What J.K. Rowling Wrought

J.K. Rowling Harry Potter
Akira Suemori / AP

The Philosopher's Stone
Rowling wrote the first book in the series, re-titled to Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone when it was released in the U.S., while she was unemployed and on state benefits. A signed first edition of the book sold for $40,000 at auction in 2007.

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