This is one of the most enjoyable books I have ever read. I never heard of it growing up, and my parents were diligent in providing us with the classics. Even today most of the customers in my bookstore don't know it exists. This is a crime, because it belongs right up there with Alice in Wonderland and The Wind in the Willows. It's a fantasy about a bored little boy who gets into a magic car and goes through the phantom tollbooth into a land of adventure. He must rescue the princesses Rhyme and Reason to restore order to the kingdom. It is chock full of extremely clever puns, because in this world things are really taken literally. You can eat your own words, visit the Island of Conclusions (which can only be reached by jumping to it) and so many more that I won't spoil it by telling you about them. I often found myself laughing out loud. Sure, it's considered a children's book and kids love it, but don't let that put you off if you're an adult. It's timeless, and everyone can enjoy it. A friend who's a librarian recommended it to me, and I'll be forever grateful!

"Can you help me?"
"Help you! You must help yourself," the dog replied, carefully winding himself with his left hind leg. "I suppose you know why you got stuck."
"I guess I just wasn't thinking," said Milo.
"PRECISELY," shouted the dog as his alarm went off again. "Now you know what you must do."
"I'm afraid I don't," admitted Milo, feeling quite stupid.
"Well," continued the watchdog impatiently, "since you got here by not thinking, it seems reasonable to expect that, in order to get out, you must start thinking."

A very very good book. In the book, everything is basically literal. For example, the dog, shown on the front cover, named Tock, is a literal "watch dog". A very funny part is where the main characters, Milo and Tock, are in Dictionopolis and they meet the King of Dictionopolis' cabinet. When the Earl (from the Cabinet) said something was "as easy as falling off a log" he actually fell off a log himself. I think that if he had said "easy as pie", a pie would have splatted in his face. Ptbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb!!
I think it's also very funny when all three, Milo, Tock, and the Humbug, who Milo and Tock met in Dictionopolis, "jumped to Conclusions", literally. They landed on the island named Conclusions, which was about a mile offshore. They had to swim all the way back through the Sea of Knowledge. This book made me laugh a lot. I read it more than once and I recommend it for children from Third Grade to High School.

At first, I simply enjoyed it as a kid.

Later on, as a teen, I looked for it when I was...bored.

Now, I have this book on my shelf, waiting for me (and my nephew, when he's old enough). Except that I find its characters always popping up in the back of my mind.

Those of you that didn't enjoy it: it's okay. Still, the whole point of the book is less about the "incorrect" math problems, lousy puns and nonsensical turns of phrase...and more about seeing life with new eyes.

In any case, come back to it again later.

As time grew on, Jules Feiffer's drawings seemed too sketchy; but when perusing these reviews, I realized that this was the point. For someone who enjoys seeing books as "brain movies" (like me), the last thing I want is a reading book with rich illustrations. (For that, I'll read a comic book.) Just simple, basic illustrations: boy, dog w/watch body, the Trivium. These are sketches. We, the readers, get to cast the kid actor; create the character design based LOOSELY on the story art.(Animation fan, too).

I'll probably read it later tonight.

The Phantom Tollbooth is a wonderfully ridiculous tale. Milo, a kid with nothing to do, discovers a strange cardboared tollbooth leading to a magnificient world. In this strange world, he encounters many queer allies. Milo can easily be related to because before he discovers the tollbooth, he is bored and has nothing to do. My favorite part of the book is the end, which I won't give away. All in all, I really liked this book. I recommend this book to advanced readers and people who don't easily get confused. Have fun reading The Phantom Tollbooth.

