Wizard's Hall
{{Short description|1991 fantasy novel by Jane Yolen}}
{{all plot|date=April 2014}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox book
| name = Wizard's Hall
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| image = Wizh.jpg
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| author = Jane Yolen
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| country = United States
| language = English
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| publisher = Harcourt
| pub_date = June 1991
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| isbn = 0-15-298132-2
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Wizard's Hall is a 1991 fantasy novel by Jane Yolen. The Harry Potter series, which began publishing six years later, has many similarities. However, Yolen believes the similarities are coincidental.{{cite web|url=https://www.wired.com/2013/01/geeks-guide-jane-yolen/|title=Author Jane Yolen Talks Book Banning and Harry Potter|date=January 23, 2013|work=Wired|accessdate=10 April 2014}}
Characters and story
The mother of shy Henry sends him to Wizard's Hall where he can train to become a wizard. At the Hall he is renamed Thornmallow, suggesting that he is prickly on the outside yet soft inside. He becomes quite conspicuous as he covers a classroom in snow, yells during an orientation speech and has other embarrassing moments. He soon learns that he is one of 113 students who are being prepared to confront the evil wizard Nettle and his huge Beast. Thornmallow feels he may not be equal to the challenge.
Reception
Publishers Weekly were fans of the children's book and wrote "this captivating package is neatly tied up by the marvelous bow of Yolen's ( Owl Moon ; Dove Isabeau ) masterful prose, with a few lilting verses thrown in."{{Cite web |title=Wizard's Hall by Jane Yolen |url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/9780152981327 |access-date=2025-04-01 |website=www.publishersweekly.com}}
While Kirkus Reviews commended the author by stating that the story was "[b]riskly told, with plenty of engaging humor and wordplay."{{Cite book |url=https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/jane-yolen/wizards-hall/ |title=WIZARD'S HALL {{!}} Kirkus Reviews |language=en}}
References
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