The Phantom Tollbooth

by Norton Juster

First published 1961

Milo, a bored young boy, receives a mysterious package one day: a magical tollbooth that transports him to the enchanting Kingdom of Wisdom. There, he meets a talking dog named Tock and an eccentric Humbug, who join him on a quest to rescue the exiled Princesses Rhyme and Reason. As they navigate a world of puns and puzzles, Milo learns the power of language and the importance of curiosity. Can he restore balance to the troubled kingdom before it's too late?

Genres: classics, adventure, fantasy

Vibes: emotional, thought-provoking, whimsical

Tropes: fish-out-of-water, found-family

Setting: Castle in the Air, Dictionopolis, Digitopolis, Doldrums, Expectations, Lands Beyond, Kingdom of Wisdom, Mountains of Ignorance, Word Market

256 pages · Paperback · Scholastic Inc.

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