This is a unique edition of “One for the Books”.Rather than just giving you a review of the book, let’s compare this popular book with its movie The book you ask? Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. When it comes to making a popular book series into a movie franchise, the production crew has to find the perfect balance of giving the book justice and creating a piece that will appeal to people who isn’t familiar with the novels. And Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone is one of those book to movie transitions that found that balance, though there are some small differences that only true fans would notice.

Harry Potter is one of the most popular franchises that has ever been created. Everywhere you look, there is something inspired by the series. Things as large as amusement parks, to small things like notebooks and pencil pouches. So throughout the production of the eight movies, it makes sense that with each movie, the spectacle and production quality would increase greatly. But if you take it back to the very beginning, you can truly appreciate the storyline for what it really is.

One of the most notable differences is that one of the main troublemakers, Peeves the Poltergeist, is prominent in the novels, but doesn’t make an appearance in the films. He is the one who always causes all of the hijinks and the one that all of the students, especially the first years, have to look out for, because he loves to get them in trouble. Another notable difference is that in the novel, the Sorting Hat sings a song before it begins sorting the first years. In the film, the hat only makes a comment before beginning.

Alongside these notable differences are some smaller differences that you would only notice if you were looking or are a true fan. One of these is that when Harry discovers the Mirror of Erised in the book, he sees all of his family that has passed away that he has never known, including grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc. But in the movie, he only sees his parents. And then there is the minor character of Mrs. Figg, the older next door neighbor who the Dursleys leave Harry with when they go out. She appears here and there in a few of the novels, but she is never mentioned in the film.

Harry Potter has had a lot of influence over our society for the past 20 years. It is one of the most popular franchises ever created because of its ability to transport you to a complete new world. While reading the books and watching the movies, you truly feel as if you are there at Hogwarts too. These differences don’t make the film bad, they just offer you another way to experience the magic.