Monday, March 29, 2021

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday #MMGM: The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster

Milo can't find a reason to do anything. What's the point? Whenever he's here, he wants to be there, and once he's there, he wants to go back again. Bored, bored, double bored. Everything is so boring, and seeking knowledge is the most useless waste of time there is. Learning about new things seemed ridiculous to Milo, until a mysterious gift arrived one typical afternoon. It was an enormous box with a note attached that read, "FOR MILO, WHO HAS PLENTY OF TIME." Curious, Milo opens the box and finds instructions on how to assemble a GENUINE TURNPIKE TOLLBOOTH, along with tokens and a detailed map. Shrugging off the day, he dusts off his car, motors it out of the corner, drives through the tollbooth and drops his token. Milo has no clue where he's going, and he doesn't recognize any of the places on the map. He decides Dictionopolis will be his destination, and he's off.

While traveling to Dictionopolis, Milo makes makes a wrong turn and finds himself lost in the Doldrums, where he meets a new travel companion named Tock, who keeps him on track during their journey. Milo and Tock need their wits about them when dealing with the colorful characters that pop up along the way. When they find out that two princesses, Rhyme and Reason, were unfairly banished to a castle in the sky, they start on their quest to unite the kingdoms of Dictionopolis and Digitopolis and set the princesses free. They encounter many wondrous sites, including a magnificent silent orchestra that plays color and a boy who grows down. Will Milo and Tock find their way through the Mountains of Ignorance? What happens if they jump to conclusions? Will they be able to make words and numbers work together? Can they free Rhyme and Reason? You'll have to read this marvelously fantastic book to find out. 

I soaked this story in. Bravo Norton Juster! I know he just recently passed away. When I saw the news, I remembered this book, and I thought I'd read it before, but I had not, and I'm so glad I did- though I was sorry to hear he died. The scene building and colorful array of characters in this story are delightful. My imagination was on overload, and I loved every minute of reading it. I particularly enjoyed the silent orchestra. This part whisks me away;



Norton Juster weaves the classic elements of fantastic storytelling into gold. Like Alice, who finds her way through Wonderland or Charlie Bucket, who discovers the wonders inside Willy Wonka's chocolate factory, Milo takes a trip through a magic tollbooth and gets caught up in a wild ride into a land beyond, where a king of words and a Mathemagician must come to terms with each other in order for Rhyme and Reason to return to the people. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys books that make you think and challenge your imagination. The illustrations by Jules Feiffer are unique, whimsical, and Edward Gorey-esque- so of course I adore them. Brilliance! 


For other MMGM posts, please visit Greg Pattridge's blog.

36 comments:

  1. I thought it looked like an older book. The cover art is very familiar.

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  2. An oldie, but a goodie. I haven't read this in a long time and now you've inspired me. Thanks for reminding us what a fun book this is.

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    1. Randomly Reading- I had to laugh- I wrote almost the same thing to Alex. Glad to remind you of the fabulous read. Hope you get the chance to reread it. :) ~L

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  3. Absolutely love this !
    Have a nice week dears!

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    1. Thanks, Gloria! Hope you have a wonderful week too! :) ~L

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  4. This is such a fun book! I have fond memories of reading it with my kids when they were elementary school aged. They loved the word and the fantastical elements. Thanks for featuring this!

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    1. Jenni- I loved this book so much. I am glad to hear your kids loved it when you read it with them too! It really makes one's imagination soar! :) ~L

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  5. Sounds like a wonderful, fun book. Thank for sharing! Hugs, Valerie

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    1. Valerie- Jael- It really is! Hugs! :) ~L

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  6. I remembered this book fondly when I heard that Norton Juster died. It's a classic.

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    1. Natalie- Now that I had a chance to read it I can understand why it's a class. What a book! :) ~L

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  7. I remember reading and rereading as a kid. I loved the language.

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  8. Thank you for the thorough review! I read this book 40 years ago and had forgotten the story line. Brought back memories. This is among the first fantasy books for kids. Jester's book will always remain a classic with kids. Sorry he's gone.

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    1. Patricia T- I am sorry he is gone too! I really enjoyed this book and I am glad my review helped jog your memory about some of the storyline. What a great read! :) ~L

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  9. Thanks for featuring this classic tale on MMGM. I'd forgotten how much I enjoyed reading the story and will have to give it another go. Sad to hear of so many great authors passing away the past year.

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    1. Greg- So many greats have passed away in the past year. I really loved this book and am happy to remind people of this great story. People can definitely get swept up in this one! :) ~L

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  10. Sounds so good.
    Wishing you a happy week.

    All the best Jan

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  11. Always one of my favorites. My daughters loved it, too. The Chuck Jones movie version is very 1960s!

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    1. So glad to hear you loved this one too. I have to see the movie! :) ~L

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  12. I just read this book for the first time a few years ago and enjoyed it! Not sure why I never read it as a kid...

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    1. Maria- There are so many great books out there- so I think it is easy to miss some amazing reads. Glad you got to read this one a few years ago and enjoyed it. :) ~L

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  13. My adult daughter tells me this is her favorite MG book. It's awfully good and I think it is still being widely read. That says a lot about a book. Thanks for your thoughts.

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    1. Rosi- I love that it's your adult daughter's favorite MG book. I can see why! It certainly has stood the test of time! :) ~L

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  14. I adore this book, and the others you compared it to. Such whimsy fun! Have a lovely week.

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    1. Brenda- Wonderful to know you adore this book too. It really is such fun! :) ~L

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  15. This book really is phenomenal—I read it a few years ago and utterly loved it! I feel like some older kids' books are way more imaginative and fun than newer ones, and this one is definitely emblematic of that. I'm sad to hear that Juster passed away, but he clearly spent his life well! Thanks for the great review!

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    1. Completely Full Bookshelf- Glad you enjoyed the review. I am amazed at all the imaginative ideas included in this book. It really sucked me in and I loved the ride! :) ~L

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  16. Wonderful blog. I liked the words. I am following your blogs. I would be more than happy if you grant me the honor to follow my humble blogs.

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    1. Hi Mina- Thanks for your comment. Glad you like the blog! :) ~L

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  17. I liked the illustrations for this one.

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  18. The book looks really good and I love the illustrations! Happy Easter! Big Hugs!

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    1. Magic Love Crow- It really is FABULOUS! :) Hope you had a Happy Easter too! :) ~L

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