Wizard's hall
Record details
- ISBN: 0152020853 :
-
Physical Description:
viii, 133 p. ; 18 cm.
print - Edition: 1st ed.
- Publisher: San Diego : Magic Carpet Books, 1999.
Content descriptions
Summary, etc.: | A young apprentice wizard saves the wizard's training hall by trusting and believing in himself. |
Search for related items by subject
Subject: | Wizards Fiction Magic Fiction Perseverance (Ethics) Fiction |
Genre: | Fantasy fiction. |
Topic Heading: | Wizardry-fict. |
Available copies
- 4 of 4 copies available at Bibliomation. (Show)
- 1 of 1 copy available at Killingly Library.
Holds
- 0 current holds with 4 total copies.
Location | Call Number / Copy Notes | Barcode | Shelving Location | Status | Due Date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Killingly Library | j Yol (Text) | 34040101966956 | Juvenile Fiction | Available | - |
School Library Journal Review
Wizard's Hall
School Library Journal
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Gr 3-6-- An experienced storyteller blends wizardry and enchantment in fluid, graceful prose. Young Thornmallow, ``prickly on the outside and squishy within,'' leaves his ``dear Ma'' and follows his smudgy nose to Wizard's Hall, where walls move, portraits talk, and clothes clean themselves. Disconcerted by the atmosphere of enchantment, Thornmallow nevertheless makes friends with his fellow apprentices; struggles with such classes as Cursing, Spelling, and Names; and ponders his destiny as the 113th student at Wizard's Hall. It is evident that he is inept and without talent, although he means well and he tries. Yet the Magisters welcome Thornmallow as their last hope to defeat the evil Master Nettle, who threatens Wizard's Hall with his terrifying Quilted Beast. While the happy ending is never in doubt, readers will share Thornmallow's surprise at the discovery of his own unique strengths. This school of wizardry is a jollier, warmer place than LeGuin's Roke Island in A Wizard of Earthsea (Parnassus, 1968) and less competitive than McCaffrey's Harper's Hall in Dragonsinger (Atheneum, 1977). Drawing familiar ingredients from the cauldron of story, Yolen serves up a light, palatable brew that will satisfy younger readers with a taste for entertaining fantasy. --Margaret A. Chang, Buxton School, Williamstown, MA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publishers Weekly Review
Wizard's Hall
Publishers Weekly
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
The instant Henry casually ``mentions wizardry to his dear ma,'' she packs him off to Wizard's Hall, with little more than a change of clothes and the advice that, whatever he might encounter, ``it only matters that you try.'' Once at Wizard's Hall, Henry discovers that his magical talents are at best limited, but that even so, he must fulfill an ancient prophecy and help overthrow a powerful, evil wizard. Although he wants to give up, Henry--now dubbed Thornmallow--perseveres and tries his hardest. Wizard's Hall has it all: fairy tale wonder, baffling mystery, captivating magic, edge-of-the-seat suspense, wry humor and a well-taught moral. 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. Ages 8-12. (May) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
The Horn Book Review
Wizard's Hall
The Horn Book
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
A slight tale tells of young Thornmallow, a new apprentice to wizard's school, whose cleverness and determination save his schoolmates and teachers from an evil wizard. Pleasant, but ephemeral. From HORN BOOK 1991, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
Wizard's Hall
Kirkus Reviews
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Latest and 113th recruit at a school for wizards, Henry is given a new name (Thornmallow: prickly outside but ``squishy within'') and is soon making friends and discovering that-- despite a becoming humility and lamentable tone-deafness--he has an unusual, as yet uncharted, power to make magical things occur. This is fortunate, because the school is under threat from a disaffected wizard who used to be the 14th ``magister'' (teacher) and his monster, a patchwork dragon constructed from negative traits and entire personalities. Piecing together information from the library with his other scant knowledge, Thornmallow manages to stop the beast just before it adds him to its grisly bulk, then rescue the rest of the already-devoured school. Yolen skillfully blends the traditions of fantasy and school story, giving her theme a special twist: Thornmallow is not the expected powerful enchanter but an ``enhancer'' who makes his contribution as a catalyst for others' magic and whose heroism consists of trying hard and not giving up. Briskly told, with plenty of engaging humor and wordplay--plus the unique, truly gruesome beast (splendidly colorful on Trina Schart Hyman's jacket, but not nearly so scary as in the text). Good, imaginative fun. (Fiction. 9-12)
BookList Review
Wizard's Hall
Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Gr. 4-6. "Talent don't matter . . . It only matters that you try," states 11-year-old Henry's mother as she packs him off to Wizard's Hall, where he's admitted and renamed Thornmallow ("prickly on the outside, squishy within"). Thornmallow is the last student admitted, number 113, the exact number the wizards need to stand up to The Quilted Beast and its evil master. Unfortunately, the novice wizard can't seem to get any spells right, not to mention Changes and Transformations, but he means well and he tries. As it turns out, that is exactly what is needed when the 113 students and 13 wizards confront their nemesis in the Great Hall. A simply told story filled more with whimsical humor than a true sense of dread, though the fast-paced action surges to a satisfying climax. A tale that may well introduce readers to the fantasy genre as well as appeal to established fans. ~--Sally Estes