Wow...just simply...W-O-W! I have never read or imagined a more moving book than `The Phantom Tollbooth' in all of my years, literally to tears of pure astonished and thought-provoked amazement and wonder! I picked this book up from where it sat, among a collection of books that I had already read, some I had not even touched, and others I hadn't seen in years in preparation for a garage sale for my church. Sorting through the books, I perhaps wantonly decided which one's I had grown out of between which ones I still liked, trying to decide whether I like them enough to possibly re-read or not when I happened upon the plain-looking blue covered Phantom Tollbooth.
I had never read it before, and as it hovered before the box of books to be sold for anywhere between fifty cents to two dollars, I thought it would be shame to have not read it. After all, I recalled, during Quiz Bowl practices many of the literary questions often referred to this very book. I had heard that it was one of those classic books of all times that every one is supposed to have read during their lifetime... The kind that has that silver of gold medal stamp on them for an out-standing novel award, though the plain cover I held between my hands was merely that of a boy and a dog with a watch for a belly, did not.
And so I turned to the first page, and was instantly and immediately sucked into Milo's adventure, unprepared for the moving of my heart so. Opening my eyes to so many things that I had missed, realizations of my own heart and mind, of life...Shocked does not even begin to describe it. With such a simple logic, humor, and words Norton Juster has taught me more than most of my High School teachers (although I think, now that I can look back, many have been telling me these same things in different ways). But as a fellow hopeful future writer of novels, the format of a book that shared a love of knowledge and words and imagination in such a new, timelessly profound way had me riveted to each turning page and ink pressed word... WOW...Wow...wow I found myself breathless and watery eyed by the time I had finished... Completely forgetting about all the other books I still had to sort between selling or keeping or re-reading...compelled to write about this "Novel Renaissance" as I realize how much more of life I have yet to be awakened to. THE PHANTOM TOLLBOOTH is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G, in the words of the Spelling Bee. LONG LIVEMILO, TOCK, HUMBUG, AND NORTON JUSTER!
If you have not read it or have not read in a long time, you absolutely MUST read it. And not because you have to read it for some English teacher or because your parents say you should, not because it has all this literary acclaim or a shiny silver or gold circle plastered on the cover. Not even because it has a strange cover (I know, I really must stop judging books by their covers...they tend to become offended with me...)
But because the more you look at that boy on the cover and the strange dog with a watch for a belly you simply have to wonder, I wonder what that's all about... And then immediately thinking those very words, please open to the first page of that very first chapter and begin with those gripping fish-hook words of "There was once a boy named Milo..."
Wow...simply wow...

Reading it for the first time as an adult, I wish I had read it when I was younger and could have appreciated it better. Cute, full of puns and anecdotes. I look forward to sharing it with my daughter, which I believe to be a much more fun way of reading the book as an adult (to share with a child) than as a stand alone. For young (elementary school age) children, easily a 5/5.

Overall it was fun, light, enjoyable story - especially groaning at all of those puns. I did feel the math side was a little badly treated - the author made it more difficult and confusing than the English side, but that could be the engineer bias in me. I hate it when people make math sound hard because, well, I like math.

I'm not so sure how well any kid would actually learn the lessons that they're trying to instill in this story, maybe it depends on their age (I'm no expert on kids). But it seemed a lot of the puns were a little convoluted, a little reaching, for younger children to understand. And the plot was probably a little young for older children to really enjoy.

This is an easy read and a fun way to share time with your children.

I first read this book when I was about 10 years old and loved it! I read it so many times that it eventually fell apart. Now I am buying it for my daughter

The journy of traveling threw mysterious worlds that lay far off was a thrilling adventure to read, as Tock, Milo, and the Humbug travelded threw many wonderful Kingdoms, towns, and cites and some danerous ones too. I always looked foarward to what great adventrues lay beyond on the next page. I grealy recommend The Phantom Tollbooth to those who enjoy Fantasy, adventure and big words. If you fance realistic books or biographies i suggest you find something else.


~A happy reader

I first read this book when I was 8 years old, and since then I have read and reread this book a multitude of times over. I actually was not planning on writing a review on this book, although I read the "bad reviews" on here.

I was shocked with the comments left about this story. This is a story about using your imagination. This is a story that was written in order to make a young reader think.

The "kid reviewers" often made comments stating the situation is not "realistic" and if the same situation happened to them-they would notify the police. When I read that I became a little sad, that the innocence of children has been lost to the point of them being unable to enjoy a whimsical story.

