Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone Essay

First published in England in 1997 as chevvy Potter and the Philosophers scar, the phonograph record quickly became wildly popular. The close year saw its publication in the United States, this time look up Harry Potter and the geniuss Stone, receiving critical acclaim and several(prenominal) awards. I would rate this contain 9 on a weighing machine of 10. Both the Carnegie Medal and the Newberry Medal awards consider plot and character development when judging books. Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone clearly meets those criteria. As the novel unfolds, the lecturer discovers the information ab issue the wizarding world on with Harry.Characters grow and become more than flat stereotypes Hermiones change from commanding know-it- all to genuine friend and partner-in-crime is just one example. The dialogue in the midst of characters is believable and Harrys inner thoughts serve as set ahead exposition without slowing down the achievement. The novel is long in get st arted, which makes sense because the author has to set up a story that entrust continue over six more books. New readers just wee to make sure they keep reading and not quit out of boredom. The illustrations at the beginning of each chapter are good for prompting the readers imagination.I would boast liked to have seen a some more scenes with illustrations, however. Among them would be a drawing of the Sorting Hat, perhaps as it sat on Harrys head an illustration of the gone unicorn in the forest with the frightening creature drinking the blood and a picture of at least one of the scenes of the children getting past the spells guarding the stone. The cheat game would have made an interesting illustration. Besides Mary Grandpre, I think Ludwig Bemelmans, who wrote and illustrated the Madeline books, would have done a good job with Harry Potter.His style of pen and ink drawings are simple yet engage a lot of detail and would fit the tone of J. K. Rowlings books. The depression Harry Potter book as well as all the subsequent books were huge best-sellers. In fact, it was this series that prompted the New York Times to cause a separate list for childrens books since Harry Potter monopolized quadruplet on the existing top-ten list. But beyond popularity, Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone is a classic childrens book because of its story.The book incorporates a common theme of good vs.evil with humor, fast-paced action and relatable characters. Fantasy and magic also resonate with children, and Rowlings books will sure enough join those of C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkein as favorites for generations of children. This book makes reference to numerous opposite works. Dumbledore is a member of the Order of Merlin, an allusion to the King Arthur myth. Goblins and trolls populate the folk and fairy tales of numerous cultures. The vampire that Professor Quirrell comes from Dracula and werewolves go all the way prat to Ovid.Fluffy, the three-headed dog is ba sed upon Cerberus in Greek mythology. The mirror of Erised is exchangeable to the magic mirror in Snow White or the nominal looking-glass that Alice stumbles through. Finally, of course, is the medieval legend of the philosophers stone and the French alchemist, Nicolas Flamel. Although the U. S. publisher changed the name of the book thinking that American readers would be unfamiliar with the philosophers stone, the book kept nearly of its English-ness.Foremost is the concept of boarding school, which is much less(prenominal) common in the U.S. Along with that, Hogwarts has houses, prefects and Head Boys, all similar to Eton College and other British public schools. The robes that Harry and his friends wear are like the robes haggard at Oxford and Cambridge. But what makes Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone quintessentially British is the lack of teenage drama found in most American books for children and young adults. Harry and his friends face challenges from , but they never have to deal with underage drinking, teen pregnancy, drugs or gangs.