Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

Say you've spent the first 10 years of your life sleeping under the stairs of a family who loathes you. Then, in an absurd, magical twist of fate you find yourself surrounded by wizards, a caged snowy owl, a phoenix-feather wand and jellybeans that come in every flavour, including strawberry, curry, grass and sardine. Not only that, but you discover that you are a wizard yourself! This is exactly what happens to young Harry Potter in J K Rowling's enchanting, funny debut novel, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. In the non-magical human world--the world of "Muggles"--Harry is a nobody, treated like dirt by the aunt and uncle who begrudgingly inherited him when his parents were killed by the evil Voldemort. But in the world of wizards, small, skinny Harry is renowned as a survivor of the wizard who tried to kill him. He is left only with a lightning-bolt scar on his forehead, curiously refined sensibilities and a host of mysterious powers to remind him that he's quite, yes, altogether different from his aunt, uncle, and spoilt, pig-like cousin Dudley.

A mysterious letter, delivered by the friendly giant Hagrid, wrenches Harry from his dreary, Muggle-ridden existence: "We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry". Of course, Uncle Vernon yells most unpleasantly, "I AM NOT PAYING FOR SOME CRACKPOT OLD FOOL TO TEACH HIM MAGIC TRICKS!" Soon enough, however, Harry finds himself at Hogwarts with his owl Hedwig ... and that's where the real adventure--humorous, haunting, and suspenseful--begins.

This magical, gripping, brilliant book--a future classic to be sure--will leave children clamouring for a sequel. (Ages 8-13) --Karin Snelson

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JUST BRILLIANT! - Rated
I actually am a massive harry potter fan and read this book years ago - i accidentally come across this been reviewed and reading the other review about reading cs lewis, lord of the rings etc what a load of rubbish - I have read most of the books that author suggested and they do not compare in one little bit to harry potter - it IS a childrens book but is also fantastic for adults to read and i think people forget that when they decide to slag off harry potter - leave him alone hes fab - its nice to have some magic in the world take us away from boring everyday life!

Potter mad - Rated
looking at some of the reviews on here, i think a lot of people are trying to rebel against the now norm of loving the harry potter series. Yes, the first book is quite young, but you gotta take it for what it is, a childs book! i HAVE read most of the other books people are recommending instead of Potter and enjoyed them in their turn and it is possible to love Potter as well as Frodo (for instance)!

Would be ok as an excuse if there wasn't so much better fantasy writing out there - Rated
If you are not normally a fantasy reader, or you would not describe yourself as an imaginitive / intuitive type, you will enjoy these books. These books are essentially a 1980's tv show or sitcom (Grange Hill) in a fantasy setting.

The thing about these books is that they are essentially derivative from much better quality works. If you have discovered these books, loved them, but have not read any books in the list below, I suggest you read the books in the list instead. Life is short, and while pulp fiction might be ok for a no-stress holiday brain vacation, you can do so much better.

Try - Lord of the Rings (avoid the films), The Hobbit, CS Lewis (not just The Lion, the Witch & the Waldrobe, which is one of the weaker texts), the Moomins, Alice in Wonderland, The Worm Ouroboros, Homer's Iliad & Oddessy.

If you want something lighter, try Michael Moorcock or some of the "core" Dragonlance texts (not the million and one spinoffs). If you want something amusing, try Terry Pratchett. There is really so much more out there to make you think.

classic - Rated
This book will be read over and over again for generations and for many years to come brilliant.

Rubbish - Rated
How can one account for the success of Harry Potter? The writing is spectacularly turgid. The imagination, in the strict sense of the word, is non-existent. The storylines are slackly constructed and deeply uninteresting. The overall moral framework of Potter's world is badly thought out and ill examined. The whole lot is nothing more than a sorry half digested mishmash of worn out fairy stories. A truly tenth rate oeuvre - avoid at all costs.