I for one adored this story and still do to this day. Of course, rereading it as an adult-the language is very simplistic AND I do not need every concept explained to me ad nauseum. However for an audience 9 and younger, this is a perfect (non violent) fantasy.

Many very fond memories of being 8 and reading and rereading this book and marvelling at the crazy punning and oblique plotline and marvelous Feiffer illustrations. Along with The 21 Balloons, Alice In Wonderland, Tom Sawyer, The Hobbitt, Roald Dahl's books, Dr. Seuss, Wind In The Willows and a few others, this book showed my young mind what imagination and whimsy are all about.
I owe my happiness to my state of mind, and I owe that largely to learning what life and thinking about life are about from books like this.

My father gave this book to me when I was a little girl, and I immediately fell in love with it. I was inspired and amazed by Milo and his adventures. Now in my early thirties, I recently re-discovered this book and find it more enchanting than ever. The Phantom Tollbooth manages to illustrate life's important truths without being preachy or one-sided. We can all relate to Milo and the other characters, and their journeys and transitions. My husband and I are planning to have children soon, and I will definitely share this book with them. I highly recommend this book to anyone.

My mother read this book to me when I was little and it was one of my favorites. I just read it to my son for the first time. The vocabulary was beyond his level, but the lessons were not. He loved the story, he identfied with the little boy, and he learned right along with Milo. And as I read the book to him, I realized I enjoyed it just as much now as I did when I was young.



Norton Juster has an amazing skill for writing a story that is very entertaining and captivating, while managing to educate. Milo is a character who is over-all nice but has flaws and he is very easy to relate to. I loved that Juster not only covered the importance of education, but behavior, and common sense as well.



A wonderful book for any child to encourage creativity, interest in learning, and to help the child identify their own bad habits.

My mother read this book to me when I was little and it was one of my favorites. I just read it to my son for the first time. The vocabulary was beyond his level, but the lessons were not. He loved the story, he identfied with the little boy, and he learned right along with Milo. And as I read the book to him, I realized I enjoyed it just as much now as I did when I was young.

Norton Juster has an amazing skill for writing a story that is very entertaining and captivating, while managing to educate. Milo is a character who is over-all nice but has flaws and he is very easy to relate to. I loved that Juster not only covered the importance of education, but behavior, and common sense as well.

A wonderful book for any child to encourage creativity, interest in learning, and to help the child identify their own bad habits.

Easy reading with a freshing use of the English language. Humor and great language passages. Perfect book to use to enrich Language Arts lessons.

Here I am touring through my own muddled, middle-aging Lands beyond Youth, decrying the fact that I missed Milo's adventures "before," wishing I was under the age of 13 (next criterion on the review form), yet immensely enjoying this classic that eluded me. What a delight! Yes, I continue to be an ignoramus but am experiencing a renewed youthful exuberance over the power and fun of language.

This is one of my favorite books. I have read this book myslef over ten times. I am a school teacher and have used this book with reluctant readers. The children have enjoyed the rich characterization, the exciting setting, and the strong story line of a boy who finds that learning and discovery are possible and exciting. For the students I have taught who claim to never have read a book or read a book that has interested them. This book has been a great lauching pad for an exciting career as a reader. Enjoy!

I read this book for the first time when I was a young man. This book made me interested in reading. I am now in my middle age and I enjoyed my seconed reading as much as my first. I love this book, and it was my toolbooth the wonderful world of reading.

In the late 60's my aunt, who was a librarian at the time, gave me the copy of The Phantom Tollbooth that I passed on to my daughter when she was 7 years old...in 1992. She adored that book, and it was read several times, just as I did. She called me, this afternoon, and asked if I could find a new copy for her, as she had lost the original. She wants to share it with some of her friends, as they have never read the story. Even though they are all in their early 20's now, she feels that it is a story that will be meaningful to them. At the same time, I'm going to get a copy for our nephew as he is 11, and has never heard of the story. It is amazing that it is a "hidden treasure" for so many.

