What was J.K. Rowling’s first published novel in 1997?

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

Bloomsbury published the book in the United Kingdom 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 novel combines school-story elements with fantasy, mystery, and coming-of-age themes.

The title differs between British and American editions. Scholastic published the United States edition as Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, changing “Philosopher” to “Sorcerer” for marketing reasons. The story and characters are otherwise substantially the same. The book began a seven-novel series and was followed by Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets in 1998.