The Phantom Tollbooth

For Milo, everything is a bore. But when a mysterious tollbooth appears in his room, he drives through - only because he has nothing better to do. On the other side, nothing is as it seems. He visits the Island of Conclusions (you get there by jumping), learns about time from a ticking watchdog named Tock, and embarks on a quest to rescue the princesses Rhyme and Reason. Somewhere along the way, Milo realises something astonishing: life is anything but dull.

Why This Book Matters

With almost five million copies sold, generations of readers have journeyed with Milo to the Lands Beyond in this beloved classic. Enriched by Jules Feiffer's splendid illustrations, the wit, wisdom, and wordplay of Norton Juster's offbeat fantasy are as beguiling as ever. As Philip Pullman wrote: "Comes up bright and new every time I read it... it will continue to charm and delight for a very long time yet. And teach us some wisdom, too."