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Wizard's Hall
A bungling sorcerer's apprentice, who makes a mess of even the simplest spells, finds an opportunity to prove his true worth when his school, Wizard's Hall, and his classmates are threatened by a cruel sorceror's evil beast. Reprint. 15,000 first printing.
133 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 1991
47 people are currently reading
1792 people want to read
About the author
Jane Yolen
971 books3,228 followersJane Yolen is a novelist, poet, fantasist, journalist, songwriter, storyteller, folklorist, and children’s book author who has written more than three hundred books. Her accolades include the Caldecott Medal, two Nebula Awards, the World Fantasy Award, three Mythopoeic Awards, the Kerlan Award, two Christopher Awards, and six honorary doctorate degrees from colleges and universities in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Born and raised in New York City, the mother of three and the grandmother of six, Yolen lives in Massachusetts and St. Andrews, Scotland.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 192 reviews
September 14, 2008
I just picked this one up at the library to reread as I remembered loving it as a kid. It was, in fact, the first novel I ever got a library fine on, as I lost it under my bed for several months.
A book that tells the story of a boy wizard succeeding against all odds might sound a bit familiar to you, but Wizard's Hall came long before Harry Potter was ever a twinkle in Voldemort's eye. Told in charming voice reminiscent of Diana Wynne Jones, this quick read is full of dry humor and is a must for anyone who loves the Harry Potter series.
***wondering why all my reviews are five stars? Because I'm only reviewing my favorite books -- not every book I read. Consider a novel's presence on my Goodreads bookshelf as a hearty endorsement. I can't believe I just said "hearty." It sounds like a stew.**** ...less
A book that tells the story of a boy wizard succeeding against all odds might sound a bit familiar to you, but Wizard's Hall came long before Harry Potter was ever a twinkle in Voldemort's eye. Told in charming voice reminiscent of Diana Wynne Jones, this quick read is full of dry humor and is a must for anyone who loves the Harry Potter series.
***wondering why all my reviews are five stars? Because I'm only reviewing my favorite books -- not every book I read. Consider a novel's presence on my Goodreads bookshelf as a hearty endorsement. I can't believe I just said "hearty." It sounds like a stew.**** ...less
June 30, 2021
After learning that this book preceded Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and that its author, Jane Yolen, feels that Rowling stole all of her ideas from Wizard's Hall and is remarkably grumpy about the Harry Potter series ("even though the story moves along, I just don't feel like they're well written" and "I always tell people that if Ms. Rowling would like to cut me a very large cheque, I would cash it" and "Rowling's prose is terrible"), I just had to read this book.
Sure, Wizard's Hall has similarities to the Potter series but it isn't remotely epic, like Rowling's 7 tome creation. Nor are the similarities damning. Yolen says, "[Wizard's Hall] has got a boy named Henry [who] goes to wizard school, doesn't think he has talent. He has a good friend with red hair. There's a wicked wizard who's trying to destroy the school, and the pictures on the wall move and speak and change." That's all she's got? So Bridget Jones' Diary = Pride and Prejudice. And everyone is now stealing from the Twilight series even though vampire mythology has been around since prehistoric times.
Ideas are like flowers -- just because one rose resembles another doesn't mean either is a clone.
However, none of this gristmill of ridiculous bile makes a damn bit of difference if one tries to take Wizard's Hall as a stand-alone children's book.
And, as one, I liked it. Not immensely. But I liked it. I thought of Harry Potter only once, when the main character forgot his wizard's robe in the wardrobe. Otherwise, the clever bits in this book bear only a passing resemblance to the clever bits in Rowling's; and they aren't nearly as well fleshed out.
But that's ok. And, in fact, for what I was hoping (I hear it's ok to end a sentence with a preposition these days but I fear Yolen will read this someday and come after me). My son is a prolific reader at age six; he's not ready for the dark, epic themes of Potter. But he can probably handle most of this book (though it does get a little creepy during the final showdown) and for that, I am grateful.
This is a quick read with sketchy outlines that are perfect for young readers. Yolen peppers her prose with wisdom, most of it coming in italicized sayings by the main character's "dear ma," like "Better take care than need care" and "Secrets is like wounds, can't be cleansed until opened" and "Expectations always disappoint" and "Good folk think bad thoughts; bad folk act on 'em" and, most tellingly for the plot and moral of the book, ""Talent don't matter. It only matters that you try." With that, she kisses him three times, "once on each cheek for love and once on the forehead for wisdom ..." and sends him packing to Wizard's Hall.