I was surprised that more reviewers didn't pick up on the fact that the kingdoms were arguing over a trivial matter because Rhyme and Reason were no longer part of everyday life, and that many other things had gotten out of control for the same reason. In a world where the decisions being made and the wars being waged seem to make little sense, I have always thought that this book was imparting a very profound message about the need for society to start using some common sense in everyday matters (not jumping to conclusions, etc) I first read this book in high school in a children's literature class, 30+ years ago. I love the wordplay and the messages it imparts.

If you are a lover of a play on words, a mind teaser and a great fairy tale, you will love this book. But, don't jump to conclusions or you may find yourself suddenly standing on the "Island of Conclusions"! What a fun read and thoroughly enjoyable. It now has a fond place in my collection of Fairy Tales.

Norton Juster's Phantom Tollbooth is probably one of the most under appreciated books in fantasy. Milo's adventure to save Rhyme and Reason will give many a chuckle along the way for those who appreciate well timed puns, illogical reasoning, or other fun with syntax and spelling.

Pure and enjoyable for children and adults who like to feel young too.

This whole book is one big play on words; Juster is a genius, plain and simple. I enjoyed this book as a child, and now as an adult I appreciate the ingenuity of the author.

A perfect book for any age. Perhaps even better for adults than children!

When a package magically appears in Milo's room, he finds a tollbooth inside. He doesn't know that when he drives through, it will start him on an amazing adventure. Norton Juster's The Phantom Tollbooth tells the story of Milo's journey through the lands beyond the tollbooth.
Milo is a young boy who starts out thinking that life is not worthwhile, but ends up having a very different view. His adventure takes place in the 1900's in the land beyond the tollbooth. While he is in the land beyond the tollbooth, he faces the task of having to return "Rhyme" and "Reason" to the land of Wisdom. He solves this with the help of "Humbug" and "Tock".
Although the plot is good, the author's use of idioms can confuse the readers' view of the action. The author makes up for this with his use of humor in the adventures of Milo and his companions. The book is a fun fantasy adventure with some surprising lessons for both Milo and the reader.
I would recommend this book for readers who have the vocabulary to understand the word-play.

this book is awsome becase i can relate to this book a lot like he does not like life or he thinks its unfair he does not like life and i can to relate with that at times



The story follows the journey of Milo, a boy bored of basically everything around him. One day he receives a mysterious package that turns out to be a tollbooth that takes him on crazy trip to places he naver hered of befor and travel throu like a portal and meets up with characters and a nothere main chareater is tock the watch dog and he help him throu the place like helping him solv problems and meet new poeple milo meat tock wheile he fell a sleep when he was on his way to dictionopilis but dosed of and fell in to the doldrums and meet up with the letheregarens there poeple who like to be lazy and do nothinbg at all but lay there and do nothing they cant laugh or think or nothing and i dont want to riwin the book for all of the poeple who hevent read it

The Phantom Tollbooth

One drab and devilishly-boring day I sat on my bed with nothing to do. My toys loomed unplayed with; my books suffocated with dust when I found a book I'd never seen before. As I started to read I knew these wouldn't be a boring day. The Phantom tollbooth is a terrific book were a boy named Milo who goes an adventure.
Milo is not exactly an exciting boy. He sees the world in black and white. When one day he finds a cardboard tollbooth that takes him to a whole new world. Their Milo finds a watchdog named Tock who ticks and goes on an adventure to find rhyme and rime to restore a once great kingdom of words and one of numbers, but on the way they encounter a variety of interesting people and creatures.
The Phantom Tollbooth is a one of kind of book, and I highly recommend it to everyone should read. I especially if you're ten or up and looking for an adventure I think I just set you up for a date.

I cannot praise this book enough. First read it when I turned 13, on a trip to Mexico with my Mom, a long but wonderful adventure in itself. I've read it just about every year ever since. I've given multitudes away to children of friends, who, after these children had grown, remembered me as the one who gave them the best book they'd ever read. Proud that the author was an architect, who kept me smiling as I worked through the nights on many of my own architectural projects in school, and later as I stepped out into the real world, searching for rhyme & reason, fighting off the lethargians, that horrible dapper ghoul with the tweezers...

