What was J.K. Rowling’s first published Harry Potter story called in the United States?

In the United States, J.K. Rowling’s first Harry Potter story was published as Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.

The British original was titled Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. Scholastic changed the title for the American market because editors believed some readers might find “philosopher” less immediately associated with magic or fantasy. The American edition was published in September 1998, after the British edition had already launched the series.

The two editions tell the same story and differ mainly in title and some vocabulary adapted for American readers. For example, certain British terms were changed to forms more familiar to US readers. The title difference is one of the best-known publishing distinctions in the franchise.

The change can cause confusion when readers compare bibliographies or film references. The first film used the American title in the United States and the British title in many other markets, reflecting the two publishing titles.