Yolen engages in some amusing humor; Henry becomes Thornmallow, a name which no one can seem to remember, "'Thornpillow!' said Magister Hickory. 'Marrow,' corrected Magister Beechvale. 'Mallow,' squeaked Thornmallow."
And when the kids are in the library, trying to figure out how to defeat the dark wizard, they come upon a solution that seems to easy to Thornmallow. "'Besides, if we thought of it, why didn't the Magisters?' 'Probably because it is too simple and too easy,' Gorse said. 'Have you ever noticed how grown-ups try to complicate everything? Make it harder than it is? Like grown-up food, with too many sauces.' 'And grown-up clothes, with too many buttons,' added Tansy. 'And grown-up manners,' Will said. 'With too many shoulds and shouldn'ts'"
But this is not an overtly funny book. For me, it was an entertaining confection. But for my kid, it may well be a tome that, with its three great themes, will resonate deeply in his psyche;
Words mean something
When the head of the school has confronted the dark wizard and is deflated, he begins to tell a story, "And clearly, as Magister Hickory spoke, the very act of speaking the words, telling the story, re-creating another time, gave him life. Just as the words spoken by the awful Master had brought him a kind of death."
The Fine Line
"By 'black,' my prickly friend, I do not mean evil. Or wicked. I mean dark and deep, as in the black water of the deepest lakes. All those strongest of emotions that -- if used improperly -- tempt us to wicked, evil deeds. For example, ambition, which can become greed. Or desire, which can become gluttony. Or admiration, which can become envy. We are all made up of such deep and dark emotions, and as we grow more mature, we learn to control them."
Always try. Always.
And Jane Yolen is overly fond of italics. Just saying.
Sure, Wizard's Hall has similarities to the Potter series but it isn't remotely epic, like Rowling's 7 tome creation. Nor are the similarities damning. Yolen says, "[Wizard's Hall] has got a boy named Henry [who] goes to wizard school, doesn't think he has talent. He has a good friend with red hair. There's a wicked wizard who's trying to destroy the school, and the pictures on the wall move and speak and change." That's all she's got? So Bridget Jones' Diary = Pride and Prejudice. And everyone is now stealing from the Twilight series even though vampire mythology has been around since prehistoric times.
Ideas are like flowers -- just because one rose resembles another doesn't mean either is a clone.
However, none of this gristmill of ridiculous bile makes a damn bit of difference if one tries to take Wizard's Hall as a stand-alone children's book.
And, as one, I liked it. Not immensely. But I liked it. I thought of Harry Potter only once, when the main character forgot his wizard's robe in the wardrobe. Otherwise, the clever bits in this book bear only a passing resemblance to the clever bits in Rowling's; and they aren't nearly as well fleshed out.
But that's ok. And, in fact, for what I was hoping (I hear it's ok to end a sentence with a preposition these days but I fear Yolen will read this someday and come after me). My son is a prolific reader at age six; he's not ready for the dark, epic themes of Potter. But he can probably handle most of this book (though it does get a little creepy during the final showdown) and for that, I am grateful.
This is a quick read with sketchy outlines that are perfect for young readers. Yolen peppers her prose with wisdom, most of it coming in italicized sayings by the main character's "dear ma," like "Better take care than need care" and "Secrets is like wounds, can't be cleansed until opened" and "Expectations always disappoint" and "Good folk think bad thoughts; bad folk act on 'em" and, most tellingly for the plot and moral of the book, ""Talent don't matter. It only matters that you try." With that, she kisses him three times, "once on each cheek for love and once on the forehead for wisdom ..." and sends him packing to Wizard's Hall.
Yolen engages in some amusing humor; Henry becomes Thornmallow, a name which no one can seem to remember, "'Thornpillow!' said Magister Hickory. 'Marrow,' corrected Magister Beechvale. 'Mallow,' squeaked Thornmallow."
