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Wizard's Hall Audiobook
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(3.02) - 817 listener ratings
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![Owl Moon [Mandarin Edition] Audibook, by Jane Yolen](https://images.audiobookstore.com/c/e/ce56/ce56-square-240.webp)
Publisher Description
An inept wizard-in-training is the only one who can save his classmates from the terrible sorcery that threatens to devour their magical school Acclaimed master fantasist Jane Yolen imagines an academic world of wonders where paintings speak, walls move, monsters are made real, and absolutely anything can happen—as she introduces readers to a hero as hapless as the legendary Merlin is powerful. It was Henry’s dear ma who decided to send him off to Wizard’s Hall to study sorcery, despite the boy’s apparent lack of magical talent. He has barely stepped through the gates of the magnificent school when he is dubbed Thornmallow (“prickly on the outside, squishy within”). Still, regardless of his penchant for turning even the simplest spell into a disaster, Thornmallow’s teachers remain kind and patient, and he soon has a cadre of loyal, loving friends. But there is something that no one is telling the boy: As the 113th student to enroll in the wondrous academy, Thornmallow has an awesome and frightening duty to fulfill—and failure will mean the destruction of Wizard’s Hall and everyone within its walls.
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"I really enjoyed this and think Sam will too. it is sort of abwatered down Harry Potter- wizard school, bad wizard who must be defeated, etc. I think some of the words are a little hard for her but I am planning on letting her read it while I am next to her and can help her with the tougher words."
— Natalie (4 out of 5 stars)
Awards
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Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award
Wizard's Hall Listener Reviews
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" This was a nice little book for a short break on a Sunday afternoon. There's not a lot of lead-up or character building - the story really gets straight to the point - but it is well-written and the protagonist is one that you really want to cheer for. "
— Karen, 2/19/2014 -
" This was a great little book. If you love fantasy and you're ever in the need for a fast read, I highly reccomend it. The story had a hint of Harry Potter, but it has plenty of it's own original elements too. "
— Weena, 2/15/2014 -
" A very fun story, a very short story. If you have finished Harry Potter and want something else close to that this is the book to pick up. "
— Annamarie, 2/9/2014 -
" A wonderful short read -- great for 10 year olds and really fun for me too. This is really different from Harry Potter, but the character undergoes a similar, satisfying transformation in the face of obstacles. "
— Erin, 2/4/2014 -
" I was surprised by how much I liked this book. At first it seemed like any other book about wizards, but it isn't. It's a cute story with memorable characters. "
— Jordan, 1/29/2014 -
" It was a good little story. "
— A, 1/15/2014 -
" A delightful book written by a wonderful author long before the chronicles of Harry Potter. I hope Rowling gave credit to Yolen for the idea... "
— Jan, 1/7/2014 -
" Doesn't feel fully realized--like it's still in draft form. "
— Ginger, 12/29/2013 -
" Loved the story. It felt unfinished. I could have read so much more. "
— Amanda, 11/15/2013 -
" Before there was Harry Potter, there was Thornmallow. I remember this story a little and how much I loved it. I remember even having a dream about it! It's a good story for adolescents. "
— Amanda, 10/29/2013 -
" OH NO IT'S LIKE HARRY POTTER and I loved it. "
— Rachel, 10/12/2013 -
" If you need more Harry Potter ... this is a good way to get a little fix. ^_^ "
— Allanna, 9/5/2013 -
" learning that the value of a person is not what they can do but what their presence enhances in others "
— Theresa, 5/27/2013 -
" An imaginative tale of on odd school for magic, in which the greatest power comes from understanding one's true nature. "
— Wealhtheow, 1/29/2013 -
" A nice story. I realy liked how they delt with living up to the expectaions of others and the pressue that puts on a person. Its also good insperation for anyone who has ever felt unequal to a task. "
— Lokien, 3/27/2012 -
" Interesting, but written for an even younger audience than I expected! Not especially enjoyable for me, but good to recommend to young readers who don't need a lot of character development and detail. "
— Robin, 3/27/2012 -
" If the author had let this marinade for another ten years, she might've ended up with HP. As it is, there's little glimmers of what could have been, but it's short, lacks depth, and doesn't have a fifth of the detail. Judged on its own, though, it's a lovely story, with a lovely message. "
— Katie, 3/1/2012 -
" One of the reasons I couldn't get through more than one Harry Potter book - I read this book first and it was so much better that I just got angry at the success of Harry Potter. I don't dislike Harry Potter that much. I just wish that more people had read this book first. "
— Kate, 10/17/2011 -
" This must have been the spark for Rowlings' book. "
— Rachel, 3/17/2011 -
" A delightful book written by a wonderful author long before the chronicles of Harry Potter. I hope Rowling gave credit to Yolen for the idea... "
— Jan, 2/12/2011 -
" I really didn't like this book enough to recommend. It was so quick, that there was no time for plot development, or character development. I guess it would be ok for 9-10 year olds, but definitely no older. "
— Glynis, 12/1/2010 -
" A lovely story published years before Harry Potter in which a boy who is unaware of his magical powers goes to wizard school and saves the day. Many, many similarities to Potter which makes me wonder if J.K. Rowling read this book before she started her own. Not a long book but well written. "
— Mel, 8/23/2010 -
" Why am I drawn to kids magic books? <br/>It had an interesting sequence about yin/yang in it. <br/>The "try" thing was horrible though. <br/>Good/easy read. "
— Twyla, 8/16/2010 -
" This is the forerunner to the Harry Potter books and Rowling should cut Jane Yolen a huge check. Thornmallow is an endearing little guy who learns to accept his wizardry by trusting his instinct. "
— Helen, 3/7/2010 -
" Loved the story. It felt unfinished. I could have read so much more. "
— Amanda, 3/1/2010 -
" A nice story. I realy liked how they delt with living up to the expectaions of others and the pressue that puts on a person. Its also good insperation for anyone who has ever felt unequal to a task. "
— Lokien, 10/18/2009 -
" A wonderful short read -- great for 10 year olds and really fun for me too. This is really different from Harry Potter, but the character undergoes a similar, satisfying transformation in the face of obstacles. "
— Erin, 9/25/2009 -
" Interesting, but written for an even younger audience than I expected! Not especially enjoyable for me, but good to recommend to young readers who don't need a lot of character development and detail. "
— Robin, 7/27/2009 -
" Would be good for younger Harry Potter fans. "
— vorthys, 4/12/2009
About Jane Yolen
Jane Yolen has been called the Hans Christian Andersen of America and the Aesop of the twentieth century. She has written over three hundred books, including Owl Moon and The Devil’s Arithmetic. She splits her time between Massachusetts and Scotland.