At the beginning of the novel, Harry Potter is living in a cupboard under the stairs, suffering appalling maltreatment at the hands of the Dursley family, to whose care he was confided as an infant following the death of his parents; his mother was Mrs. ... Hagrid, who is fascinated by all manner of magical creatures, becomes Harry's first fast friend. ... With the aid of Hermione and Ron, and encouragement from Dumbledore and Hagrid, Harry contrives to thwart Voldemort's ambition in a tense climax, but he realizes that he is engaged in a contest that is likely to be long and despe...

• Word Count: 708
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

Some people take a different view on this issue and believe that many books, from classic novels like the "Catcher in the Rye" to the recent award-winning "Harry Potter", have objectionable subject matters that should not be used in the classroom. ... The American Library Association's Judith Krug strongly disagrees with the banning of books like "To Kill a Mockingbird" because, "They've stood the test of time. ...

• Word Count: 1119
• Approx Pages: 4