The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster

Module 5/SLIS 5420/July 4- 10 Bibliography

Juster, Norton. (1961). The Phantom Tollbooth. New York: Random House
ISBN: 0-394-82037-1

Summary

Milo is bored. He's never satisfied - whether in school or out, whether outside or in - that is, until he receives a mysterious package: "one genuine turnpike tollbooth." So what is Milo to do except assemble the booth, climb in his car and let the adventure begin. As he makes his way through Dictionopolis, the Doldrums and various other fantastical locations, he learns the intricacies of language, the ridiculousness of boredom and that there is always a new adventure waiting around the bend.

My Impressions

If you've already been down the rabbit hole, The Phantom Tollbooth must be your next destination. Not only is it an excellent fantasy book for kids, it gets even better as you grow older and are able to appreciate Juster's hilarious use of language. This book stands the test of time - written in the 60s but still expanding imaginations today. Explore Dictionopolis, Digitopolis and even take a plunge into the Doldrums - you won't regret it.

Reviews

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)

Suggested Library Use

This book fits perfectly with a language/English segment in both the classroom or the library. Juster's clever use of language and double entendre will make kids laugh as they learn.