ideal way to ramp up for the rest of the series. The fear is of external forces -- monsters -- not the less tangible, like how the Dementors in Book 3 embody fear itself. And the mystery builds in a more straightforward manner with steps Harry, Ron, and Hermione take to uncover clues: brewing a potion, playing the spy, and breaking all kinds of school rules in the process as they do.

All that said, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets preps young fantasy fans to take on the meatier stories to come. The monsters sure are scary, and the scenes in the Forbidden Forest and the Chamber of Secrets are thrilling. What was Hagrid thinking telling Harry and Ron to "follow the spiders"? And as for the mystery, efforts to solve it may be methodical but the Chamber of Secrets has quite a few secrets to reveal -- some that only come to light in Book 6. Mouths will be hanging open in that climactic moment when the Heir of Slytherin is revealed at last and appetites will be whetted for more Potter mystery and excitement to come.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about the big scary monsters in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. Are you afraid of monsters? Does reading about them make you more afraid? Ron really hates spiders. How does he deal with his fear? What does it say that someone with such a fear is still in Gryffindor, the house for the bravest witches and wizards?

Kids just getting into the series will find a whole world of Harry Potter available to them, from Chocolate Frogs for sale at the grocery store to theme parks. A diehard Potter fan can spend a lot of money in their lifetime on merchandise and experiences. Do you think this is worth your money? Are there other ways you can celebrate books you love without raiding your piggie bank?

Will you read more of the series? Are you ready for the stories to get darker and more complex? Will you read some other books in between or plow right through as some kids do?

Book Details

• Author : J. K. Rowling
• Illustrator : Mary Grandpre
• Genre : Fantasy
• Topics : Magic and Fantasy , Adventures , Brothers and Sisters , Cats, Dogs, and Mice , Friendship , Monsters, Ghosts, and Vampires
• Character Strengths : Courage , Teamwork
• Book type : Fiction
• Publisher : Scholastic Inc.
• Publication date : June 20, 1999
• Number of pages : 341
• Available on : Paperback, Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
• Award : ALA Best and Notable Books
• Last updated : July 14, 2023

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• Teach This Fantastic Ks2 Harry Potter Topic Thats Full Of Great Writing Act

Harry Potter KS2 activities – Philosopher’s Stone cross-curricular ideas

PDF of cross-curricular activity ideas

English , History , Science

If you’re looking for a magical range of Harry Potter KS2 activities, we’ve got just the ticket….

The popularity of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone makes it a joy to work with. This book gives you opportunities you wouldn’t have with other texts.

Children who know the book will be keen to revisit it. And the well-paced and absorbing narrative will soon draw in those that don’t. “I have yet to find a child who can put it down,” said one reviewer, following publication in 1997.

The magic is still at work more than two decades later. Children will want to talk about Harry’s wizarding world and their own experiences there as readers. Expect strong feelings about the characters – Harry and his friends seem real and children like to treat them as such.

Children love to act out scenes from Harry Potter. This makes the book a natural and rewarding starting point for cross-curricular activities.

Many artists have visualised Harry’s world. This includes Thomas Taylor, Jonny Duddle and wood engraver Andrew Davidson (not to mention those who worked on the films). But it’s Greenaway medal winning Jim Kay’s hardback version we suggest you use for these activities…

Harry Potter KS2 activities

Invent fantastic beasts, explore the history of magic and write letters from Charlie Weasley in this creative set of lesson activities from Carey Fluker Hunt.

There’s plenty of ideas for discussion too, such as considering what it means to ‘belong’, and art ties in with literacy when children create a collage of themselves wearing a sorting hat and invent their own Hogwarts House.

Children will even be inspired to write their own poems after a ‘flying’ session in the classroom.

Carey Fluker Hunt is creative projects manager at Seven Stories , the Centre for Children’s Books in Newcastle upon Tyne. Browse more ideas for teaching with Harry Potter .

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Harry Potter discussion questions

A set of discussion questions based on the Harry Potter series by J K Rowling. 

There are 11 question cards in this set and one blank card for children to fill in with their own question for discussion. The cards could be photocopied, cut up and handed to groups or pairs, or picked at random for a whole class discussion. They could also be used as a basis for a piece of writing. 

Do children relate most to Harry? To Ron? To Hermione? To Hagrid? Or are they a Dumbledore? Would the sorting hat send them to Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff? Why? Which of the Hogwarts school subjects would they like to study and why?

