Penned by one British woman, bringing up her child alone, the book Harry Potter and the Philosopher`s Stone is a unique story. It is one of the most spectacular and most popular children`s novels of our age. This work aims to examine Rowling`s first Harry Potter novel whether it is a fairy tale in a classic sense and how much the 20th century left its mark on it. Classification of the fairytale is given and the novel`s elements - story, setting, characters - are examined according to those. The author gives a picture of contemporary Britain and explains how it influenced the book Harry Potter and the Philosopher`s Stone. The famous book also created controversy over its suitability for children. This has even been enhanced by our post-modern world`s media, like the internet, that make it possible for the debate to be more widespread. Edina Potts-Klement looks into the debate and researches what the arguments are for and against giving Harry Potter to children. She also offers various possibilities and methods for primary and secondary school teachers how to actually teach with the help of Rowling`s famous book.