Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

Genre: Fantasy Fiction/Novel
Age Range: 7 and up
Summary: As a baby, Harry and his parents were in revolt against a tyrant of a wizard who wanted to take over the wizard world without having any respect for the Muggles (non-wizard folk). This evil wizard, Voldemort, killed Harry's parents and would have killed Harry too but was unable to and ended up killing himself, instead. This is when Dumbledore, a good wizard, and several other friends brought him into the Muggle world to grow up with his Aunt and Uncle, the Dursleys. His extended family was less than hospitable; making him live under the stairs and treating him more like a housekeeper than a nephew or adopted son. After 12 years, Harry receives several letters via owl delivery. Mr. Dursley, not liking anything out of the ordinary, shunned the letters and would not let Harry read them. But magic seems to prevail against his efforts for Harry does eventually know his destiny--to go to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. A half-giant, Hagrid, storms through the doors of the Dursley's cabin only to find a clueless and skeptical Harry. Hagrid is not allowed to use magic normally but was permitted a pink umbrella that can do magic under Dumbledore's permission. Harry finds himself at Hogwarts with the a white owl named Hedwig and his new friends, Ron and Hermoine. Together, these friends encompass many trials. An ogre in a bathroom. A three-headed dog. The Devil's Snare--which just sounds dangerous. All in the race for the Sorcerer's Stone. And the race is against Voldemort who could not be doing the journey by himself. He has to have help. The three friends believe that it is the coarse Professor Snape who is responsible, but to Harry's shock, it is the shy, stuttering Professor Quirral who is helping Voldemort receive the Sorcerer's Stone, and eternal life. Enabling him to have another shot at taking over the world. Harry ends up with the stone in his pocket. And resists Voldemort's enticements to Harry to switch over to the dark side. Harry ends up in the hospital wing where he rehashes everything that went down with Dumbledore who gives him some advice on how to be a good wizard. This book is an amazing example of a boy who comes from disadvantages circumstances but still becomes somebody for everyone in the book is jealous of Harry. It is an excellent example of friendship. Plus, it is a ton of fun.