Phantom Toll Booth by Norton Juster

Title:  Phantom Toll Booth

Author: Norton Juster 

I first read the Phantom Tollbooth in second grade. I found it instantly captivating and it is still one of my all time favorites. It is the story of Milo, a boy who does not see the point in learning anything and for whom the world is dull. One day a mysterious package arrives and Milo drives through a Tollbooth to another world. As is typical in these sorts of children's stories, Milo is given an impossible quest to restore Rhyme and Reason to the kingdom. What is not typical are the quirky sense of humor, eccentric wordplay, and stunning metaphors. I think this was the first book I ever read that showed me that language, words, could be captivating all on their own. This is a story about the awakening of the mind and the joy of knowledge for it's own sake. No matter how old you are this book is not one to miss.

Review by:  Anna