Is it a child's adventure tale, or a metaphor for education? Is it full of wry jokes for adults, or lovable characters for children? Well, the answer to both questions is; YES.

Somehow Juster was able to combine all things in children's literature in this one book: adventure, learning, character, humor, and a fair bit of what sounds like free verse poetry if you read the right parts aloud, say to a child you know.

The story is centered around Milo, the boy bored with everything, and his journey through the lands of letters, numbers, and wilds between. The island of Conclusions, easy to jump to, but hard to swim away from, is one such memorable place. Or the carraige in Dictionopolis where you must be silent, because it goes without saying....

This voyage through learning has kept me entertained throught my childhood, teens, and adulthood. Up until three years ago, I read it at least one a year (and why did I stop?), and I still find new jokes I didn't get the last time as I read through. I own an old, hardcover copy, and I hope it never fades.

And I hope my children discover a land that is more real then most of the books they have at their fingertips these days, and cherish it as much as I do for the sake of my future grandchildren.

It was a great book because a boy named Milo has a adventure discovering a new world. He finds a dog named the Watch Dog and he makes friends with him. He is wanting to go to Dictionopolis. Travels in a little electric car. He has to go to other cities to get to Dictionopolis. He meets other people and learns some stories.

I read this book with my mom and we both loved it! This book has an interesting beginning, a strange middle and a suspenseful ending. The author put in lots of creative puns and amusing ways to use words. For example, Milo (the boy) thinks he going to meet a witch in the dungeon, but actually he meets a "Which" who chooses which words to say and which words not to say. I liked how numbers were gems and words were food. Personally, I believe that words are more valuable than numbers. I think the author just plain rocks!
Ben (age 9)

I read the Phantom Tollbooth when I was a kid and absolutely loved it. The strange characters who all seem to control something uncontrollable (sound, color, and so on) stayed with me for years afterwards, so that when I saw it on the bargain table in the book store I decided to pick it up again.

It was only on re-reading it as an adult that the message of the book jumped out at me for the first time. Milo is a kid who doesn't think anything is interesting, and the lands beyond the Phantom Tollbooth teach him, bit by bit, how the world is full of fantastic things, and how knowledge is always worth pursuing. But finally seeing the metaphor behind such characters as the Awful Dinn or Canby (who is as brave as can be and as cowardly as can be) didn't make them any less entertaining. I suppose that's the exact test that a book has to pass to be fun for all ages- and this one is!

It's hard to review this book. On one hand it is dripping with puns and figures of speech all of which require a level of general knowledge far in advance of the age group that would enjoy the rather childish story.

As an adult I found the story too busy and poorly connected for example what use has Milo of a box of words when he appears completely able to use all the words he came with. And why does the Soundkeeper suddenly decide she likes the Dreadful Dynn when there has been animosity for years between them.

This is a book that will need parts explained to young readers. However after this initial unpacking of meaning this story will be enjoyed over and over again by readers aged 7 - 12.

I give it 3 stars because I believe it needs some more polishing and final reworking, it is however an imaginative chapter book very suitable for bedtime reading.

I remembered enjoying this as a child and have just finished reading it out loud to my 8 1/2 year old. Her response at the end was, "Encore!" and I couldn't agree more myself. It's a delicious read for adults as well as a fantastic read aloud for the younger set and a marvelous way to discuss interesting words and word play.

Of all the books our six year old has ever read---this would have to be her favorite

Imagine a world where abstract concepts like color and sound are converted into real-life creatures (Chroma the Color conductor and the Awful Din). Imagine a world where every bad pun, poorly turned phrase, dumb metaphor and old cliche' is made flesh. Now loosely affiliate these concepts into a nonsensical journey to save 2 princesses named Rhyme and Reason for no apparent rhyme or reason. If that sort of thing floats your boat then this is the book for you. Frankly I found this story to be a borderline psychadelic romp through a bizarre and over-the-top landscape filled with 1-dimensional characters and a "hero" that is about as inspiring as a bowl of cold oatmeal. Oh and don't forget the subtle (and by subtle I mean sledgehammer bludgeoning) message that we need to take time in our lives to enjoy the world and be wise in our speech and actions. I'd suggest this book to 1) People on hallucinogens 2) Think headed people who enjoy trite messages jackhammered into their skulls, or 3) People with "time to kill" but beware the "Watch dog"! oh brother.

