National Adult Literacy Database

September 8, 2003

This week, we have a story written by Tara Alrutz, from Minden, Ontario. Tara is enrolled in literacy classes at the Haliburton Campus of Sir Sandford Fleming College, about 26 km from where she lives. She did not attend high school, but has returned to the program to upgrade her skills, having developed an interest in Computer technology. To pursue that goal, she will need to attend a post-secondary institution, and the following book report is part of her final Communications course to meet the prerequisites for that. Incidentally, her math skills are equally good, and right now she is completing sections on Trigonometry and Quadratic Equations, a far cry from her skills when she left school many years ago. Like many of the adults who are served in programs such as this, Tara has a complex life but she is an excellent example of how someone with determination and persistence can achieve her potential.

Book Report : Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

by Tara Alrutz

J.K. Rowling's debut novel is a unique coming-of-age tale about a seemingly ordinary boy who finds himself abruptly thrust into an extraordinary world.

The book reads like a modernized Cinderella story, full of humble beginnings, that capture our attention and imagination, taking us, as well as Harry Potter, on an incredible journey toward an incredible destiny.

In the beginning, Harry Potter is an endearingly naive 10-year-old who, after his parents were allegedly killed in a car crash when he was a baby, finds himself spending 10 long years in the care of his cruel, selfish relatives, the Dursleys. He's forced to live in a tiny cupboard under the stairs, wear his spoiled cousin Dudley's tatty hand-me-downs, do endless chores and endure never-ending taunts and insults.

But all that changes on Harry's 11th birthday. Instead of a fairy godmother, Harry's salvation comes in the form of a huge, rather scary looking giant, named Hagrid, who informs Harry that he is no ordinary boy. He is in fact a wizard, capable of performing amazing feats of magic, once he's 'been trained up a bit, of course' as Hagrid says. He also learns that his parents were not killed in a car crash, but were in fact killed by one of the most powerful dark wizards the world had ever seen, Voldemort. Harry is frightened to learn that he should have died that night as well but somehow, Voldemort's plans were thwarted, leaving the dark lord mysteriously missing, and giving Harry a distinctive lightening-shaped scar on his forehead, earning him the nickname 'The boy who Lived'.

After that, Harry is whisked away to Diagon Alley, the one-stop shopping center for all a witches or wizards' needs, with a wand shop, a Quidditch supply store, complete with the latest model of flying broom, and a bookstore in which all the books contain pictures that move, wave, even smile at you. From there it's off to platform 9 3/4, to ride the Hogwart's express, a magical old steam engine aboard which Harry meets his two soon-to-be best friends, Ronald Weasely, who comes from a large family of wizards and is eager to show Harry all the ins and outs of the wizarding world, as well as Hermione Granger, a clever witch who, unlike Ron and Harry, comes from Muggle, or non-magic parents.

Finally, we get to see what is perhaps the most important setting in the novel, Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry itself. The huge, ancient castle's seemingly endless corridors and rooms provide fascinating backdrops for the trio's many adventures.

The book's momentum is provided by the constant challenges Harry faces while trying to adapt to the fantastical world he finds himself in.

And there are many, many challenges. From snarky, sarcastic professors, giant three-headed dogs and mountain trolls, to Quidditch, a game played while flying hundreds of feet above the ground on a broomstick. There's also a frightening night of detention served in the dark forest which includes a run in with an unknown monster and probably the most unusual, if not also the most brutal game of chess you are ever likely to read about, not to mention a terrifying confrontation with the dark lord Voldemort himself.

But through it all, Harry and his friends face each challenge with courage, resourcefulness and strength, forming an unbreakable bond between these three very diverse individuals.

While some might say that the book is too Harry-centric, or that coming of age stories have become cliche, I feel that Rowling, through the use of the world of witches and wizards, puts a whole new spin on the idea. She makes viewing the world through the eyes of an 11-year-old boy fun and exciting.

The book also sends a strong message about friendship, loyalty, and believing in yourself that can be appreciated by everyone.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's stone is a book that will appeal to readers of all ages. The magical settings, quick-paced action and well-rounded characters draw you into this fantastic world and leave you wanting much more, as you long to hear, once again, the shrill whistle of the Hogwart's express, signifying for Harry the start of another action-packed year and for us, another exciting book.