Designed to improve comprehension skills and get children thinking about the characters, plots and themes in the Harry Potter books and how they relate to their own lives, these questions are perfect for a KS2 guided reading session. 

Sample questions from the resource:

If you could have a conversation with any character from the Harry Potter series, who would it be and what would you ask them?

If you could have any magical power, what would it be and how would you use it?

What do you think you would see reflected in the mirror of Erised?

How do the friendships in the Harry Potter series compare to the friendships in your own life?

Which scene or chapter from the Harry Potter books has stuck with you most and why?

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• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets...

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Book 2

In this sequel to HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE, we find Harry spending the summer vacation with his awful relatives, the Dursleys, following his first year at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The Dursleys are so fearful of Harry's growing magic talents that they lock his school books and wand away in a closet and even lock Harry in his tiny bedroom. Harry worries he'll never get back to Hogwarts and his friends, until he's rescued by his best buddy, Ron Weasley, who arrives in a flying car to take Harry away. 

The second year at Hogwarts should be smoother sailing, right? Not so. First, Harry receives a strange warning from a house elf named Dobby. Then, when he arrives at Hogwarts Harry must face a vain new professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts, a spirit named Moaning Myrtle who haunts the girls' bathroom, and his old enemies, Malfoy and Snape. And, even more troublesome this year, some evil force is turning Muggle-born students (those born to humans, without magical blood, including Harry's pal Hermione) to stone. Who could be doing such a thing? 

While Harry and Ron try to unravel the mystery of petrification, they discover information about the Chamber of Secrets, a hidden room in Hogwarts that is rumored to be home to a horrible monster. Old legends, clues, and research eventually lead Harry and Ron to the Chamber of Secrets for a showdown with evil like they've never seen before. And Harry must triumph over the Dark forces in order to save Ginny Weasley, Ron's younger sister (now a first year at Hogwarts), who has been taken over by a nasty wizard. See if he succeeds in this rollicking, spine-tingling adventure. You're sure to love all the fast-moving action, magic and fun in every chapter. 

Reviewed by Shannon Maughan on August 15, 2000

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Book 2 by J. K. Rowling

• Publication Date: June 26, 2018
• Genres: Fantasy
• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books
• ISBN-10: 1338299158
• ISBN-13: 9781338299151

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Harry Potter film review

Have you seen any of the Harry Potter films? Practise your reading in English with this film review.

Do the preparation exercise first. Then read the text and do the other exercises.

Preparation

Film review: the harry potter film series.

The Harry Potter film series is famous all over the world and is loved by children, teenagers and adults. It's based on the books by JK Rowling. The first film, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone , was released in 2001. The whole series consists of eight fantasy films. In each film the main character, Harry, is played by Daniel Radcliffe.

The story begins when 11-year-old orphan Harry discovers that his parents were wizards and he starts his education in magic at Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. There he makes two close friends, Ron and Hermione, who share his adventures.

Each film ends dramatically, often with a battle between Harry and his worst enemy, the evil wizard Lord Voldemort.

The characters

As well as Harry, Ron and Hermione, there's a huge variety of characters, including students, professors, dark wizards, ghosts and fantasy creatures. Non-magic people are called Muggles. The cast is excellent. The acting's outstanding, and even the strangest of characters are totally believable.

The setting

The films are mainly set in Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, which is in an ancient castle. There are moving staircases, portraits which can talk and move, and a dark forest where strange and dangerous creatures live.

The special effects

The special effects are amazing and make magic seem completely possible! The wizards' favourite sport, Quidditch, is played on broomsticks. Different techniques were used to create the effects that make the actors look as if they're flying.

Critic's opinion

The films are imaginative, funny, frightening and, of course, magical! What makes them so successful is that they combine action, fantasy and friendship.

If you like adventure and magic, you'll love the Harry Potter films!

Do you like the Harry Potter films? What other films do you like? Tell us about them!

I am a fan of Harry Potter. My favorite part is 6.

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Harry Potter is a great movie

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Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by JK Rowling - review

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is the third instalment in the Harry Potter series, and is by the incomparable JK Rowling. The Harry Potter series are described as 'children books', however, in my opinion, whether you're twelve or twenty two, I highly recommend them!!

