This is the first of the Harry Potter series out of a total of seven, and by far the best. This is the book where Harry is introduced to us as an orphan brought up by an aunt and uncle who hate him and a cousin whose sole hobby is bullying. In spite of all this Harry is a lovely boy, and this makes you love the character. The story goes on to describe how Harry discovers he is a wizard and finds his true destiny in a school for witches and wizards hidden in a grand castle not visible to people with no magic. Along the way, Harry has some great adventures, makes some great new friends and a few enemies as well.

What makes this book and those that follows it engrossing is that J.K.Rowling has created an entire alternate world of magic in these books. There is a corresponding magical element for everything that we do in our daily lives and this makes the magical world very real. You can connect to all the characters and things and the magical life, and you really want to be a part of it, which is why these books became a great phenomenon, I think.

Even if you have seen the movies or have no interest in reading Harry Potter or any book at all this is one that all kids will enjoy and remember forever.