innaprokhorova

LEAH'S RATING (age 4): 5 STARS RAEF'S RATING (age 6): 4 STARS MEG'S RATING (age--none of your business): 5 STARS LEAH'S REVIEW: I liked the book and I liked the movie. It was exciting when they destroyed the troll. LEAH'S FAVORITE QUOTE: "Welcome!" (Dumbledore) said. "Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts! Before we begin our banquet, I would like to say a few words. And here they are: Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak! Thank you." RAEF'S REVIEW: They should have figured out the answers faster and had better questions. The part I liked was the part when they were trying to get the Sorcerer's Stone at the end. The ending was a surprise. RAEF'S FAVORITE QUOTE: "And what if I wave my wand and nothing happens?" "Throw it away and punch him on the nose," Ron suggested. MEG'S REVIEW: I get it! I finally get Harry Potter! I know it's not exactly rocket science, but I didn't fully understand the obsessive fascination with this series until I read the first book to my kids. They were absolutely RIVETED the entire time. Every magical enchantment was rewarded with an "ooohhh" and "ahhh," every one of Ron's jokes met with hysterical laughter, and I could actually watch my son and daughter grow stronger with each impossible obstacle or horrific monster Harry overcame. In one early scene, Leah literally started crying when Harry thought he would be thrown out of school and sent back to the Dursley's. Now THAT is a sure sign of someone who is LIVING a book, not reading it. So that's why my kids loved it. Here's why *I* loved it: Harry is strong. He stands up for what is right regardless of who stands against him (friend, enemy, authority figure, incorporeal undead wizard of darkness, etc.), which makes him a powerful hero for my 4- and 6-year-old. He's brave, self-sacrificing, and honorable. I think Harry proves his own character, and addresses the book's central theme itself, in a scene he shares with Malfoy near the beginning of his time at Hogwarts. In this particular scene, Malfoy gives a snotty little spiel on how he can introduce Harry to the best wizarding families and help him stay away from the "wrong sort." Harry then refuses to shake Malfoy's hand and responds, "I think I can tell who the wrong sort are for myself, thanks." And isn't that the essence of growing up? Moving away from simply doing what others tell us to do and learning to discern right and wrong for ourselves? Then, as soon as we know what's right, we can work on growing strong enough to stand up for it regardless of who stands against us. Harry is brilliant! Almost as brilliant as his author, who's created a story that is both wonderful and wonderfully told. Bravo! MEG'S FAVORITE QUOTES (and, of course, Dumbledore says most of them): Scars can come in handy. Harry wished he had about eight more eyes. The very dust and silence seemed to tingle with some secret magic. From that moment on, Hermione Granger became their friend. There are some things you can't share without ending up liking each other, and knocking out a twelve-foot mountain troll is one of them. It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live, remember that. One can never have enough socks. Death is but the next great adventure. Humans do have a knack of choosing precisely those things that are worst for them. The truth... is a beautiful and terrible thing, and should therefore be treated with great caution. To have been loved so deeply, even though the person who loved us is gone, will give us some protection forever. It is in your very skin. There are all kinds of courage. It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends.

2022-12-14 14:09