Joanne "Jo" Rowling, or J.K. Rowling as the world knows her, is the British author of the Harry Potter series. In 1995, Rowling finished her manuscript for Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. The plot follows young Harry Potter, who discovers he is a wizard and travels to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where he makes close friends. In his first year at Hogwarts, Harry faces an attempted comeback by the dark wizard Lord Voldemort, who murdered Harry's parents when he was just one year old and failed to kill Harry.
Christopher Little Literary Agents agreed to represent Rowling in her search for a publisher. Philosopher's Stone was submitted to twelve publishing houses, all of which rejected the manuscript (bet those people feel really dumb now). A year after her search began, Rowling was given the okay by editor Barry Cunningham from Bloomsbury Publishing out of London. Rowling was advised to get a day job by Cunningham because he told her she had little chance of making money in children's books (again, ha-ha).
In June 26, 1997, Bloomsbury published Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone with an initial print run of 1,000 copies (500 of which were distributed to libraries). In 1998, an auction was held in the United States for the rights to publish the book. Scholastic Inc. won by $105,000. In October of that year, Scholastic published Philosopher's Stone in the U.S. as Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. The book made it to the top of the New York Times list of best-selling fiction in August of 1999 and remained there for much of 2000. Educators use Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone as an important aid in improving literacy because of the books' popularity.
Main Characters:
Awards Won:
and many more
Christopher Little Literary Agents agreed to represent Rowling in her search for a publisher. Philosopher's Stone was submitted to twelve publishing houses, all of which rejected the manuscript (bet those people feel really dumb now). A year after her search began, Rowling was given the okay by editor Barry Cunningham from Bloomsbury Publishing out of London. Rowling was advised to get a day job by Cunningham because he told her she had little chance of making money in children's books (again, ha-ha).
In June 26, 1997, Bloomsbury published Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone with an initial print run of 1,000 copies (500 of which were distributed to libraries). In 1998, an auction was held in the United States for the rights to publish the book. Scholastic Inc. won by $105,000. In October of that year, Scholastic published Philosopher's Stone in the U.S. as Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. The book made it to the top of the New York Times list of best-selling fiction in August of 1999 and remained there for much of 2000. Educators use Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone as an important aid in improving literacy because of the books' popularity.
Main Characters:
- Harry Potter- orphan, scrawny, black-haired boy with spectacles, Voldemort's attack left a lightning bolt shape scar on his forehead, and a natural talent for Quidditch
- Ron Weasley- ultimate best friend, freckled, red-haired, tall, sixth-born of seven children in a pure blood family, poor, loyal, and brave.
- Hermione Granger- daughter of an all-muggle family, bushy brown hair, logical, upright, good, fear of failure, magical and analytic skills.
- Neville Longbottom- plump, forgetful, magical abilities are weak but quite courageous
- Rubeus Hagrid- half giant, tangled black hair and beard, expelled from Hogwarts and a broken wand, Professor Dumbledore let him stay as the school's gamekeeper, becomes close friend to Harry, Ron and Hermione.
- Professor Dumbledore- tall man, wears half-moon spectacles, silver beard, headmaster of Hogwarts, thought to be the only wizard Voldemort fears, brilliant in magic and his achievements
- Professor McGonagall- Head of Gryffindor House and teaches Transfiguration (she can transform into a cat)
- Professor Snape- greasy black hair, teaches Potions but would prefer Defense Against the Dark Arts, head of Slytherin House, seizes every opportunity to harass Harry, believed to be a follower of Voldemort
- Draco Malfoy- despises anyone who isn't a pure-blood wizard and wizards who do not share his views, parents were supporters of Voldemort until his disappearance, tries to get Harry and his friends into trouble
Awards Won:
- 1997 National Book Award (U.K. Edition)
- Gold medal in the 9-11 year olds category of the Nestle Smarties Book Prize (voted for by children)
- Almost all other British awards that were decided by children
- February 1998 British Book Award for Children's Book of the Year
- Children's Book Award
and many more