Thanks to Beth, Elizabeth and E.G. for sending in word of a new cover for the United States paperback edition of Sorcerer's Stone. Elizabeth sent us a scan that she found in the Scholastic Book Club. Illustrated by Mary GrandPre, it depicts Harry, Ollivander, and Hagrid in Ollivander's Wand Shop.

If/when anyone sees this hitting store shelves, please let us know!

UPDATE: Thanks to David for pointing out that the top of the cover reads: "Exclusive Scholastic School Market Edition". So for now, only people ordering it through the special catalog will be able to get it. Of course, copies are likely to show up on sites like eBay.

In late-August, we asked you all to send in your stories of how you discovered the Harry Potter series. We ended up receiving over 500 entries for this area of the site that we're putting together, and it's now available right here!

We encourage everyone to take some time to read these stories, as they remind of why Harry Potter became the success that it is. Thank you to EVERYONE who contributed with their stories. We couldn't include them all, but we believe that the ones chosen for publication on the site reflect the best parts of the fandom. Enjoy!

UPDATE: The event concluded at 5:22 PM EST, with a Scholastic representative saying they'd be back next year for the 10th anniversary of Chamber of Secrets. A new book and Cover to Cover reading to come? We'll let you know!

A few weeks ago we told you about Scholastic's Cover to Cover Sorcerer's Stone reading, which lets fans take turns reading the first book in Scholastic's headquarters.

That event is TODAY and is streaming live online so everyone can enjoy the fun. Check out the stream right here. They expect the event to wrap up no later than 5 PM EST.

Scholastic also passed along a few pictures from the event that you can see here, here, here, and here, and here. To everyone who went: great job reading!

Our friends at HP Fan Trips have informed us that spots on their Equus trip this November only has a few spots left! From their site:

For two incredible nights, Harry Potter fans will gather in New York for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Fans will enjoy one of their favorite actors in the award-winning play, Equus, attend an Equus workshop, meet an Equus Cast Member, play HP Fan Trips' Wizarding Game, inspired by Harry's favorite sport and more!

Additionally, Whimsic Alley in Santa Monica, CA wants everyone to know that they'll be having a Sorcerer's Stone anniversary party this Tuesday at their store. You'll be able to purchase a copy of the 10th anniversary edition, win prizes, experience some Wizard lectures, and much more! Check their site for details.

UPDATE: Since posting this, we've received lots of e-mails from visitors who say Amazon has already shipped their copies too. MuggleNet reader Chance, who has his hands on the book, tells us that the bonus material from Ms. Rowling is a drawing of Snape she made back in 1992 or 1993. She admits that her sketch makes him look "Count Dracula-ish," even though she has always denied Snape being a vampire.

UPDATE 2: This appears to be no mistake, as Amazon had e-mailed customers who pre-ordered and told them they can expect the book to arrive between September 11th and September 15th. Thanks again to Chance!

The 10th Anniversary Edition of Sorcerer's Stone, featuring a brand new cover as well as bonus material from JK Rowling, has been accidentally shipped early to at least one pre-order customer on Amazon.

MuggleNet reader Rudy tells us that her copy arrived this morning via UPS, even though the book is not officially released until September 23rd.

If anyone else has received their book early, let us know (tips at staff dot mugglenet dot com) and tell us how it is! Please note that this is most likely not happening for everyone, but if you'd like to pre-order a copy anyway, you can do so right here.

September 2008 will mark 10 years since Sorcerer's Stone was released in the United States. We know that Scholastic will be releasing a 10th anniversary edition, but we would like to do something to recognize the occasion too.

So, starting today, we want to hear YOUR stories of coming into the world of Potter. How did you find the book? What was your first reaction? Did anyone else you know read it? What has Harry Potter done for you since then? Since your stories will be released on September 14th to mark the specific occasion, we ask that those who submit something be those who found the books 8 to 10 years ago.

Please submit your story (by September 7th at the latest, please) to andrew at staff dot mugglenet dot com with "Sorcerer's Stone Story" in the subject line. Your email should also include your first name, location, and current age. Since we do live in a tech savvy world, feel free to submit your story as a YouTube video, LiveJournal entry, or just a simple e-mail. Thanks to everyone who contributes!