And when the kids are in the library, trying to figure out how to defeat the dark wizard, they come upon a solution that seems to easy to Thornmallow. "'Besides, if we thought of it, why didn't the Magisters?' 'Probably because it is too simple and too easy,' Gorse said. 'Have you ever noticed how grown-ups try to complicate everything? Make it harder than it is? Like grown-up food, with too many sauces.' 'And grown-up clothes, with too many buttons,' added Tansy. 'And grown-up manners,' Will said. 'With too many shoulds and shouldn'ts'"
But this is not an overtly funny book. For me, it was an entertaining confection. But for my kid, it may well be a tome that, with its three great themes, will resonate deeply in his psyche;
Words mean something
When the head of the school has confronted the dark wizard and is deflated, he begins to tell a story, "And clearly, as Magister Hickory spoke, the very act of speaking the words, telling the story, re-creating another time, gave him life. Just as the words spoken by the awful Master had brought him a kind of death."
The Fine Line
"By 'black,' my prickly friend, I do not mean evil. Or wicked. I mean dark and deep, as in the black water of the deepest lakes. All those strongest of emotions that -- if used improperly -- tempt us to wicked, evil deeds. For example, ambition, which can become greed. Or desire, which can become gluttony. Or admiration, which can become envy. We are all made up of such deep and dark emotions, and as we grow more mature, we learn to control them."
Always try. Always.
And Jane Yolen is overly fond of italics. Just saying.
October 4, 2024
Yes, Jane Yolen’s 1991 children’s fantasy novel Wizard’s Hall does indeed feel a bit like J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series (or rather, I should instead point out that Wizard’s Hall and the Harry Potter series are somewhat alike in their superficialities, in their general set-ups), but definitely and in my opinion NOT IN ANY MANNER with enough similarities for Jane Yolen to have any reason whatsoever to even remotely accuse J.K. Rowling of actual plagiarism, of actively having copied large chunks of text from her Wizard’s Hall.
For honestly, truly and after now having read both the Harry Potter novels and Wizard’s Hall, the former are all much more in-depth and as such also considerably more interestingly and engagingly penned than Wizard’s Hall (which really does for the most part remain rather tediously on the surface so to speak and also has none of the intricate world and word building as well as very little of the humour and delightful irony that J.K. Rowling makes such ample and entertaining use of in her novels about Harry Potter and his friends, with even the main protagonist in Wizard’s Hall, with even Henry Thornmallow not reading so much like Harry Potter but more akin if I actually do want to find a link to Neville Longbottom). Therefore, only three and rather unconvincing stars for Wizard’s Hall (for a decent enough but ultimately still rather unspectacular, even mildly disappointing story) albeit I have indeed now lowered my general rating to but two starts, because well, I do personally feel both more than a bit annoyed at and frustrated by Jane Yolen’s pedestrian and silly attempts of trying to accuse J.K. Rowling of plagiarism (and indeed, this all sure to and for me also does tend to sound like either a case of sour grapes or Jane Yolen trying to make publicity for her obviously not as popular and also not as good Wizard’s Hall and which I certainly do find at best rather childish on her part).
For honestly, truly and after now having read both the Harry Potter novels and Wizard’s Hall, the former are all much more in-depth and as such also considerably more interestingly and engagingly penned than Wizard’s Hall (which really does for the most part remain rather tediously on the surface so to speak and also has none of the intricate world and word building as well as very little of the humour and delightful irony that J.K. Rowling makes such ample and entertaining use of in her novels about Harry Potter and his friends, with even the main protagonist in Wizard’s Hall, with even Henry Thornmallow not reading so much like Harry Potter but more akin if I actually do want to find a link to Neville Longbottom). Therefore, only three and rather unconvincing stars for Wizard’s Hall (for a decent enough but ultimately still rather unspectacular, even mildly disappointing story) albeit I have indeed now lowered my general rating to but two starts, because well, I do personally feel both more than a bit annoyed at and frustrated by Jane Yolen’s pedestrian and silly attempts of trying to accuse J.K. Rowling of plagiarism (and indeed, this all sure to and for me also does tend to sound like either a case of sour grapes or Jane Yolen trying to make publicity for her obviously not as popular and also not as good Wizard’s Hall and which I certainly do find at best rather childish on her part).
January 16, 2014
"Wizard's Hall", a novel by Jane Yolen, highlights the interesting journey of "student number one-thirteen." Henry, a small, thin, boy with untidy hair and brilliant green eyes, is going off to magic school. To any Harry Potter fan, this all sounds oddly familiar, and yet this book was published 6 years before the first book of Harry Potter. Regardless, Henry is out of place at his school. He is tone-deaf and non-magical, but his remarkable persistence makes him worthy to potentially defeat the mysterious quilted beast and its master. Words have incredible power at Wizard's Hall, so will Henry choose the right ones—or lose all of his friends trying?