This book is hilarious, creative, adventurous, and inspiring. If you need more then that I don't know what to tell you. Even an adult would enjoy this book but as a result I would say it is a bit much for small children.

Candy Lane Craze is a really funny story. It was written by a funny author named David E. Spencer. He is one of the funniest authors I ever read. I first read this book online and then I told my mom to buy some books for my family. And then she said I could write some book reviews for other children and kids. I recommend this book to boys and girls that like reading funny stories. It's about Johnny, Sara, and Sabrina and they receive some magical candy from their grandmother, and then they magically disappear from her house when they eat dinner there. They disappear to a strange planet and they find a city called Sweet Little. It's a city where the people love candy and they like to build there houses with cookies and sweet stuff and they like to grow trees that grow candy. The kids meet Gloria and Gloria takes the kids to all the interesting sites around the city and there's candy and sweets everywhere they go. The city has a giant bug problem and the people have to fight the bugs when they search around the city for the candy. That is where the funny stuff happens in the book. This book will make great gifts for kids like me that read silly stories and fantasy stories.

Norton Juster's ten-year-old Milo is bored with life and everything, so he does not see the porpose for learning in The Pahantom Tollbooth. One day, he glumly returns home and finds abox in his room labeled, "ONE GENUINE TURPIKE TOLLBOOOTH." He decides to try it out in his red toy car, ans as he drives through the the booth he finds himself in a very interesting parrallel universe, with dolldrums, subtraction soup, edible words for sale, watchdogs, humbugs and countless onders. "Dictionopolis, a happy kingdom, advantageously located in the foothills of confusion and caresseed by gentlie breezes from the Sea of Knowledge. Today, by royal proclamation, is market day. Have you come to buy or sell?" says the guard at the gates. As Milo travels through Dictionopolis, the Valley of Sound, Expectations, and various lands, he meets interesting characters such as the Whether Man and the Dodecahedron. this book is a favorite of mine because of the clever puns and play on words that make you laugh. Also, it has exciting adventures and interesting ideas sure to satisfy the picky reader. In The Phantom Tollbooth, Norton plays on puns in his plot, and can make any unenthusiastic reader, like Milo, eat their words.

Milo is a sad, strange boy. Whenever he is one place, he wants to be in another place. He never finds anything to do; he's always bored. Well, that changes when he receives a strange package. He opens it up, and inside is a miniature tollbooth. He goes through, and he experiences many adventures. From jumping to the Island of Conclusions to saving Rhyme and Reason, to meeting a watchdog named Tock, to even meeting a dodecahedron and trying to find the highest number ever, Milo comes back a changed boy.
This book that has many plays on words is by far my most favorite book. I think Norton Juster, the author, is just the best!

After nasty families and school bullies, boredom is probably the predominant plague of children in Western society. The remedy for boredom: a voyange to a far-off world where things happen that don't usually happen. Begun by Alice in Wonderland, this theme of children's fantasies is continued here in The Phantom Tollbooth. Readable by both childrens and young teenagers, this adventure - comedy is about a young boy, Milo, who discovers a tollbooth in his room one day. Traveling thru it, he enters a world that seems to have been concocted out of his classroom lessons. Milo encounters the warring cities of Digitopolis and Dictionopolis, the Doldrums which one never wants to get stuck in, and makes an accidental jump to the island of conclusions. Along the way he meets a wide variety of characters, such as Tock the dog, the Whetherman, and Rhyme and Reason.

I read this book when I was 12, and it has remained one of my favorite books since then. I highly recommend it for all readers, young and old, who have time to spare or time to kill.

One of only two books I've ever read more than once. Though it may seem childish to an adult, the message is touching at any age. The power of hope, possibility and friendship is sure to brighten anyone's day.

