HP and similarities to other books

[wibble_flibble]

No: HPFGUIDX 37041

[Mod note -- edited title. Welcome, Avital! --John, Mod]

Hi everyone, 

I am a grown up (well, -ish ;o) Harry Potter fan who heard about this 
group from John. I hope this has not been discussed before, and if 
so, that you will humour me a little and pretend it is new to you!

Last weekend I read "The Secret of Platform Thirteen" by Eva 
Ibbotson, and was quite overcome by the similarities to Harry Potter 
and the Philosopher's stone, mostly in the way of characters.

At first I though "What a swizz, pinching her ideas from Rowling" 
then I realised the book was written two years before Harry Potter 
book 1. 

So, has anyone else read this book, noticed the "coincidences" and if 
so, what do you think of it.

By the way, I found there were also a couple of very similar ideas to 
Eoin Colfer's Artemis Fowl too.

Looking forward to your response.

love
avital
xxx