Book Being Reviewed:

Rowling, J. K. (1997). Harry Potter and the sorcerer's stone. New York, NY: Arthur A. Levine Books.

Reviewer:

Donna Gibson

Genre:

Current Events/Popular Culture

Subject Headings:

Relationships

Review:
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone was written by J.K. Rowling (1997) and became quite popular as the first of seven books that focused on the lives of three central characters, with Harry Potter being the central focus. In this book, the history of Harry's home and family experiences, as well as his experiences in school are included. Harry, a preteen who is living in England with his aunt, uncle, and male cousin, is banished to live in a cabinet under the stairs because of his family's fears of his potential special abilities. Therefore, Harry's sense of family is based on feeling inadequate, different, and unwanted. Harry discovers the richness of close relationships with friendships that develop as he has the opportunity to leave his stepfamily and move to Hogwart's, a residential school for witches and wizards. His "special abilities" are celebrated and he learns how truly "special" he is based on circumstances around his biological mother and father.
 
Overall, the story provides the reader an opportunity to empathize with Harry's experiences as being unaccepted by his stepfamily but also learning to believe in himself as others validate his abilities and decisions. Counselor educators can use this book as a way of teaching counselors-in-training to empathize with clients in a non-pressured manner, such as in counseling theories or communication skills courses. Counselors can use this book with both children and adults to help them learn to empathize with themselves and increase their self-esteem in making decisions. It also will help them learn the importance of healthy relationships.