This book about a young boy-wizard at a magical school predates Harry Potter by years! Coincidence?

One of the biggest book series of all time, and one that eventually turned into some of the biggest blockbusters in movie history, is the 'Harry Potter' series. The books and movies feature a tale of a young boy who learns his true calling as a powerful wizard at a magic school in a far-off land.

However, things may not be all kosher in Hogwarts, since there is a book that closely resembles young Potter's tale but predates it by eight years!

Jane Yolen wrote a book called 'Wizard's Hall' that follows a young boy named Henry (later renamed Thornmallow when he reaches the school) who is an inept wizard. He learns to become the most powerful sorcerer when he attends the magic school Wizard's Hall. The school has staff pictures around the campus that move. A wicked wizard used to teach there but is now shrouded in mystery, much like the setting of the Potter series.

Scholastic stopped printing the paperback edition of the book just a year before it started turning out the 'Harry Potter' series. Harcourt later picked up Yolen's book and reprinted it a short while after. The book was actually nominated for a 1992-93 Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Award. It's like a bad case of deja vu!

(Source)