What was J.K. Rowling’s first Harry Potter book called in the United Kingdom?

J.K. Rowling’s first Harry Potter book was titled Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone in the United Kingdom.

Bloomsbury published the novel on 26 June 1997. It introduces Harry Potter, an orphan who discovers that he is a wizard and begins studying at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The story follows his first year and his friendship with Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger.

The American edition used the title Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Scholastic changed “Philosopher’s Stone” because its editors believed “sorcerer” would be more immediately understandable to American children. The plot is essentially the same, but some wording was also adjusted for the American edition.

The title refers to the legendary stone associated with alchemy and the creation of the Elixir of Life. It should not be confused with the second book, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, which was published in 1998.