ALL

It's about Mattimeo, the son of a famous and well-respected warrior. It's also about the children of Redwall (which is an abbey built by peaceful creatures), Orlando the badger, Matthias Mouse (the famous and well-respected warrior), Jabez Stump (a hedgehog), Jess Squirrel (you guessed it, a squirrel), and Basil Stag (a hare). They go searching after their young ones, and on the way meet up with an otter named Cheek. All the while, Mattimeo, Auma, Tim, Sam, Cynthia, Tess, and Jube (all prisoners) are being held captive by an evil slave-catcher fox named Slagar the Cruel! Makes you shiver doesn't it?! Meanwhile, back at Redwall Abbey, those peaceful creatures are getting attacked by a conqueror crow named Ironbeak (by the way, he's a captain!). Find out how they get out of this mess! This story is action-packed, interesting, and fun. Once you pick it up, you can't put it down! I didn't

A Review by Sarah

Trouble brews in Redwall when Slager the fox and his band of slavers come to town. His plot to kidnap the Abbeys' children seems flawless. All except the fact that he has stolen the son of the great warrior Mathias, Mattimeo. Now, Mathias and a gang of odd and comical characters must follow Slager across unknown territory of Mossflower and beyond, leaving their home open for General Ironbeak's attack. Now Mathias and his gang must find their children and bring them safely back to Redwall or they will surely live a life of enslavement and cruelty.

I like how this book throws you into suspense immediately. Most books it takes awhile to get to the action, but this book starts out with a bang. And the action doesn't stop. One thing after another after another takes place, and it never leaves you bored or confused (such as the cannibals followed by the raging river) It's easy to understand and the characters are very real. I especially liked Baby Rollo. He was so cute and mischievous, like a real human baby. The dialogue is easy, yet colorful and is written how they would speak it (such as the comical accent of the moles and sparrows). It definitely is one of the best books I've ever read.

I recommend this book to anyone who likes mid-evil themes, action, wars, humor, and cute (yet very vicious) woodland creatures.

This is just simply the best book ever.I love the way Brian Jacques weaves a great picture of Redwall for us.Now, this book is about the evil Slagar avenging himself on Redwall by kidnapping Matthias's son Mattimeo.It's really exciting, you know. It's just the sort of book you'd be looking for when you like adventure,action and extremely exciting passages.Once you pick this book up, I don't think you'll ever want to put it down.

I just have to say that the Dragonlance Saga is the best fantasy series I've ever read. (Although Piers Anthony is cool too.) All the other authors try too hard to make big epics and stifle the characters. If you're interested in the Dragonlance books, then start here, this trilogy is awesome and lets you get to know the characters. But it only gets better. The Legends trilogy, The Second Generation, Dragons of Summer Flame...they only get better...at least if Weis and/or Hickman write them. Stay away from the other author's books in the series; they just corrupt Weis and Hickman's characters. I only gave it four stars cuz their later books in the series are better. (I love Raistlin, he's by far the best character.) I'd recommend this book to anyone who is into fantasy or just wants a good read.

The Chronicals are the best and greatest! This is not just another book of badly written adventure in a medieval magical world but rather a richly textured wonderfully written piece of literature. The characters are described very well, the story is gripping, putting this book down will be hard. Highly recommended, this book (rather these three books because I read 'em seperatly but this is the same) is my favorite book in the world. Buy it! And read everything else by Margaret Weis or Tracy Hickman. They are the greatest authors. Other things to read: Everything of the original DragonLance series, particulary the Legends Trilogy and Dragons of Summer Flame. Do everything in your power to get this book. To those who read it: I hope you enjoyed it. To those who have not: WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!

it is the best in the world

For those cave dwellers amongst you who've finally crept out of your hermit-like existences to gain a little knowledge about the wide world of children's picture books, the name "Eric Carle" will be unknown to you. For everyone else in the universe, however, Mr. Carle is undoubtedly one of the best known illustrators of the Western world. The father of "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" and the more recent "Slowly Slowly Slowly Said the Sloth", his earlier work, "Brown Bear", is a sweet simple storyline that remains timeless.

In this story, different animal characters, cut cleverly from a dazzling array of colored papers, tell the viewer what it is that they see. The cat sees a dog, the dog sees a sheep, the sheep sees a goldfish, etc. Now when I said this story was timeless, I wasn't kidding. Honestly, I'm having a great deal of difficulty finding ANYTHING about this story that's going to date it in one or two hundred years down the road. Originally published in 1967, the book is particularly impressive because of the shot of children it cuts to towards the end. Suddenly the viewer is observing kids of a myriad of races and skin tones. In 1967. And these are not your white-kids-painted-brown type pictures either. And they're not all just black or white! There's the most surprising thing of all, to my mind. In an age when illustrators were having a devil of a time remembering to even include black kids in the occasional book, here we have a book that is including everything from Asian to Native American children, front and center.

On a completely unrelated side-note, the mother in this book bears a striking resemblance to a LOT of very hip mommies these days. From her dark rimmed Harry Potteresque glasses to her well coiffed hair, this is a mother on the go.