All these kid's are saying, "This book is awful" and things like that. This is the first book I've ever enjoyed after being forced to read it for school! I will say you should read it twice to get the full meaning though. It really was a good book.

It was funny because Milo didn't like to learn but at the end he learns something new.

Milo’s bored with everything
And couldn’t see the reason
For learning math or spelling bees
No matter what the season

At home one day he found a box
Not round, but not quite square
ONE GENU-INE TURNPIKE TOLLBOOTH
The label did declare

Intrigued, he jumped into his car
Although this was a toy
Through the tollbooth he then passed,
One jaded little boy

He found himself quite somewhere else
It happened very fast
“WELCOME TO EXPECTATIONS”
said a signpost that he passed

But in this land there was a feud
Between two stubborn brothers
One thought words were number one
While numbers were the other’s

Milo, Humbug, faithful Tock
Must help to set things straight
Get Rhyme and Reason to return
so the feuding will abate

The brilliance of this story lies
In the author’s verbal skill
The places and the characters
Provide a learning thrill

The characters are wonderful
The plotline never dull
You’ll read this story several times
Until your brain is full

So if you are a child at heart
From two to ninety two
I strongly recommend this one
To you, and you, and you



Amanda Richards, April 22, 2006

My name is Eleanor, I am 10 years old and I loved,loved,loved this book! Milo's compleatly dull life changes quickly one he drives through the unexpected tollbooth that arives one day at his door. He meets many new friends and has many grand adventures. If you like books with a lot of jokes and funny expretions you will enjoy this book very much!

Can you imagine having a tollbooth in your room or meeting a dog that has a watch on its side? It seems so unrealistic. But, if you like abstract journeys to imaginary places then,
The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster is a great reading choice for you!
The story begins with Milo, a ten-year-old boy who is extremely bored. He discovers a tollbooth in his room. He drives through it and explores unbelievable lands with strange characters. First, he visits the land of Expectations where he meets the Whether Man. From there, he travels to the Doldrums and meets Tock, who is a loyal watchdog. He then goes to Dictionopolis where he learns that the princesses, Rhyme and Reason, have been captured. From here, Milo begins a quest to free the princesses. On this quest Milo, Tock, and Humbug travel to many strange and dangerous lands where they learn important lessons about life, such as the importance of time and how to use words.
Since I am a fan of realistic fiction, this book was not for me! I felt that The Phantom Tollbooth was boring because it was just a story of an unrealistic journey through an imaginary land. The events and lessons were too abstract for me. Even the characters were stale as bread. I was not impressed with Milo because he seemed so unsure of himself, and a bit wimpy. Tock was smart, wise and loyal, but he was also somewhat boring. I do not recommend this book unless you are a fantasy lover. I could not wait to finish reading The Phantom Tollbooth!

Norton Juster knows how to get into the part of a child's mind that revels in fantasy, but also shows kids the importance of knowledge and learning and using their minds. I love the "Phantom Tollbooth" as it is one of those books I was read as a child. I am proud to own it and my kids can't wait to get to the next chapter to see what happens next.

When I was ten years old, I was rooting around through a bag of books that were given to our family, and I found this book. It was a brown hardcover version that had previously belonged to the Cleveland Library, or so said the stamp on the inside front cover. I leafed through the book and was entranced by Jules Fieffer's illustrations, so I started reading and was hooked.

I stayed in my room the rest of the day and late into the night, reading about the adventures of Milo, Tock, and the Humbug. At the tender age of ten, I didn't grasp all the nuance of the book, but at that point, it didn't matter. The central theme of the novel still came through: Life is a wonderful thing, and must be explored. I was a bit sad to finish the book, because I felt as though I had just been on an adventure with some dear friends and now it was over. Norton Juster had shown me so many wonderful things and opened my eyes in so many ways, I wanted to go back and live in his world.

I went back to this book again and again over the years, and still do to this day. I've now gotten a copy for my daughter, and I can only hope that it will bring her as much joy as it has brought me.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It will enrich the lives of any child who reads it.