Now after a long summer (and some aunt abusing antics), Harry is back at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, with his trusty best friends: Ron and Hermione. Yet, secret and mysterious things are happening in the wizarding world, and Harry is not safe from the dark and dangerous people at large. Who is the infamous Sirius Black, who escaped from the notorious wizard prison: Azkaban? And what could the fugitive Black possibly want with Harry? Harry, Ron and Hermione, spend another magical year at Hogwarts, where Harry learns far more about his past then he could have expected.

As always with Rowling's books, I loved Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban! JK Rowling's words have a curious habit of coming to life, and her characters are funny, and realistic. One of the greatest things about Harry Potter, is that they improve with each book, and you can clearly glimpse the clever, intricate plot Rowling has wove, with cleverly placed foreshadowing and seemingly innocent hints.

This book is undoubtedly darker than the previous ones, as Harry learns more and more about the sinister forces that threaten the wizarding world. The characters begin to get more developed and more complex, and an awful lot more interesting. I must warn you though, that once you begin, you'll find it almost impossible to stop! Once you finish, you'll be skimming through it again, finding seemingly obvious clues, thinking 'How did I miss that?!'. If that wasn't enough to get you interested, the Harry Potter covers have recently been redesigned, and they are even more stunning than ever! The Prisoner of Azkaban cover is by far my favourite: Harry heroically brandishing a wand, from which a silver stag has erupted! To no one's surprise, I give Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban 5/5 stars!

Buy this book at the Guardian Bookshop .

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Harry Potter Diagon Alley Collectible Set Cards – October 3, 2023

Purchase options and add-ons.

• Specifications: Includes a host of Diagon Alley items as seen in the Harry Potter films, with Hagrid’s umbrella wand pen, a cuddly pygmy puff plush, Harry’s school supply checklist, reusable vinyl stickers of Diagon Alley shop signs, a Diagon Alley map, and Daily Prophet sheets; Please note" paper items are located beneath the interior box tray
• Keepsake Box with “Moving” Image: These deluxe items are packaged in a sturdy keepsake box (8 x 10 x 2-1/2 inches) with a lenticular illustration on the cover that shows the iconic brick entrance of Diagon Alley and reveals an image of Harry, Hagrid, and the Alley when tilted
• Guidebook Included: 128-page 5 x 7 inch guidebook to Diagon Alley featuring information about the shops, items, characters, and establishments found in the Alley, along with full-color images from the movies
• Perfect Present: This deluxe kit is a perfect gift or self-purchase for Harry Potter fans
• Officially Licensed: Authentic Harry Potter collectible
• Print length 128 pages
• Language English
• Publisher Running Press Adult
• Publication date October 3, 2023
• Dimensions 8 x 3.15 x 10 inches
• ISBN-10 0762483474
• ISBN-13 978-0762483471
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• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Running Press Adult (October 3, 2023)
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• Cards ‏ : ‎ 128 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0762483474
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0762483471
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.98 pounds
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8 x 3.15 x 10 inches
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The Later Harry Potter Movies Get This Part of the Books All Wrong

The Harry Potter movies get a lot right, just not this.

The Big Picture

• The Harry Potter novels used detailed spells to create a unique fantasy world, but the films failed to capture the same level of detail.
• The spells used in the books had important meanings and contributed to character development, but this was lost in the films.
• The later Harry Potter films had impressive action sequences but lacked specificity, resulting in a loss of individual fighting styles and becoming empty spectacles.

The legacy of the Harry Potter novel series and the film franchise that inspired it are very different. While the Harry Potter books have become overshadowed by the transphobic comments of their author, J.K. Rowling , the Wizarding World films served as an appropriate coming-of-age story for many young fans who grew up on the adventures of Daniel Radcliffe , Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson . Even so, the films do fall short when it comes to the use of spells and magic .

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2

Harry, Ron, and Hermione search for Voldemort's remaining Horcruxes in their effort to destroy the Dark Lord as the final battle rages on at Hogwarts.

Why Spells Are So Important in Harry Potter

In the Harry Potter novels, each spell, charm, and curse is explained in implicit detail. Their descriptions are important parts of the world-building that helped establish Harry Potter's unique place amongst fantasy sagas. In the books, characters can't simply just wave their wands and expect to see a result; they need to put effort into channeling a specific phrase to produce the desired effect. Many of the most entertaining scenes in the first few novels come from Harry and his friends trying to master spells that are considered challenging. Learning how Harry and the students of Hogwarts develop their skills makes the novels feel like coming-of-age stories and not just fantasy adventures.

