“Mom, I’m Bored”

THE PHANTOM TOLLBOOTH              By: Norton Juster                    4.5 Stars

The Phantom Tollbooth is a book geared toward kids. I never read it as a child, but I would imagine you would learn different things from it at different times in your life, even as an adult. Some of you may grumble and write off the book, who wants to learn lessons? Don’t write off The Phantom Tollbooth yet, fun may still be found for all ages. It is written for kids who find very little enjoyment out of life, as portrayed by the main character, Milo.

Milo has no desire to find happiness in life and basically just lives his life by following the necessary motions. That is until a phantom tollbooth appears in his bedroom. Soon Milo finds himself transported into a world without rhyme or reason. Milo learns the importance of words, numbers, sound, and vision in an effort to restore the kingdom to its original glory.

This book is full of profound quotes and sound advice. It points out early the value of commodities such as time, and perception. In addition to the many lessons I learned, an important one happened when the miners in Digitopolis threw away diamonds, emeralds, rubies and a number of stones we consider to be precious. In the larger scheme of things there are items of even higher importance. Another lesson was that things are only impossible if you believe them to be so.

With all the knowledge contained within this short book, I would expect it to finish by saying something to the effect of “you have learned well tiny grasshopper”. Even without the phrase, Norton Juster’s work is done.