Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Title: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Author: J.K. Rowling
ISBN: 0-590-35342-X
Recommended Grade Level of Reader: 6th and Up
Publisher: Scholastic, Inc.
Media Type: Book
Copyright: 1997
Genre: Fantasy

Reader's Annotation: He knew he was not like the Dursleys, but he never expected that he would be this different. His newfound powers and magical history will take him far from the life he has known for so long.

Plot Summary: Harry Potter thinks he is a normal boy living with his awful aunt, uncle, and cousin until he is inundated with many mysterious letters. Although his uncle prevents him from reading the contents of the letters, the message finally makes its way to Harry Potter. An enormous, lively man delivers one of the letters which is an invitation to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The invitation and the giant, Hagrid, help to explain unusual feelings and flashbacks Harry had been experiencing. Unbeknownst to Harry, he has special powers and an incredible past. Harry gladly leaves his extended family and ventures to Hogwarts to begin a new chapter in his life. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone documents Harry's first year in wizard school and the first of his many new adventures.

Evaluation: (A+) J.K. Rowlings provides for a page turning read and a book one will not want to put down. The plot is full of suspense from beginning to end. Starting with the actions of Harry's aunt, uncle, and cousin, readers will want to find out what the family will do next. This pattern continues throughout the rest of the book with so many new and wonderful adventures for Harry that one can't help to become addicted. Additionally, Harry is a likeable character who is sincere and grateful. These qualities also add to the suspense of the storyline since readers root for Harry from the first page to the last.

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• Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone DVD (2001)

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

Title: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

Author: Sherman Alexie

ISBN: 978-0-316-01369-7

Recommended Grade Level of Reader: 7th to 10th

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company

Media Type: Book

Copyright:  2009

Genre: Fiction

Reader's Annotation:  Arnold has a lot of cards stacked against him, but through his drawings and experiences on and off of the rez he develops a sense of self-awareness that is profound and heartwarming.  

Plot Summary: Told through the eyes of a teenage male protagonist, this book follows the everyday life of Arnold Spirit on an Indian reservation in Washington State. Arnold deals with mature issues such as death, alcoholism, and his own disability throughout the course of the narrative. He also faces the normal trials and tribulations of American teenagers including changing schools and feeling like an outcast.  Despite the issues at hand, Arnold retains a sense of humor that is both appealing and comforting to the reader.

Evaluation:  (A+)  Arnold’s story is told through writing as well as unique illustration. The author supplements Arnold’s tale by including Arnold’s pencil drawings which helps to deliver the story and is effective in developing the main character.  With the pencil drawings, one can more clearly see Arnold's perceptions of his surroundings.  Additionally, the humor interjected into the novel will make this book difficult to put down. 

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• YALSA History and Cultures Booklist