Harry Potter Hardcover Boxed Set (Books 1-4) [Box set] [Hardcover]

J. K. Rowling (Author), Mary GrandPré (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 2001 | Age Level: 9 and up | Series: Harry Potter

'The world of Hogwarts is complete in every riotous, headlong detail. The richness and scale of Rowling's invention is exhilirating but the real proof of quality lies in J.K. Rowling's power to draw the reader into Harry's world and make it seem believable.' - "Guardian". '"The Harry Potter" books are that rare thing, a series of stories adored by children and adults alike.' - "Daily Telegraph". Have all the Harry Potter stories at your fingertips in this stylish box set - the perfect present.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Young wizard-in-training Harry Potter has had his hands full during his first four years at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. As if excelling on and off the Quidditch field isn't enough, Harry has heard evil voices in the walls, saved lives, and fended off convicts. Only time will tell how Harry will manage the certain dangers in store for him over the next few years. The first four titles of J.K. Rowling's magical, witty, exciting adventures are now available in a gift set, perfect for the legions of children whose big brothers and sisters (and parents) have made off with their copies. These gripping fantasy novels are on the road to becoming classics--don't wait to collect these lovely hardcover editions, illustrated by the talented Mary GrandPré. Each boxed set includes Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. (Ages 8 and older) --Emilie Coulter

Review

'The world of Hogwarts is complete in every riotous, headlong detail. The richness and scale of Rowling's invention is exhilirating... but the real proof of quality lies in J.K. Rowling's power to draw the reader into Harry's world and make it seem believable' Guardian 'The Harry Potter books are that rare thing, a series of stories adored by children and adults alike' Daily Telegraph --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover
• Publisher: Scholastic; 1 edition (November 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0439249546
• ISBN-13: 978-0439249546
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 6.7 x 6.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (425 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #201,543 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

J K (Joanne Kathleen) Rowling was born in the summer of 1965 at Yate General Hospital in England and grew up in Chepstow, Gwent where she went to Wyedean Comprehensive. Jo left Chepstow for Exeter University, where she earned a French and Classics degree, and where her course included one year in Paris. As a postgraduate she moved to London to work at Amnesty International, doing research into human rights abuses in Francophone Africa. She started writing the Harry Potter series during a Manchester to London King's Cross train journey, and during the next five years, outlined the plots for each book and began writing the first novel. Jo then moved to northern Portugal, where she taught English as a foreign language. She married in October 1992 and gave birth to her daughter Jessica in 1993. When her marriage ended, she returned to the UK to live in Edinburgh, where "Harry Potter & the Philosopher's Ston"e was eventually completed and in 1996 she received an offer of publication. The following summer the world was introduced to Harry Potter."Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" was published by Bloomsbury Children's Books in June 1997 and was published as "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" in America by Arthur A. Levine Books/Scholastic in September 1998.The second title in the series, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets", was published in July 1998 (June 2, 1999 in America) and was No. 1 in the adult hardback bestseller charts for a month after publication. "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" was published on 8th July 1999 (September 8, 1999 in America) to worldwide acclaim and massive press attention. The book spent four weeks at No.1 in the adult hardback bestseller charts, while "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" simultaneously topped the paperback charts. In the US the first three Harry Potter books occupied the top three spots on numerous adult bestseller lists.The fourth book in the series, "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" was published in Britain, the USA, Canada and Australia 8th July 2000 with a record first print run of 1 million copies for the UK and 3.8 million for the US. It quickly broke all records for the greatest number of books sold on the first weekend of publication. The fifth book in the series, "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix," was published in Britain, the USA, Canada and Australia on 21st June 2003. Published in paperback on 10th July 2004, it is the longest in the series - 766 pages - and broke the records set by "Harry Potter & the Goblet of Fire" as the fastest selling book in history. The sixth book in the series, "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince", was published in the UK, US and other English-speaking countries on 16th July 2005 and also achieved record sales.The seventh and final book in the series, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," was published in the UK, US and other English speaking countries on 21st July 2007. The book is the fastest selling book in the UK and USA and sales have contributed to breaking the 375 million copies mark worldwide.J K Rowling has also written two small volumes, which appear as the titles of Harry's school books within the novels. "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" and "Quidditch Through The Ages" were published by Bloomsbury Children's Books and Scholastic in March 2001 in aid of Comic Relief. The Harry Potter books have sold 400 million copies worldwide. They are distributed in over 200 territories and are translated into 67 languages.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

66 of 69 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Need to read it to be convinced, November 5, 2001

By 

Megan Long (NY,NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Harry Potter Hardcover Boxed Set (Books 1-4) (Hardcover)

I blew off the entire series thinking on my own that it was just another mainstream fad. I don't know why I started reading, but now I am convinced, this is excellent material for anyone child at heart, and arent we all? Yes I am saying that this is a cheerful set for all. Actually you cant beat this, I know all these books will become Icons of reading and remain so for a long long time to come.

Also Recommended SB: 1 or God By Karl Mark Maddox

46 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars These books have it all, November 30, 2001

By 

wysewomon "wysewomon" (Paonia, CO United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Harry Potter Hardcover Boxed Set (Books 1-4) (Hardcover)

I've just fininshed reading the first 4 Harry Potter books for about the 5th time through, and they're just as magical and affecting as they have ever been. Everything is in here: suspense, adventure, mystery, humour, danger. There's even some pretty satisfying paybacks. The characters are fantastic and fantastically realistic. There are bad people who turn out to be good guys and good people who turn out to be bad guys, just like life.

I think the thing I like best about these books is the message that it's okay to be different - to be not "normal." I would very much have liked to have heard that message when I was Harry's age and in a stiff, prep school environment.

These book value real thought. Much has been made of Harry's rule breaking, but only once in the series so far does he break a rule for arbitrary personal gain. Most of the time he makes a decision that what's right is more important than what's written. And you know what? Life's like that sometimes. I think it's great that kids are getting an example of how to do what's right even when it involves breaking rules. The Potter books also show that there are consequences for rule breaking. If not getting caught and getting a detention, then a spell going wrong and someone getting turned into a cat. This shows that when you make a decision to go against the rules that things may not go as you expected and you have to take responsibility for the outcome.

Rowling's done a great job with these books! Long may she continue.

61 of 67 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book! It's about time we let our kids have imagination, November 7, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Harry Potter Hardcover Boxed Set (Books 1-4) (Hardcover)

I picked this book up, not for a child, but for myself. I am 41, and I loved it! I am all for teaching kids immagination, and so tired of hearing the people complain about what horrible things it will do to our children. Give me a break! Part of the problem now adays is that kids have been growing up too fast because people won't let them imagine, and won't let them have fun! Part of my fondest memories is that my parents made sure that I had an imagination, and encouraged it. I believed in Santa and the Easter Bunny (but I knew the religious difference - yes, it can be taught hand in hand), having my stuffed animals as friends when I felt alone, and playing pretend in general. This will be a tool to get the kids back to what they should be - kids! (PS - sorcerers and fairys have been around for a while, and I don't practice any spells! Remember Cinderella, Tinkerbell, the Sword in the Stone, and Sleeping Beauty, to name a few Disney movies?)Teach them how to imagine, and they will know the difference between real life, and play time!