My favorite part of the book is probably its consistently quirky nature. While I do not entirely agree with the writing style, I think that many aspects of the book are, although odd, fairly well put-together. The wordplay is interesting and leaves the reader pondering. Lastly, Jane clearly researched various fields before mixing them all together.
If you enjoyed the Harry Potter series and are interested in this intriguing but ill-mentioned predecessor, then you are only a short read away from discovering Henry's fate!
My favorite part of the book is probably its consistently quirky nature. While I do not entirely agree with the writing style, I think that many aspects of the book are, although odd, fairly well put-together. The wordplay is interesting and leaves the reader pondering. Lastly, Jane clearly researched various fields before mixing them all together.
If you enjoyed the Harry Potter series and are interested in this intriguing but ill-mentioned predecessor, then you are only a short read away from discovering Henry's fate!
June 15, 2016
Just a few days ago, Thornmallow was a simple boy named Henry who lived on a farm. Now he's a wizard who's just discovered that there's an evil heading right for his new school. With this threat to the school, also comes the threat to his new friends. And it's up to Thornmallow to help save the day. But how can he when the most he can seem to do is make messes with his magic?
Plot
The plot is very simple: a boy goes to a school to learn magic and he and the school have to deal with an evil wizard. Despite this less than unique basic plot, it’s executed very well, in my opinion. Things aren’t as stereotypical as one would think, and that makes it worth the short read. Things could have been made a bit more exciting, but it’s not a bad plot.
Writing
The writing was good. I must admit that there are a lot of lines in the book that are very quotable. But it’s not done in an obtrusive way, like the plot was made around the quotes. The quotes come at very organic moments and that’s what makes them so great. There are some parts where I’d have to read again because the wording was a bit awkward, but those were few and far in between.
Characters
I liked the characters, Thornmallow most of all. He had every reason to give up multiple times in the book but he drove on like I’m sure so many of us wish we could do sometimes. The book is more plot-heavy than character-heavy, so the reader only gets a taste of the characters.
Things I Liked
The thing I liked best about Wizard’s Hall was how Yolen went about with the “you must try” theme of the book. I find that a lot of authors and other such content creators, including artists, try to incorporate this into their works and fall very short. In the end it’s some surprise super power that saves the day, not the protagonist actually trying. But Thornmallow succeeded because he tried. Throughout the entire book he tried and though things didn’t always work out he still continued to try. I really liked that.
Things I Didn't Like
Despite its short length, Wizard’s Hall feels a bit dull. I love Thornmallow and the theme of the book, but I am eternally grateful Yolen didn’t drag the book out.
Diversity
There are a lot of female magisters, and Thornmallow makes friends with two girls, one of whom, Tansy, is black. That’s about it, though.
Overall
I’d recommend you ignore Yolen’s little joke about Harry Potter being copied from Wizard’s Hall. She even admits that Rowling probably never even read her book and the similarities are just because both books contain common magic tropes. Don’t come into this book thinking it’s anymore like Harry Potter is than Harry Potter is like The Lord of the Rings.
Besides that, Wizard’s Hall is a fun little magic book that is very interesting to boot. There’s a good theme in it and Thornmallow is a great protagonist.
Here is a link to my notes.
Plot
The plot is very simple: a boy goes to a school to learn magic and he and the school have to deal with an evil wizard. Despite this less than unique basic plot, it’s executed very well, in my opinion. Things aren’t as stereotypical as one would think, and that makes it worth the short read. Things could have been made a bit more exciting, but it’s not a bad plot.
Writing
The writing was good. I must admit that there are a lot of lines in the book that are very quotable. But it’s not done in an obtrusive way, like the plot was made around the quotes. The quotes come at very organic moments and that’s what makes them so great. There are some parts where I’d have to read again because the wording was a bit awkward, but those were few and far in between.
Characters
I liked the characters, Thornmallow most of all. He had every reason to give up multiple times in the book but he drove on like I’m sure so many of us wish we could do sometimes. The book is more plot-heavy than character-heavy, so the reader only gets a taste of the characters.
