I loved this book. I good book for a family of all ages.
Tools for this page
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
-
Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)
Not age appropriate for kids under 7, age appropriate for kids over 9; suggested age 9. -
Is it any good?
-
Common Sense says
Magical start of bestselling Potter phenomenon.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 9 and Up
The good stuff
What to watch out for
-
Violence:
-
Sex:
-
Language:
-
Consumerism:
-
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
About Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Parents need to know that this thrill-a-minute story, the first in the Harry Potter series, respects kids' intelligence and motivates children to tackle its greater length and complexity, play imaginative games, and try to solve its logical puzzles. It's the lightest in the series, but it still has some scary stuff for sensitive readers: a three-headed dog, an attacking troll, a violent life-size chess board, a hooded figure over a dead and bleeding unicorn, as well as a discussion of how Harry's parents died years ago.
Read our full review by Tara L. Rivera
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about Harry's new magical world and how it compares to the drudgeries he's been enduring at Number 4 Privet Drive. Which elements of the magical world did you like best -- and would you feel right at home as a wizard-in-training? Would you like to take a pet to school every day -- and, if so, which pet would you choose? What's the significance or Harry's scar, and why can't Voldemort touch Harry?
Our Members Say
See all 58 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title on for age 9 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
A good book.
- I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
Good book. Nice start to a brilliant fantasy series.
- I rate this title iffy for age 8 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
a must read
tis book is a good book for kids and young teens to read. but there is some vilonce and the reading and content will probably be to much for 7 year olds and younger. but 8 year olds even though the content is suggestive and it is a little challenging it think they should try reading it. and kids that are 9 and up should definetly read it!!!!!!!
- I rate this title iffy for age 8 and give it
Great, Dark, Mystical and Funny--If your Child is Up for it.
I do hold the belief that J.K Rowling should be ranked right up there with William Shakespeare on the "Measurements of Brilliant Literature" scale. With her tale focusing on a boy whose SCAR is a symbol of wonder, Rowling manages to make her own writing style without making it seem...deranged. She has indeed disproved the old stereotype of "British humor", as each novel--as far as I have read--has more than one hilarious moment in them. Some may seem slightly gross, but appear to be only so in movie format, as the author is polite enough not to go into detail. The book series DOES, however, have a recurring theme of violence, but only when necessary, or when merely to the readers pleasure (because we all wanted Draco to get punched in the face by Hermione. Admit it.) For example, one book features a large snake-like monster (that I wouldn't happen to remember the specific term for at the moment), which is brought down by Harry when he shoves a sword into the roof of its mouth, but again, it never goes into bloody detail. Another concern is that the Defense against the Dark Arts teachers are practically their universe's version of the Red shirts--that makes sense if you watch Star Trek--because they are usually only for the job once, but I do recall that only one died, the other one was fired, and I still haven't finished the third. (Perhaps he quit?) Anyway, the "Harry Potter" series is a fun and unique ride to take with your children without regretting--so saying, if you believe they're ready for EVER SO SLIGHT violence.
Give Recommendations, Get Them, Too!
Become a member and get recommendations from other parents based on your child's age.Tell us your child's age:
Already a member? Log inOur Members Rate It
Ratings at a Glance
| 50% | of parents say it's too violent |
Have you read it? 
For Your Family
Get age-based recommendations for your kids:
Customize based on your child's age
Caroline Knorr recommends:
The Last Olympian: Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 5
for kids age 10
See more from Caroline Kno ...
The Last Olympian: Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 5
for kids age 10
See more from Caroline Kno ...
