Wizard's Hall

One of the most magical books I've ever read! Though not as well-known or as generally well-liked as Harry Potter, I believe this book is superior. Its prose and descriptions are lyrical and beautiful, and the hero is endearingly insecure. Henry is sent to "Wizard's Hall" by his mother, to become a wizard. Renamed "Thornmallow" (prickly on the outside, squishy inside), he soon makes a name for himself--he swamps a classroom in snow, inadvertantly yells during an orientation speech, and so on. But he soon discovers that he is one of 113 students, who are there to defeat the evil wizard Nettle and his enormous Beast. But Thornmallow doesn't think he can do it.This is a shorter but much more INTENSE book than most wizardly tales. Its shortness is made up for by the sheer magic of Wizard's Hall--moving pictures, lizards swimming in the soup (which can be changed by older students), and the constellation ceiling that talks!I love Thornmallow, he's so HUMAN. Who among us hasn't completely embarrassed themselves in front of a room of people? Or botched up something over and over? I also love his friends Gorse and Tansy (yeah, everyone has plant names) and the teachers. Not to mention Doctor Mo (PRICELESS! Simply priceless)Read the book! You will NOT be disappointed...

This story is about an 11-year-old boy, Henry, whose mother sends him to wizard camp. Overall he is not a very good wizard but he tries very hard to become a good wizard. All the kids at Wizard's Hall give him the nickname Thornmallow-prickly on the outside and squishy on the inside. However, Henry does seem to make many friends. As it turns out, he is special because he is the 113th student to enroll in Wizard's Hall. Being the 113th makes him important because it is now his responsibility to save Wizard's Hall from the evil "magister" and his monster dragon. Special Note For teachers: This is a very good book to show students how trying hard does pay off in the end. I think most students will enjoy reading Wizard's Hall because it has a lot of imagery and the whole magical aspect of it is good at holding a child's attention. Also at 133 pages it is a quick read. On A Personal Note: I really enjoyed reading the book. It will be on the bookshelf in my classroom

I read Wizard's Hall four years ago, and have been searching for it ever since. I loved the evil Nettle, the adorable Thornmallow, and the shrunken wizard in its cage (I can't remember its name at the moment). This book operated on my level, and I connected. Upon reading the Harry Potter books, I was reminded of the flavor of Wizard's Hall, but it still wasn't right. I would never spend four years searching for the Harry Potter books, but Yolen writes with a special sparkle that makes this book well worth it. Bravo to Yolen, she writes right!

Jane Yolen has written many charming and evocative tales of wonder over the years and now with all the well-deserved fuss over J.K. Rowling and her Harry Potters, fans young and old of the genre will love Yolen's 1991 effort, WIZARD'S HALL. In many ways similar to the Potters, this short, very quick read with Yolen's usual well-defined and entirely likeable characters and fast-paced,not overly complex plot, and typical wit and humor are as ever, right on target. Thornmallow, his friends, and enemies are all cut from the same rich fabric as the other grand mages of literature from Merlin to ubiquitous Potter. A great break between or after the Rowling books, without disappointment. Aimed at preteens (but as usual with Yolen, with some more advanced vocabulary thrown in --- the reading teacher in me just has to love an author to actually tries to expand vocabulary while endlessly entertaining her audience), this should not be overlooked by older mavens of humourous fantasy. (There's also some ethics education going on here, but Yolen is never pedantic, so, sh! don't tell anybody!)

This book is a little like the Harry Potter books but not as long. It is interesting, exciting, fun, and a little creepy. As the 113th student enrolled in the Wizard's Hall young Henry (also called Thornmallow) has to defeat a magical patchwork beast and it's master. Will he be able to do it? It is a VERY good book, take my word for it!