Jordy Levy

Ms. Fields

Block 7 Language Arts

3/12/18

I read ​Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone​ by J.K. Rowling for my banned book writing

assignment. At the beginning, Harry Potter, the protagonist, was being delivered to his Aunt and

Uncle’s house after his parents were killed by Voldemort, the antagonist. Harry survived because

his parents cast a spell that protected him from Voldemort. For 13 years, Harry was kept isolated

in the “muggle,” normal human, world until he finds out that he was a wizard and how his

parents actually died. After his Aunt and Uncle tried to conceal the cascade of invitations to go to

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry from Harry, Hagrid, the gamekeeper, came to

bring Harry to Hogwarts. After getting all of the things he needs to go to Hogwarts, he went to

the school and, along with other first years, got sorted into the four houses, Gryffindor,

Hufflepuff, Slytherin, Ravenclaw. He meets his future best friends Hermione Granger and Ron

Weasley, who also got sorted into Gryffindor, which is the house for the brave. Harry soon

realizes that he is famous because he survived Voldemort. Throughout the book, Harry,

Hermione, and Ron get into all kinds of trouble. They go magic filled classes like, potions and

gardening, Harry discovers a talent for Quidditch, discovers a mirror that shows one biggest

desire. They discover the Philosopher's stone, which grants its user, imortalitality, and find that

Voldemort was possessing one of the professors at Hogwarts. Harry burns Voldemort from a

spell that his parents previosly casted on him after Voldemort tried to use the Philosopher's
stone. ​Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone​ is more of an introduction to the future books which

will further develop the story.

There are many reasons why this book should be banned. First, it shows that the only way

to deal with family problems is to run away. Second, it shows an abundance of witchcraft.

Harry’s invitation to Hogwarts was addressed, “Mr. H Potter, The Cupboard under the Stairs, 4

Privet Drive” (Rowling 34). Having Harry’s room addressed on the invitation was only a

glimpse to what kind of life they live at Hogwarts where almost everything involves magic.

Some of the spells used are “​Wingardium Leviosa!​” (Rowling 171), “​Petrificus Totalus!​”

(Rowling 273), and many more. Also, the book encourages a class system. Calling people,

“Muggles” (Rowling 65), as if wizards and witches are superior than normal humans. It

encourages stereotypes and separation. The Hufflepuffs are known to be “​just and loyal​”

(Rowling 118), Slytherins are considered more mean and stubborn, Ravenclaws are smart, and

Gryffindors are “​brave at heart​” (Rowling 118).

Even though the book is banned, there are many more reasons why you should read the

book. The reasons why the book is banned are very minor compared to others that contain

racism, suicide, and explicit content. It encourages bravery, self sufficiency, and persistency. The

houses are not only bad. They encourage students to spend time with people that have similar

beliefs and morals. The houses also put a sign on their forehead letting others know that you are

brave, loyal or smart, depending on what house you are in. It also encourages friendly

competition like house cup, a competition between the houses. A house can gain and lose points

during classes when someone from their house does something good or bad. Even though the
book is banned, ​Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone​ is still an interesting and enjoyable book

and there is a lot to learn from it.