For this review I am using the 2001 Bloomsbury edition which runs to 17 chapters or 223 pages, or if you like, 76,944 words. As it is targeted at older children, this book falls into the 6-11 age bracket of readers but a quick glance on any website concerning this book soon tells us that the age of people who have read it range in anything from 8 to 80.
The book, for those of you who may have had your head stuck in a sand-pit since 1997, focuses on the adventures of Harry Potter, a mistreated orphan who is whisked away to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Not only is the book about magic spells, eccentric wizards and witches and flying broomsticks, but we also follow Harry as he experiences starting at a new school and making new friends - something that many children are themselves able to identify with.
One of the beauties of J.K. Rowling's writing is that she uses a language that is straightforward but not overly simplistic to the point of being patronising to the younger reader. As I'm sure most of you have read at least some of the Harry Potter series you will probably agree that the author has a strong narrative style to her writing and a strong plot that keeps you reading to the last page.