To be perfectly blunt, I'm not an Eric Carle fan. He bores me, and I have distinct memories of finding "The Hungry Caterpillar" annoying as a child. But at the same time I'm having a lot of difficulty finding anything at all wrong with this book. It's not the most exciting picture book on the market today. It will not grab you, necessarily. It doesn't demand the spotlight or find itself in intellectual discussions about the nature of animal representation for the pre-adolescent set. It's just a good book with a nice plot and pretty pictures that teach kids about colors and animals. And doggone it, that's good enough for me.

My son (2 years old)received this board book as a gift yesterday, and it is already his new favorite book.

The illustrations are extremely vivid and well illustrative of each animal and colour (except the goldfish, which doesn't quite look like a normal goldfish)

He loves to "peep" at the next page to see which animal is coming next (as he can't read as yet), and then loudly announce it as if he's reading. Of course he knows the words by heart already.

As we were driving today we passed a dog, and he proudly said "I see a white dog, looking at me!"

I never thought such a simple book and concept could be so educational.

All three of my children LOVE this book...(Sam 6, Allison 3, and Cole 1). We have two copies in the house because they get read so much. The pictures are bright and beautiful and each of the children have learned colors, animals, and the fundamentals of rhyming from this excellent book. I also suggest "White Bear White Bear What do you Hear"...

If you're like me, you've seen the movie The Neverending Story long ago and loved it, but never bothered with the sequels. Maybe you didn't realize that the movie was based off Michael Ende's novel by the same name, first published in Germany in 1979. The English version hit the United States at the same time as the movie in 1983, the movie overshadowing the book. I choose to read it on a friend's recommendation. So, for a week I was carrying it around with me and while reading at my local café, was approached by two strangers who both asked me the same question: "So, what DID Bastian name the Childlike Empress anyway?" I smugly told them to go read the book. The movie only portrays a portion of the story, there's so much more adventure to be had in the land Fantastica (or Fantasia, or Fantasiana depending on the translation). The Neverending Story is a book within a book that contains another world, Fantastica. It is the story of a great quest. The Childlike Empress is dying and the mysterious "Nothing" is rapidly invading Fantastica. Soon there will be nothing left. Atreyu, a young hunter from the Grassy Ocean is chosen to find the savior of Fantastica, the only person who can heal the Empress. With the help of his luck dragon, Falkor, Atreyu discovers that only a child from the Outer World can save Fantasia. Atreyu also learns from the werewolf Gmork the evil significance of the "Nothing." Bastian Balthazar Bux is a timid boy who has a passion for stories. He steals the Neverending Story and soon learns that this book is special. Hiding out in the cold attic of his school while he reads, Bastian feels a special connection to Atreyu, who endures many hardships on his quest. As he reads on, Bastian is amazed and terrified to discover that he is only person who can save Fantastica from perishing. Once in Fantastica, Bastian is transformed into a handsome prince who's every wish comes true and only Atreyu can save Bastian from forgetting himself forever. The Neverending Story is a perfect bedtime story book for reading out loud to kids. The chapters are short and distinct. Adults too will enjoy the story and although the characterization is shallow, the book is rife with symbolism and vivid accounts of the incomparable uniqueness of Fantastica and its inhabitants. It's a satisfying feast for the imagination. The book themes explore the importance of imagination in our lives as a tool of self-discovery, but also cautions against losing yourself in fantasy.

The Neverending Story provides for its main character exactly what it provides for its readers; an escape from reality in order to take a look at their lives. There lives inside the most timid of all human beings a strong and corageous warrior. Every failing student has the right answer. Every bully has a soft spot. Michael Endes fantasy is targeted towards young adult readers, but young and old alike respond to the most incredible story ever told.

Bastian Balthazar Bux, the main character, feels his life is not worth living. His mother is dead, his father is disconnected from reality, his fellow students hate him, he's not happy with his appearance and it seems that his only escape is through literature. Only when he is at his lowest point does fate step in to point him in the right direction. He steals a book called the Neverending Story from a back alley book shop for some unexplained reason. All he knows is that he is compelled and meant to read the book. Hiding in the attic of his school, he reads the story as if he is a character himself... until at last he finally is. His life will never be the same again.

I would say it's a classic, Ende's way of writting its just great. I didnt see the movie, I wasnt even born back then, but I found the book (in spanish) and I just loved it! everytime I read it its like the first; I never stop of getting into each character's shoes. Its really great, and the colors fot the Neverending story and Bastian's reality, which makes it even better. If u are reading the book because of the movie, u will probably think its really long. But dont let the movie fool you, the movie its just the half . Buy it! Its worth it!