In celebrating the 10th anniversary of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's stone on September 23rd, Scholastic has announced a really cool opportunity for Harry Potter fans to sit in the throne used by JK Rowling at Carnegie Hall.

Starting at 8 AM on September 23rd within the Scholastic Headquarters, fans will sit in that throne and take turns reading from Sorcerer's Stone until the book is finished! Those participating will receive a commemorative souvenir, and the first 100 people will also get a copy of Sorcerer's Stone anniversary edition!

The event will also be streamed to the internet so fans from around the world can enjoy this special occasion. For full details, click here. And to everyone who attends: Have fun!

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This September marks the 10th anniversary of when Sorcerer's Stone was first released in the United States, and Scholastic is ready to celebrate! This morning they announced the Special Anniversary Edition which features a beautiful new cover illustrated by Mary GrandPre and "exclusive bonus material from J.K. Rowling."

There is a great quote from GrandPre in the press release as well:
“It's a real treat for me to get another chance to visually bring Harry back to his fans in not only a new scene, but in a new light. Going back to draw the first cover for the anniversary edition was an opportunity for me to show another side of Harry... a vulnerable side. Having come to know and love Harry the way we all have, after experiencing the whole series, I think we can appreciate him even more on an emotional level.”

The book will be released on September 23rd and will cost $30. Read the full press release at the link below!

UPDATE: Check out the back cover art right here on Scholastic's site. It depicts Hagrid making his way up to Hogwarts Castle via boat.

The Daily Mail is reporting this evening that Philosopher's Stone, the first book in the Potter series, is now a choice for A-Levels in the United Kingdom. For those who don't know, A-Levels are academic placement tests similar to the SATs taken in the United States.

Pupils taking the English language and literature A-level next year will study Rowling's first Potter volume – the 12th best-selling book of all time and the basis for a Hollywood film – along with one other book for the module Themes in Language and Literature.

They will have to write a 1,200 to 1,500-word piece of coursework comparing the "approaches" of J.K. Rowling and the other writer.

Examiners will mark students on how they relate story lines and the activities of Harry Potter and his friends to the context of the times.

And students will have to show an understanding of J.K. Rowling's use of language, described recently as gibberish by a High Court judge. They will also have to write their own 500 to 800-word story inspired by the book.

To read more, including quotes from critics who believe that this just following today's pop culture. click here. Thanks to Sean for the tip!

Coinciding with their 25th anniversary, UK bookstore Waterstone's has named Philosopher's Stone the best book in the past 25 years.

Thanks to HarryLatino.com for the tip.

In celebration of USA Today's 25th Anniversary, several "Top 25" lists are being published online. The third one was released today, titled "25 Books That Leave a Legacy," and it puts Sorcerer's Stone on top:

Midnight book parties, all-night readathons, overnight deliveries: A boy wizard named Harry got kids (and adults) thinking that reading was cool. And mega sales of the magical series redefined what it meant to be a best seller.

The Deep End of the Ocean, The Da Vinci Code, The 9/11 Commission Report, and Chicken Soup for the Soul rounded out the Top 5. Thanks to Lori for the tip!

Last September, we told you that Bloomsbury, in celebration of their 21st birthday, would re-release 21 books, including Philosopher's Stone. This new version of Book 1 is now available, and includes a short introduction by JK Rowling:

[Favorite] Children's Book
It's a three way tie between "The Story of the Treasure Seekers" by Edith Nesbit, for the character of Oswald, "Manxmouse" by Paul Gallico, for its wistful, magical tone, and "The Little White Horse" by Elizabeth Goudge, for its plain, vain heroine.

Amazon has recently released a list of the most reviewed and requested items of 2006. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone topped their list as the book with the most positive reviews by customers for the year.

Bloomsbury will re-release 21 books to celebrate their 21st birthday, including Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. According to Publishing News, "All the titles will feature a short question-and-answer with the authors, an introduction by fellow writers, and a reading guide."

No word yet on what Jo may include, although we could assume it will focus on the beginning of the series. Thanks to Laura and Samuel for the tip!