Things I Liked
The thing I liked best about Wizard’s Hall was how Yolen went about with the “you must try” theme of the book. I find that a lot of authors and other such content creators, including artists, try to incorporate this into their works and fall very short. In the end it’s some surprise super power that saves the day, not the protagonist actually trying. But Thornmallow succeeded because he tried. Throughout the entire book he tried and though things didn’t always work out he still continued to try. I really liked that.
Things I Didn't Like
Despite its short length, Wizard’s Hall feels a bit dull. I love Thornmallow and the theme of the book, but I am eternally grateful Yolen didn’t drag the book out.
Diversity
There are a lot of female magisters, and Thornmallow makes friends with two girls, one of whom, Tansy, is black. That’s about it, though.
Overall
I’d recommend you ignore Yolen’s little joke about Harry Potter being copied from Wizard’s Hall. She even admits that Rowling probably never even read her book and the similarities are just because both books contain common magic tropes. Don’t come into this book thinking it’s anymore like Harry Potter is than Harry Potter is like The Lord of the Rings.
Besides that, Wizard’s Hall is a fun little magic book that is very interesting to boot. There’s a good theme in it and Thornmallow is a great protagonist.
Here is a link to my notes.
March 2, 2011
I picked up this book after reading an article about books from which J.K. Rowling had stolen Harry Potter. Jane Yolen was the one author who didn't seem so overtly angry but had simply said "If Rowling wants to give me part of her profits, I won't say 'no.'" I thought this was kind of funny and assumed her book would be too.
It was not. It was also not good. Yes, I know that it's a kids' book, and I'm in no way claiming that kids couldn't possibly enjoy it. But that's not what makes Harry Potter successful. The Harry Potter series is well thought out, fast paced and gripping. Wizard's Hall seems like it was written in a day. There's very little character development and the plot reads like it was written by someone who knows that events have to keep happening but doesn't know that things also have to happen in between to make the story flow.
Yes, the main character is friends with a red-headed boy and a smart girl. Yes, there is some sort of prophecy. But seriously, Harry Potter isn't simply good because it uses the plot conventions of a million other fantasy books and it is annoying to be duped into reading something so very mediocre by generally baseless comparisons.
It was not. It was also not good. Yes, I know that it's a kids' book, and I'm in no way claiming that kids couldn't possibly enjoy it. But that's not what makes Harry Potter successful. The Harry Potter series is well thought out, fast paced and gripping. Wizard's Hall seems like it was written in a day. There's very little character development and the plot reads like it was written by someone who knows that events have to keep happening but doesn't know that things also have to happen in between to make the story flow.
Yes, the main character is friends with a red-headed boy and a smart girl. Yes, there is some sort of prophecy. But seriously, Harry Potter isn't simply good because it uses the plot conventions of a million other fantasy books and it is annoying to be duped into reading something so very mediocre by generally baseless comparisons.
March 9, 2020
I wanted to like this book. I really did.
The first part was interesting, but it all went by too fast, no world building, no description to speak of, no nothing. Henry keeps "finding" himself places and does things without even realising what he's done, and yet it all works out fine-fine. And it only covers about three days, anyway--not enough time to create a world.
Not only that. The farther this mercifully short book goes, the darker it gets, and I found the ending flat-down unpleasant. Call me old fashioned--goodness knows I am--but there it is.
Reading this book was like biting into a filled chocolate and finding out the middle is not coconut creme but White-Out, and the gritty stuff is not praline but ground chalk.
I've read somewhere that Yolen accused Rowling of stealing her ideas for the Potter series. I don't know and I don't care, but you can see why she thought so, though Rowling did a much better job.
Hold me someone, I never thought I'd say that.
I can't shelve this for children because of the dark, dark denouement. I really can't recommend it for anyone, particularly not anyone I actually like.
The first part was interesting, but it all went by too fast, no world building, no description to speak of, no nothing. Henry keeps "finding" himself places and does things without even realising what he's done, and yet it all works out fine-fine. And it only covers about three days, anyway--not enough time to create a world.
Not only that. The farther this mercifully short book goes, the darker it gets, and I found the ending flat-down unpleasant. Call me old fashioned--goodness knows I am--but there it is.
Reading this book was like biting into a filled chocolate and finding out the middle is not coconut creme but White-Out, and the gritty stuff is not praline but ground chalk.
