The Phantom Tollbooth

Post date: Jun 27, 2012 9:26:36 PM

Since 1961, lovers of the nuisances of language have been enjoying The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster. This week was the first time I've read this classic. Fourth and fifth graders that are learning about idioms, synonyms, homophones, hyperbole, cliches, etc will not be disappointed and a little challenged to parse it all out.

Milo receives a present--a tollbooth that takes him to another land where the residents are at odds over the superiority of words or numbers. Milo goes on a quest for Rhyme and Reason with Tock, the dog that ticks and Humbug to help restore order. The residents he encounters along the way sure have a way with words that makes the reader's head spin just a bit. Read this book to see if you can catch all the fun!