Harry Potter and the Philosopher's StoneHarry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
What it's about
Harry Potter has spent ten years sleeping in the cupboard under the stairs of his cruel aunt and uncle's house when a letter arrives that changes everything: he's a wizard, and he has a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. There he finds friends in Ron and Hermione, discovers that he's famous for surviving an attack by the dark wizard Voldemort as a baby, and starts to suspect that something is being hidden in the school.
Why it's worth reading
It's the book that turned a generation into readers, and it's still pure magic: funny, warm, inventive and with a mystery that keeps you turning pages. The world it builds has become part of how millions of people grew up.
You'll love it if you liked
The Hobbit, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe or The Hunger Games
Good to know
It's published in the US as Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. It's the shortest and gentlest of the seven books, which grow darker and longer as Harry grows up.
By the numbers
- Readers98 out of 100 · counts 40%+45
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%+0
- Bestseller96 out of 100 · counts 32% (its stronger lane)+34
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 15%+0
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero.
On 2 canon lists, including PBS Great American Read. One of the best-selling books ever (about 600 million copies). 4.47★ from 11.9M Goodreads ratings.
Where it ranks
- #2 of the 27 young adult books we rank
- #6 of the 131 fantasy books we rank
- #13 of the 666 modern books we rank
- #31 of the 1,404 books we rank
Bestseller
- One of the best-selling books ever (about 600 million copies)
- #1 New York Times bestseller (10 weeks at #1)
On the lists
- PBS Great American Read
- BBC's The Big Read
Reads as
Epic