I've read somewhere that Yolen accused Rowling of stealing her ideas for the Potter series. I don't know and I don't care, but you can see why she thought so, though Rowling did a much better job.
Hold me someone, I never thought I'd say that.
I can't shelve this for children because of the dark, dark denouement. I really can't recommend it for anyone, particularly not anyone I actually like.
July 15, 2020
Cute, short book. I thought the magical world and humor were interesting and fun! I like the idea of the traditional "names have power" dynamic, and that magic in this story is based upon wordplay, and that the wizard's given names are all nature-based and tell something about the person's personality.
Thornmallow/Henry was adorable and awkward and everything an Unchosen one ought to be. I felt bad for him nearly the whole time because his life was so hard and confusing and he's still itty bitty. I loved that he's tone-deaf, but he tries hard, and he at least has enough self-confidence to correct people when they call him the wrong name lol.
This book is definitely for younger readers, or people who just want a light, fun break from the denser fantasy, but that doesn't make it lesser. It was a fun story.
Thornmallow/Henry was adorable and awkward and everything an Unchosen one ought to be. I felt bad for him nearly the whole time because his life was so hard and confusing and he's still itty bitty. I loved that he's tone-deaf, but he tries hard, and he at least has enough self-confidence to correct people when they call him the wrong name lol.
This book is definitely for younger readers, or people who just want a light, fun break from the denser fantasy, but that doesn't make it lesser. It was a fun story.
August 8, 2015
For category: a book with magic
I found "Wizard's Hall" for fifty cents at a book sale and picked it up simply because I was intrigued by the cover. I had absolutely no idea what it was about (since the back flap came all stickered and unreadable) and no expectations for it, so I was pleasantly surprised when I opened it up and began reading. I fell in love with this little book! It's a lovely story of a charming, reluctant hero whose simple courage and determination win out in the face of powerful magic.
I found "Wizard's Hall" for fifty cents at a book sale and picked it up simply because I was intrigued by the cover. I had absolutely no idea what it was about (since the back flap came all stickered and unreadable) and no expectations for it, so I was pleasantly surprised when I opened it up and began reading. I fell in love with this little book! It's a lovely story of a charming, reluctant hero whose simple courage and determination win out in the face of powerful magic.
January 20, 2016
4.5/5. Always really liked this book. Certainly children's fiction but the writing is good. I only wish it were longer or that there were more in this series. I hope my friends enjoy reading it as much as I did.
March 2, 2016
This was a really fun and cute book for kids. I enjoy it a lot and know I would have loved it as a kid. I do wish that the book was longer and more developed. I felt like it was just very basic with what was happening and I would've liked more details. It's always funny to read books like this and see how similar they are to the premise of Harry Potter. I'm sure jk got some inspiration from this one.
September 5, 2016
I read this book after hearing multiple times that JK Rowling, quote, "ripped it off" to create Harry Potter. After reading it I truly don't believe that's the case, though there are some striking similarities here and there.
That said, the book is good on its own merits. It is pretty sparse, under 150 pages, but Yolen managed to write a strong beginning, middle and end within those pages. Good stuff, if not mind-blowingly so.
That said, the book is good on its own merits. It is pretty sparse, under 150 pages, but Yolen managed to write a strong beginning, middle and end within those pages. Good stuff, if not mind-blowingly so.
May 28, 2020
An imaginative tale of on odd school for magic, in which the greatest power comes from understanding one's true nature.
October 27, 2007
Doesn't feel fully realized--like it's still in draft form.
December 1, 2008
Ok this is a children's book but it was my fave book as a little kid. Also the first Harry Potter book is a total rip-off of this story, so I felt the need to add it.
October 23, 2024
A beautifully-written short adventure in the world of magic and I'm rating it accordingly, despite being too old to really appreciate it.
Like A Wizard of Earthsea, it refers to the power of True names which I believe is a religious concept. Also I remember an ancient Persian tradition of whispering a name into a newborn's ear that others weren't supposed to know or use, mentioned in Shahnameh.
