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The Phantom Tollbooth
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The Phantom Tollbooth
Author: Norton Juster

Book Information
Publisher: Yearling
Book Type: Paperback
Members Wishing: 0
Rating:

ISBN-13: 9780394820378 - ISBN-10: 0394820371
Pages: 272
Reading Level: Ages 9-12


Other Versions of this Book: Hardcover, Hardcover, Audio Cassette

Book Description:
Illustrated in black-and-white. This ingenious fantasy centers around Milo, a bored ten-year-old who comes home to find a large toy tollbooth sitting in his room. Joining forces with a watchdog named Tock, Milo drives through the tollbooth's gates and begins a memorable journey. He meets such characters as the foolish, yet lovable Humbug, the Mathemagician, and the not-so-wicked "Which," Faintly Macabre, who gives Milo the "impossible" mission of returning two princesses to the Kingdom of Wisdom.

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The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles 30th Anniversary Edition (Julie Andrews Collection)A Wrinkle in TimeFrom the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler


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Top Member Book Reviews

Adam M. wrote on 3/31/2007...

6 member(s) found this review helpful.

A simply magnificent children's book, imaginative and thought-provoking. I read it as a child and loved it, I can read as an adult and love it as much.

Mallory P. (solarmal) wrote on 2/26/2009...

5 member(s) found this review helpful.

I read books out loud to my children and am going to continue as long as they will let me. My 10 year old is sophisticated enough to understand the many puns in this story while my 8 year old is not, but he still gets a lot out of it--just on a different level. The action starts right away and it hooked my kids on the very first page. I remember reading it because I had to as a kid and I did not like it, but now I am wondering why--since both my kids think it's great and I now realize it is very clever. Give it a go.


Brigitte D. wrote on 4/23/2007...

5 member(s) found this review helpful.

For Milo, everything's a bore. When a tollbooth mysteriously appears in his room, he drives through only because he got nothing better to do. But on the other side, things seem different. Milo visits the island of Conclusions(you get there by jumping), leans about time from a ticking watchdog named Tock, and even embarks on a quest to rescue Rhyme and Reason! Somewhere along the way, Milo realizes something astonishing. Life is far from dull. In fact, it's exciting beyond his wildest dreams!

Denette B. (PrincessMisery) wrote on 3/21/2007...

3 member(s) found this review helpful.

I remember my 5th grade teacher reading this book to me. I've never enjoyed a book more than this one. I still love it, and I'm 24 years old now. It was just so fantastic and full of adventure and fun. This should always be included in a child's reading. I like it so much, I'm going to order it, just to read it again. LoL

Kirsten E. wrote on 9/23/2006...

3 member(s) found this review helpful.

A classic children's fantasy rated at 6.3 reading level.

Judee K. wrote on 6/22/2009...

2 member(s) found this review helpful.

This book is a laugh a minute. While it is touted as a kid's book, it is great for all ages. My cousin used to read it to her sixth grade students. they loved it. My adult reading goup loved it and these women are in their 70s and world travelers. A truly wonderful book to just enjoy.

Christine O. (crissyreader) wrote on 3/4/2007...

2 member(s) found this review helpful.

An interesting play on words! Very clever.

Julie S. (julesjergen) wrote on 10/22/2008...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

Wonderful science fiction for children! My son and I enjoyed Milo's adventures immensly. Great message about wasting time and how it never comes back...must read for all!

Angela H. (brideofspoon) wrote on 4/3/2008...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

I loved this book as a kid. Then I bought a copy when I was about 23 or 24 and it is about to fall apart from repeated readings over the last 5 or 6 years. It's so quirky and wonderful. It's probably in my top 3 children's books ever. All the characters are so unique and are constantly surprising the reader with their odd and surprising actions. Just beautiful!

Donna E. (impossible) wrote on 3/29/2008...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

I read this book decades ago and succombed to its charms again. Quaint, interesting story, full of fun, intelligent word play - puns, if you must. The whole family will enjoy it. I'm glad I read it again.


Please Rate these Book Reviews

Lisa W. (bella232) wrote on 9/19/2009...


This fantasy book is whimsical and jolly, but falls short of any real substance. When a young, apathetic boy finds a mysterious toll booth in his room, he finally is forced to sit up and take notice of the wild world around him. Entering a new world, he meets many odd characters and visits many places that are somewhat laboriously named allegorically. However, any real lesson is devoid for the boy, who returns from his voyage thinking slightly better about his place in the world. It's basically, "you are really good enough if you just try" book, but for my money, Pilgrim's Progress does the fanstacial traveller tale much more cohesively and with deeper thematic truths being addressed.

Stephanie C. (kookybooboo) - Millington, TN wrote on 4/22/2009...


This was one of my favorite books when I was a kid, and the biggest book I'd ever read.{it seems so much smaller now} The best way to describe it, it's A Wrinkle in Time for little boys.

Joanne K. - Ypsilanti, MI wrote on 10/4/2007...


I read this... let's see... I was maybe 11-ish? I have such a strong recollection of LOVING it, thinking it was very clever and wishing I could find more books exactly like it.

Dana W. (Mommad) wrote on 9/12/2006...


A great book to read aloud to your kids or even to yourself! Entertaining!

Carol G. (chg) wrote on 8/30/2006...


Great book. My son really enjoyed this.

Sheila W. wrote on 7/16/2006...


I read this book when I was twelve and thought it was boring. I read it again when I was 37 and this time I actually understood and enjoyed it.

Tracy S. (Bernelli) wrote on 6/26/2006...


Great book for adolescents.

Robert S. (bobulous) wrote on 11/21/2005...


one of the greatest kids books ever, along with Middle Earth and Narnia and E. Nesbitt.

Sari Lynn G. (sari-lynn) - San Francisco, CA wrote on 10/16/2005...


A delightful book for children of all ages, and the child in each of us. When life gets a little dull, take a trip through The Phantom Tollbooth!

Andie J. (Andie) wrote on 8/1/2005...


I read this book when I was 8 in 1974. I just remember that it was a fun book and that you never knew where Milo was going to end up. Our whole class ran to the library to check it out.


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