|
by: Norton Juster
Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 823.914
EAN: 9780006754251
ISBN: 0006754252
Label: Collins
Manufacturer: Collins
Number Of Pages: 256
Publication Date: June 07, 1999
Publisher: Collins
Reading Level: Young Adult
Sales Rank: 1493813
Studio: Collins
Related Items:
Editorial Review:
Product Description:
For Milo, everything's a bore. When a mysterious tollbooth appears in his room, he drives through only because he's got nothing better to do. But on the other side, things seem different. Milo visits the island of Conclusions (you get there by jumping), learns about time from a ticking watchdog named Tock, and goes up against the dastardly Discord and Dynne. By the time Milo and Tock set off toward the Mountains of Ignorance to rescue the twin Princesses, Rhyme and Reason, Milo realizes something astonishing. Life is far from dull. In fact, it's exciting beyond his wildest dreams . . .
Performed by David Hyde Pierce
Amazon.com Review:
'It seems to me that almost everything is a waste of time,' Milo laments. '[T]here's nothing for me to do, nowhere I'd care to go, and hardly anything worth seeing.' This bored, bored young protagonist who can't see the point to anything is knocked out of his glum humdrum by the sudden and curious appearance of a tollbooth in his bedroom. Since Milo has absolutely nothing better to do, he dusts off his toy car, pays the toll, and drives through. What ensues is a journey of mythic proportions, during which Milo encounters countless odd characters who are anything but dull.
Norton Juster received (and continues to receive) enormous praise for this original, witty, and oftentimes hilarious novel, first published in 1961. In an introductory 'Appreciation' written by Maurice Sendak for the 35th anniversary edition, he states, 'The Phantom Tollbooth leaps, soars, and abounds in right notes all over the place, as any proper masterpiece must.' Indeed.
As Milo heads toward Dictionopolis he meets with the Whether Man ('for after all it's more important to know whether there will be weather than what the weather will be'), passes through The Doldrums (populated by Lethargarians), and picks up a watchdog named Tock (who has a giant alarm clock for a body). The brilliant satire and double entendre intensifies in the Word Market, where after a brief scuffle with Officer Short Shrift, Milo and Tock set off toward the Mountains of Ignorance to rescue the twin Princesses, Rhyme and Reason. Anyone with an appreciation for language, irony, or Alice in Wonderland-style adventure will adore this book for years on end. (Ages 8 and up)
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating:  - Oh, the mem'ries
The phantom tollbooth has been one of my favorite books since the fourth grade, when my teacher read it to the class. We'd sit on the floor, or in desks, or wherever; at an age when most of us were growing out of being read aloud to, Mr. Vogel gave us great memories. He'd read things that, at our age, we would have struggled with. (I think that is the only way being read to is fun. So ... maybe my mom will read me some Milton? Maybe? Maybe not?) - Any way, we might have been able to read The Phantom ... Read More
Rating: - LISTEN, LAUGH, AND LEARN
Since first published in 1961 Norton Juster's classic children's story has known many incarnations - hardcover reprints, paperback issues, audio cassette, stage play, and now an unabridged audio version read by the incomparable David Hyde Pierce.
Few of us did not watch the popular television show Frasier, and those of us who wouldn't miss an episode were soon fans of Pierce who played Dr. Niles Crane. He was funny, touching, affecting, and thoroughly enjoyable. The same may be ... Read More
Rating: - A funny book
I am eight years old and the book is great is for any child to read.
I really enjoyed reading the book. I definitely recommend to anyone who enjoys humorous books. Sometimes I couldn't put the book down because it was so interesting and I really wanted to find out what was happening next. My older sister, who is 11 years old also loved the book. Both of us are girls.
The book is about a boy named Milo who didn't know what to do with himself and finds out there is much more exciting ... Read More
Rating: - THE PHANTOM TOLLBOOTH by Norton Juster
The Phantom Tollbooth is a children's fantasy novel written by Norton Juster and Illustrated by Jules Feiffer. The story is about a bored child named Milo, who travels to the fantastical Kingdom of Wisdom, where he makes friends, goes on quests, and learns valuable life lessons.
The moral of the story is overt: Milo goes in apathetic toward everything and gradually acquires a healthy appreciation for reading, math, thinking, and learning in general. There are obvious parallels between The Phantom ... Read More
Rating: - My favorite book of all time.
Ok, I HATE nonsense novels so you'd think that I'd hate the phantom tollbooth ,right? Wrong! This book is not like other nonsense novels; it's special. With lovable characters such as: Tock the Watchdog, Humbug, Rhyme, Reason, King Azaz, The Mathamagician, and of course the star of this, Milo. I love every single story in this book and laughed aloud at them each-except the first one about numbers, which made my head hurt.
|