July 17, 2011
First of all I'd like to say that this not like Harry Potter. The only thing that's the same is that he goes to a wizard school and has to fight an evil wizard, oh, and he has two best friends, but never once during the book did I think, oh, this is kind of like Harry Potter. The writing was good, but everything happened really fast, I felt like I was walking through a whirlwind of information while reading this. Before I continue, I should probably mention that I am prejudiced, I am a huge fan of Harry Potter and I started the book thinking it would similar, I am also a good six years older than the age group this book is aimed at. The writing and story line couldn't compare with Harry Potter. The writing didn't hold as much emotion and the descriptions were a little flat, and, as I mentioned earlier, the plot developed a little fast. But, for the length of the book, I am surprised how well the plot is developed. Also, if you or your child/brother/sister is interested in reading the Harry Potter books, but feel like it might still be too scary, I would recommend starting with this book as it's a quick, easy read, and it has some of the same elements as Harry Potter, like a magic school and an evil wizard, yet different writing style, and the short length, make it not as potentially frightening as the Harry Potter books. As to whatever rumors or drama that is going on that J.K. Rowling stole her idea from this book, it's possible, but other than the most basic ideas, the books are so different that even if J.K. stole the idea, she has taken it and turned it into something that is completely her own.
December 28, 2011
Written in a style that reminded me of two of Tolkien's shorter pieces, Farmer Giles Of Ham and Smith Of Wootton Major (stories that I treasure as much as his major epic), Wizard's Hall is a folksy, magical tale of a young boy who arrives, marked by destiny, at a school for wizards. Similarities to Those Books can be found and have been remarked on by Yolen herself. To accuse of her of stretching a point or being filled with bile on this account is itself a case of stretching a point. This little book may not have the soap-operatic density or teen-drama pangs of that series, but it packs in a world of wonder, wisdom and wit into its 130 or so pages and tells a refreshing story of a boy who is not, after all, a great wizard, but is still the one who tilts the scales of destiny in the right direction. Because he tries.
July 8, 2019
Thornmallow, formerly Henry, is the 113th student at Wizard’s hall, and he’s barely arrived when a dark wizard and a terrifying beast threaten to destroy the school. And Thornmallow may not even have any talent for wizardry.
This story had a fun mix of school story and fairy tale, and it packed a lot of symbols, meaning, and emotion into its short chapters. The villain was quite scary, and the fact that the teachers of Wizards Hall seemed pretty hopelessly outmatched added to the tension in the climax.
This story had a fun mix of school story and fairy tale, and it packed a lot of symbols, meaning, and emotion into its short chapters. The villain was quite scary, and the fact that the teachers of Wizards Hall seemed pretty hopelessly outmatched added to the tension in the climax.
July 28, 2018
Very Harry Potter but in a more fantastical world at over half the size (and not a knock-off - it released years before!). There really wasn't any tension so the climax didn't move me, and I didn't get the whole quilt beast and the villain's motivation, but the writing was playful, the story interesting, and despite how short the book was I felt I got to know the school, world and characters surprisingly well - Yolen can tell a great tale with few words. Read for a quick, magical fix.
March 28, 2024
Wonderful little novel, full of hope and trying!
June 23, 2011
While I have great memories of this book from my childhood, it really is a children's book. It doesn't have extra layers or deep meanings... everything can be found on the surface of the book. It's an easy, fun read, with a clever plot line, but it isn't challenging or particularly stimulating.
It follows a little boy named Henry whose mother abruptly sends him away to a wizard's school without any warning or preparation. When Henry arrives, he is promptly given a new name and it sent off to his new life in the school with very little explanation to buffer him. He is assigned two other first-year students who are to be his guides until he figures out how to navigate the school.
Henry, now named Thornmallow, quickly discovers that he doesn't have any magical talent at all. Because the magic in this particular novel is accomplished through singing, and Thornmallow is tone-deaf, he feels constantly out of place. The only thing that helps him is the mantra he repeats to himself "I only have to try."
As the book progresses, Thornmallow and his two friends uncover a threat to the school and are the only students to be let in on the problem that has all of the teachers trembling in fear. The young children find the fate of their school resting squarely on their shoulders.
It follows a little boy named Henry whose mother abruptly sends him away to a wizard's school without any warning or preparation. When Henry arrives, he is promptly given a new name and it sent off to his new life in the school with very little explanation to buffer him. He is assigned two other first-year students who are to be his guides until he figures out how to navigate the school.
