logo

61 pages 2 hours read

Norton Juster

The Phantom Tollbooth

Norton JusterFiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1961

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Book Brief

logo
Norton Juster

The Phantom Tollbooth

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1961
Book Details
Pages

248

Format

Novel • Fiction

Publication Year

1961

Audience

Middle grade

Recommended Reading Age

8-12 years

Lexile Level

1000L

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

In Norton Juster’s 1961 middle-grade fantasy adventure The Phantom Tollbooth, a bored young boy visits a magical land whose people suffer from a strange delusion and volunteers to find a source of wisdom that can heal them. The book is a touchstone for generations of young readers; it has sold nearly five million copies in more than a dozen languages and has been adapted for film, stage, and symphony hall.

Fantastical

Adventurous

Playful

Humorous

Inspirational

Reviews & Readership

4.5

302,572 ratings

79%

Loved it

14%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Norton Juster's The Phantom Tollbooth receives widespread acclaim for its wit, creativity, and ability to appeal to both children and adults. Critics laud its clever wordplay and engaging adventures but note that some younger readers may find its language challenging. Overall, it stands out as a timeless, thought-provoking read.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Phantom Tollbooth?

A reader who enjoys whimsical adventures, wordplay, and clever illustrations will be captivated by Norton Juster's The Phantom Tollbooth. Fans of Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland or L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz will find similar joy in this imaginative tale that blends fantasy and philosophy.

4.5

302,572 ratings

79%

Loved it

14%

Mixed feelings

6%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

248

Format

Novel • Fiction

Publication Year

1961

Audience

Middle grade

Recommended Reading Age

8-12 years

Lexile Level

1000L

Continue your reading experience

Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.