Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Orphaned as a baby, Harry Potter has spent 11 awful years living with his mean aunt, uncle, and cousin Dudley. But everything changes for Harry when an owl delivers a mysterious letter inviting him to attend a school for wizards. At this special school, Harry finds friends, aerial sports, and magic in everything from classes to meals, as well as a great destiny that's been waiting for him...if Harry can survive the encounter.

from bn.com

Nathan says 5 stars...
So, Beth and I are embarking on a journey to reread and review the Harry Potter novels before the premiere of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince in July. I realize I'm reviewing something that is viewed as sacred in many people's eyes, which is a little scary. Here I go though. Everyone knows about Harry, so I find it too obvious to elaborate on how lovable and wonderful the central characters in the novel are. Rowling does such a great job making her audience feel for her characters, and we certainly do hold a pity/hope for Harry. As we all know, Harry makes it to Hogwarts where we meet the rest of the crew whose stories we will learn over the next six volumes of an absolutely revolutionary series. The story in Sorcerer's Stone is fast-paced, but as a whole the book functions as an introduction to the rest of the series. It serves as a crash course in the world of wizardry, and it does very admirably. The book has a good plot, though not one that is revolutionary. Enjoyment is the aim here, and it works. This book burns through the reader's veins, leaving them gasping for more. There isn't much to say beyond the fact that this book started a movement in children's and YA literature. It made reading cool and accessible. This is the ember that lit millions of fires-fires that burn with a passion for reading. All I can really say is - get lit.