Henry, now named Thornmallow, quickly discovers that he doesn't have any magical talent at all. Because the magic in this particular novel is accomplished through singing, and Thornmallow is tone-deaf, he feels constantly out of place. The only thing that helps him is the mantra he repeats to himself "I only have to try."
As the book progresses, Thornmallow and his two friends uncover a threat to the school and are the only students to be let in on the problem that has all of the teachers trembling in fear. The young children find the fate of their school resting squarely on their shoulders.
October 6, 2022
Short, classic, well-written as expected for Jane Yolen. Easily readable in one sitting. Lightly recommendable to children of all ages, and a much easier take on the clueless youngster entering wizard school than some other tomes. It's easily digested and self-contained.
My favourite part is when the main character, age 11, mentions wizardry to his mother in passing as a potential career, she immediately responds, "That's the one," and packs his bag and shoves him out the door. I am sorely tempted to do the same with my own children.
Ignore the reports that Yolen claimed Rowling "stole" from this book. I looked for the original statements, and clearly Yolen was merely lamenting the fickle publishing world in which no one was delivering wheelbarrows of cash to her own door when has been writing children's fantasy for decades. Besides, everyone knows J.K. Rowling actually stole all her ideas from N.K. Stouffer.
My favourite part is when the main character, age 11, mentions wizardry to his mother in passing as a potential career, she immediately responds, "That's the one," and packs his bag and shoves him out the door. I am sorely tempted to do the same with my own children.
Ignore the reports that Yolen claimed Rowling "stole" from this book. I looked for the original statements, and clearly Yolen was merely lamenting the fickle publishing world in which no one was delivering wheelbarrows of cash to her own door when has been writing children's fantasy for decades. Besides, everyone knows J.K. Rowling actually stole all her ideas from N.K. Stouffer.
March 23, 2009
I read this book after seeing a comment that it preceded Harry Potter, with suspicions that maybe JKR had stolen the idea. Wizard's Hall does have similarities, but it's a nice quick read, not an epic. And nobody could ever mistake the one for the other. Ideas are like flowers -- just because one rose resembles another doesn't mean either is a clone. The HP series is excellent. But Jane Yolen is also a prolific and talented children's book author. I recommend checking out her work.
June 24, 2017
Before there was Harry Potter, there was Henry Thornmallow.
Seriously, the whole time I was reading Harry Potter I kept thinking this is very familiar, especially the first book. It's not exactly the same, and of course there's a whole lot more to the Harry Potter series than to this single book, but it's very similar. I think that's probably a part of why I loved the Harry Potter books, because this was one of my favorite books growing up.
Seriously, the whole time I was reading Harry Potter I kept thinking this is very familiar, especially the first book. It's not exactly the same, and of course there's a whole lot more to the Harry Potter series than to this single book, but it's very similar. I think that's probably a part of why I loved the Harry Potter books, because this was one of my favorite books growing up.
January 21, 2020
Only superficially like HP (they have tropes in common with many other stories) and is also superficial in all respects. I like the sketches of the magic system, the characters, the world... but I really wanted the book to be at least twice as long.
Btw, it's illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman but is not worth seeking out from desire to seek more of her work.
Btw, it's illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman but is not worth seeking out from desire to seek more of her work.
August 22, 2024
Not as enchanting or mysterious as I had hoped, but very fun, and I appreciated the friendships, Henry's timid but determined character, and the encouragement to try one's best even when things seem too hard. And at first the concept of a quilted beast seemed ludicrous, but actually the way it feeds on people's emotions, whether good or bad, was an interesting concept. And I loved Henry's mother's sayings sprinkled throughout the story.
August 16, 2011
A fun very sweet little read.
Yes, the Harry Potter thing. So, I think Yolen is an excellent writer, and I agree that J.K. Rowling was influenced a LOT (too much?) by this book. But I feel they are practically different genres -- this one reads more like a fable, and delightfully so. The HP books are more character dramas, with the magic stuff as a fun almost unimportant background.
Yes, the Harry Potter thing. So, I think Yolen is an excellent writer, and I agree that J.K. Rowling was influenced a LOT (too much?) by this book. But I feel they are practically different genres -- this one reads more like a fable, and delightfully so. The HP books are more character dramas, with the magic stuff as a fun almost unimportant background.
July 11, 2007
A book about a boarding school for young wizards long before You-Know-Who: it also has the advantage of being much shorter.
June 5, 2024
Small but mighty.
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