In preparation for the coming of the final book, here’s a primer on the first six Harry Potter books:
BOOK ONE:
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (aka Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone)
Major new characters: Harry Potter, a young wizard and an orphan; Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, Harry’s best friends; Rubeus Hagrid, Hogwarts gamekeeper; Draco Malfoy, a fellow student and Harry’s nemesis; Severus Snape, Potions master who dislikes Harry; Albus Dumbledore, headmaster of Hogwarts; Lord Voldemort, an evil wizard almost universally feared; Quirinus Quirrell, the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher.
Major plot points:
On his 11th birthday, Harry learns he is a wizard. For most of his life, he’s been living with his cruel relatives, the Dursleys, who have kept his magical past a secret.
Voldemort killed James and Lily Potter but was unable to kill their baby son, Harry. Harry is known throughout the wizarding world for surviving Voldemort’s attack, which left a lightning bolt-shaped scar on the boy’s forehead.
Harry attends his first year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and is assigned to Gryffindor, one of four houses. He shows a natural talent for playing the wizard game Quidditch.
Harry learns that Voldemort is trying to steal the Sorcerer’s Stone, which grants its owner wealth and immortality. He, Ron and Hermione fight to keep the stone away from Voldemort.
Memorable quote: “If there is one thing Voldemort cannot understand, it is love. He didn’t realize that love as powerful as your mother’s for you leaves its own mark. Not a scar, no visible sign … to have been loved so deeply, even though the person who loved us is gone, will give us some protection forever.” - Dumbledore to Harry
Tags: Chamber of Secrets, Goblet of Fire, Half-Blood Prince, Harry Potter, Order of the Phoenix, Philosopher's Stone, Prisoner of Azkaban
The New Zealand Herald recently published a list of little known 