Oh, man! It’s been SO fun to reread The Sorcerer’s Stone. I’ve uncovered all kinds of clues that J.K. Rowling dropped in this first book to hint at future events (even the ending of the series!!). These first two chapters made me wonder lots of questions like why Dumbledore would WANT Harry to grow up with the Dursleys and wouldn’t Harry have guessed, hoped, or even just pretended he had magical powers if odd things always seemed to happen around him? I wonder. Did you have any wonderings while reading this past week?
For next week, read Chapters 3 and 4 by Friday, July 3rd. As always, feel free to read ahead. Just don’t spoil anything for your fellow Potterheads!
Also, you have a small assignment to at least think about this week. While you’re reading, find a quote from the text that you think captures the main idea of the chapter. For example, for chapter 1, “The Boy Who Lived,” I would choose this quote: “For a full minute the three of them stood and looked at the little bundle; Hagrid’s shoulders shook, Professor McGonagall blinked furiously, and the twinkling light that usually shone from Dumbledore’s eyes seemed to have gone out” (page 16). I think this quote captures the main idea of the first chapter because we can infer how much Harry Potter means to the wizarding world if these three grown, powerful wizards and witch are so upset. I also love this quote as a writer because J.K. Rowling showed me how devastated they all were without telling me “They were sad.” Show, don’t tell. Right, writers?
See if you can find one quote for chapter 3 and another for chapter 4 and share how you think they capture the main idea of each chapter. Feel free to use this sentence frame:
The quote ____________ (page___) captures the main idea of chapter ___ because ________________________________________________.
You can share your quotes and reasons by commenting on this post OR emailing them to me through your parent’s email address (get permission first!). I wonder if we’ll choose the same quotes–I can’t wait to find out! See you next Friday! Happy reading!
A SEA OF TALK 
The quote “‘Who’s writing to me?’ No one. It was addressed to you by mistake,’ said Uncle Vernon shortly. ‘I have burned it.’ ‘It was not a mistake’ said Harry…” (page 37) captures the main idea of chapter 3 because, the chapter was about Harry getting letters and his family not letting him see them.
The quote “‘Hagrid,’ he said quietly, ‘I think you must have made a mistake. I don’t think I can be a wizard.'” (page 58) captures the main idea of chapter 4 because, Hagrid was explaining Harry’s early life to him and that he was a wizard because his family wasn’t telling him about it and Harry was confused about it.
The quote, “He had no friends, no other relatives — he didn’t belong to the library,” (page 34) captures the main idea of chapter 3 because in chapter three Harry finds the letters but he doesn’t know who they are from and that matches the title of chapter three,The Letters From No One,because it’s kind of like the letter is from no one since they don’t know who it’s from. And that is why I think it captures the main idea of chapter 3.
The quote ; “Who on earth wants to talk to you this badly?” Dudley asked Harry in amazement, is on page 40 and I feel it captures the main idea of chapter 3 because in the whole chapter an anonymous writer writes to Harry consistently waiting for a reply. With no reply, the writer is determined to get an answer from Harry. Since Harry is not allowed to open the letters he too is curious on who is writing to him and what they have to say.
The quote; “Kept what from Me?” said Harry eagerly is on page 50. I feel it captures the main idea of chapter 4 because Hagrid finally gets to talk to Harry and tells him about his family and that he is a wizard.
For chapter 3 on page 40 I found the quote “on Saturday things started to getting out of hand.Twenty-four letters to Harry found there way into the house.”because in chapter 3 is about letters so twenty-four letters flying into Harrys house all at the same time would be a disaster.
For chapter 4 on page 52 I found the quote “Questions exploded inside Harrys head like fireworks.”because in chapter 4 Harry finds out he’s a wizard and he has so many questions.
The quote “True, I haven’t introduced myself. Rubeus Hagrid, Keeper of the Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts.” (page 48) captures the main idea of chapter 4 because The chapter is called ” The Keeper Of The Keys” and Hagrid says he is the keeper of the keys so that is why I think it captures the main idea of chapter 4.