Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone - J.K. Rowling

I had several amazing gifts for my 21st birthday, but none kept me entertained so long as this little gem! I recieved the boxed set of the Harry Potter books from my friend, and although this review is technically about the Harry Potter and the Philosopher's stone, I have to recommend that you read them all!

The Philosopher's Stone starts off in a normal house on a normal street. In that house live a family called the Dursley's. Mr. and Mrs. Dursley live there with their beloved son Dudley and an impostor called Harry who lives under the stairs amongst the spiders. Harry is treated badly by the whole family. There is something odd about him and he is ridiculed by everyone he meets.

Harry believes that he lives with the Dursleys because his parents were killed in a car accident when he was just a baby, but little does he know....

The first time Harry realises something strange is going on is when he reaches the age of 11 and a letter arrives addressed to him. He has never had a letter before and is really excited, but in an extreme act of cruelty, Mr. Dursley confiscates the letter. Harry thinks nothing of it until another letter arrives, and another, and another....

Mr. Dursley is trying so hard to get rid of the letters that he decides to take the whole family off to a deserted hut where whoever is sending the letters to Harry will never find them. However, in the middle of the night, an enormous man named Hagrid arrives with a copy of the letter. He brings some amazing news...

Harry isn't just some orphan boy whose parents died in a car crash, oh no, Harry is a wizard. And a very famous wizard at that! He defeated the most evil wizard of all time, a wizard who must not be named! And now Hagrid is going to take Harry away to a special school for wizards called Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

This is just the beginning of the adventure. At Hogwarts, Harry battles with the forces of evil, becomes the star player in his school quidditch team and makes some brilliant friends, and a few enemies aswell!

I'm not going to tell you any more of the story, because I think oyu should read it for yourself, there's nothing worse than a review which spoils the story when you get around to reading it! But what I will say is DON'T BUY THE BOOK WHEN YOU ARE BUSY! I guarantee you won't be able to put it down. And take no notice of people who say it's a childrens book! I don't know anyone who didn't like it, from my 7 year old sister to my 24 year old fiancé to my gran!

Also, you may have heard that the book is quite controversial because of its references to witchcraft. However, in my opinion, there is no problem with giving the book to children. Whilst children do have vivid imaginations, there is nothing in the book which will give them nightmares. They will just find it incredibly exciting. If your kids do have problems with it then blame me, but please don't deprive them of reading it without atleast reading it yourself and making your own judgement.

Go on then, I'll stop waffling and let you go and buy a copy! It took me a week to read all four that are out, so make sure you have the next week free. Enjoy your adventure!