What was J.K. Rowling’s first Harry Potter novel called?

J.K. Rowling’s first Harry Potter novel was Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

Bloomsbury published the book in the United Kingdom on 26 June 1997. It introduced Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and the wider magical world that became the basis for a seven-book series.

In the United States, the same novel was published under the title Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. The title change is why international readers sometimes give different answers to a question about the first book. The story and edition are the same, but “Philosopher’s Stone” is the original British title.

The novel’s first edition was aimed at children, yet its school setting, mystery plot, humor, and expanding mythology attracted readers of many ages. Its success led to six direct sequels, eight major film adaptations, translations around the world, and a much larger wizarding-world franchise.