by J.K. Rowling
This week I opened a Harry Potter book for the first time in years. The last time I read Harry Potter and the Socerer's Stone was about 6 years ago when my son was seven. I had put him off as long as I dared, and we read it together, in case Quirrel and his little friend might frighten him. Before that, this was the book most often requested in the libraries in which I read books aloud. The year it was published and for many years after, I read this book regularly.
I must say that once the movie came out, the requests began to diminish. I am not sure that many kids are taking the time to read the books at all. They may read one or two, but the whole series is certainly reserved for the reading enthusiast. That is why I am reading it know. My 6th grade book club wanted to read and discuss the books. Enough of the kids had read none of the books that we decided to go back to the beginning. When going to get the cover art I was surprised to see it had changed.
I am looking forward to talking with the kids about the books. I am sure the other novels, if not movies, will come up in the discussion. Harry is a terribly flawed hero and I love pointing that out to kids. It seems to make them believe that they too might have a bit of hero inside.
As expected, the book was great. I had forgotten how much I loved McGonagal, Hagrid and Snape. They are lively characters even in the beginning. It was nice to be reminded of how Hermione found her spot in the trio that would go on to change the wizarding world. Mostly, it was nice to read through this horribly imaginative book.
If your reader hasn't read the series and is up for a bit of fantasy, you can't go wrong here. I would remind you that with every book Harry is a year older and his problems age with him. He begins as an 11 year old. Let that be your guide.
By the way, do any of you find it odd that in three of my bookclub books the name Granger comes up? Mrs. Granger in Frindle, Hermione Granger in Harry Potter and Granger, Guy Montag's friend, in Fahrenheit 451. Weird Huh?
