What was the first Harry Potter novel published in 1997?

The first Harry Potter novel published in 1997 was Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

Bloomsbury published Rowling’s debut novel in the United Kingdom on 26 June 1997. The story introduces Harry Potter, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and the magical world that becomes the setting for six sequels.

The United States edition appeared under a different title: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Scholastic changed “Philosopher’s” to “Sorcerer’s” because it believed the American wording would be more appealing to readers.

The title change can make the first book seem like two separate novels, but the story is substantially the same. Later books retained their British titles in both major markets.