This attention to detail when it comes to specific spells is also a hallmark in the first few films. One of the most important scenes in 2002’s Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is when Harry and Draco Malfoy ( Tom Felton ) are learning how to duel from their new Defense Against the Dark Arts instructor , Gilderoy Lockhart ( Sir Kenneth Branagh ). Lockhart teaches Harry how to use the disarming spell “Expelliarmus.” Although Harry is more interested in wounding Malfoy than disarming him, the “Expelliarmus” spell comes to his advantage more than a few times within the series.

Harry Potter Wasn't in One of the Movies’ Bravest Moments

“Expelliarmus” is the same spell that Draco uses to disarm Albus Dumbledore in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince . It’s important to know that Draco is the one to disarm Albus Dumbledore (the late great Michael Gambon ) , and not Severus Snape ( Alan Rickman ) . Since Dumbledore possesses “The Elder Wand,” ownership of the seemingly undefeatable wand passes to Malfoy; it in turn passes to Harry when he successfully disarms Malfoy in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows- Part 1 . The “Expelliarmus” spell may be harmless, but it changes the course of Harry Potter mythology due to the nature of wand ownership.

There’s also a tremendous amount of time in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire spent on defining the three “Unforgivable curses.” The Cruciatus Curse (“Crucio”) generates intolerable pain for its victim, the Imperius Curse gives a user power over their victim’s actions (“Imperio”), and the Killing Curse (“Avada Kedavra”) does exactly what it suggests. Harry’s latest Defense Against the Dark Arts Teacher, Mad-Eye Moody ( Brendan Gleeson ), explains exactly what these curses do, and why they are considered to be “unforgivable” by most witches and wizards.

Beyond being a cool piece of trivia for Harry Potter experts, the meaning of these spells provides important pieces of backstory . It’s important that as an infant, Harry is the only wizard to survive the Killing Curse; this is why he is known as “The Boy Who Lived.” It’s also mentioned that Bellatrix Lestrange ( Helena Bonham Carter ) forced several victims to go insane because of her repeated use of the Cruciatus Curse. Knowing that Bellatrix chose to torture, and not simply kill her victims, is why she is one of the better-written villains in the Harry Potter saga .

The Later Harry Potter Movies Get the Magic All Wrong

The early Harry Potter films had the benefit of having time to spend on detailing each spell and what they meant. Unfortunately, this changed once director David Yates took over the franchise with his adaptation of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix . The films got denser and had to introduce more characters, leading to bigger action sequences with many more flashing lights and spells. While Yates created a lot of impressive action sequences, it became impossible to determine which spells were being uttered .

In The Goblet of Fire , it’s important that Harry uses the “Expelliarmus” spell to ward off Voldemort ( Ralph Fiennes ) after surviving the Triwizard tournament . While neither of the spells produces the desired effect because Harry is able to escape back to Hogwarts, both Harry and Voldemort use the same spells when they reunite for their final duel. While the books make it clear that it’s Voldemort’s rebounded killing curse that costs him his life , Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 features the two simply screaming at each other as they cast seemingly indistinguishable flashes of light.

The spells that Harry and Voldemort use say something about them as characters. Voldemort is so intent on killing that he neglects to give himself a defense, and Harry is ultimately unwilling to use one of the “Unforgivable Curses.” Although Harry is tempted to use the Cruciatus Curse a few times in the previous films as he questions his own heroism, he ultimately matures and chooses to leave these darker attributes behind him.

It became harder to appreciate each character’s individual fighting style without knowing which spells they were using. Order of the Phoenix ends with a show-stopping magical duel between Dumbledore and Voldemort, but it's impossible to determine what the two wizards are saying. Instead of feeling like the ultimate face-off between good and evil in the Harry Potter universe, the battle just feels like an empty bit of spectacle .

David Yates’ Harry Potter films certainly did not lack spectacle, but they may be an example of too much of a good thing. The Star Wars franchise had its “lightsaber fatigue,” and in turn, the Harry Potter universe has its “magic fatigue.” The later sequels lacked the specificity that had made the early Harry Potter films feel so unique.

All the Harry Potter films are available to stream on Max in the U.S.

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