"Ella Enchanted" is one of my favorite books. It's about a girl named Ella, when at birth was given a "gift" (more like a spell) to ALWAYS be obidient. No matter what someone says, Ella has to obey; if she doesn't, she gets dizzy, and feels sick. Ella is at danger at all times, because if somebody (for instance) told her to chop her head off, she would HAVE to do it! Anyway, in the begining of the book, Ella's mother dies. At the funeral, Ella meets a boy named Char, the prince. After awhile she falls in love with him but doesn't want to marry him in fear of putting him in her danger too. Well, that's all I'm going to say- other wise it will give a lot of stuff away. I really love this book, I have read it 2 times, in the middle of the 3rd. I would recommend this book to someone who likes romance, adventure, and suspence. Gail Carson Levine is a wonderful author. I would also recommend some of her other books: "The Wish" and "Dave at Night"

Ella Enchanted is a wonderful fantasy book by Gail Carson Levine. She puts a twist to the classic fairy tale, Cinderella. I would recommend this book to girls of nine to sixteen years of age. This book has every kind of creature: goblins, elves giants ogres fairy-godmothers, you name it! With a dead mother a kind a kind but misunderstanding father, Ella has a hard time. But on top of that, she has been cursed from the moment she was born. She can't say no! This truly is a fairy tale. It has it's sad parts, but a happy ending, too. I like this book because I can relate to Ella. We are about the same age, and we think similarly. I also like the way the author makes it seem realistic. Ella is learning things ad the book goes on and she gets older. This is a good book for peeole who like Harry Potter books, because they both have magic and strange creatures and a main character that has a speciality. And for those who don't like Harry Potter, or haven't read it and don't plan on reading it, maybe this book will change your mind

When you think of 'Cinderella' you think of a polite young lady. But, Ella is the exact opposite. Although all the MAJOR points are the same as the Disney version, most of the details are quite different. For example, Ella's curse. That was in none of the original tellings.
Ella gives you a real sense of what a real cinderella would be like. Char is a charming character, and I love the obviousness about the two of them ending up together.
All great cinderella stories have a time where Cinderella and Prince Charming are seperated (Like the movie EVER AFTER). And this book has it.
Although some times in the book it gets slow (rarely), it always picks itself up again.
This is one of the best Cinderella retellings I have EVER read!!

Sabriel blew me away. It is one of the best fantasies I have ever read. The plot is engaging and keeps you interested to the end. The characters are realistic and develop throughout the book. The occasional comic relief does not skew the plot. I rate this book above Potter, and believe it may take its place amoung the classics. Mr. Nix has created an intricate and nuanceful masterpiece--A world so carefully thought out it is like that of Tolkien. The plot: Sabriel, a young woman of eighteen, discovers that her father, the necromancer Abhorsen, is trapped in the world between life and death and cannot reach her. He is only able to send her the news and his tools of necromancy: a sword and magical bells. Sabriel sets out to find him, but she soon realizes that she needs do more than just rescue her father. This book is a winner. Do not hesitate for one second. Even if you are not a huge fantasy fan and definately if you are, READ THIS BOOK! You will not regret it.

Just as great as Pullman's The Golden Compass (Which I must have read like a million times in a row [Along with the sequel The Subtle Knife, which was well-written too] - I love that whole daemon idea, it's stunning and thought-provoking)! I'm a big sci-fi/fantasy fan, and this book must be my fav fantasy. I just love that blend of early 20th century technology and magic. And the whole idea of death as a river with "gates" and "precincts" - Just fabulous! And Sabriel - The coolest female heroine (Mogget was my second fav character); oh, and the necromancy bells and the unique aspects of magic in the book were just WOW. The slightly elevated style of writing was also wow, it kept me HOOKED! I just can't say enough! It was incredible. Keep on writing, Mr. Nix! (I'm 17)

A delightful series that will keep you in action from the first page to the last. (And first book to the last book) I felt like I was watching some type of movie when reading it. The world is in danger as evil nacromancers use their own bell powers to bring back the Greater Dead (those who do not pass the 'official' gate). It's up to the Abhorsen's job to see that these nacromancers are to be stopped and the Dead to return to the "river" in peace. Thus, the Abhorsen destined to do so would be Sabriel. Along the way, she meets up with unusual friends and vicious foes as the fight against the enemy isn't that easy as simply waving a bell.

I read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling. I really liked this book because it had a way of creating an image in my mind. When Harry met up with the Mountain Troll, I could not only visualize the shape, but even the odor of the beast.
Harry Potter grew up living with his Aunt and Uncle. When Harry was about to turn 11, letters came from nowhere, addressed to where he sleeps. They are invitations to Hogwarts, the wizarding school. Harry finds out that he is a wizard and responcible for killing Lord Voldermort. Hagrid came to take him shopping in London so Harry buys all of his school supplies. So after that he goes to Hogwarts. He is sorted into Gryffindor. When he takes his first flying lesson Moganagle sees him and then he becomes Gryffindor's Seeker. Harry reads the paper and finds out the vault that he and Hagrid went to had been broken into but there was nothing there when the thief broke in because Hagrid took out the pacage that was in there. At his first Quiditch game, Harry almost is thrown off his broom. Ron and Hermione think it was Snape,so Hermione sets Snape's cloak on fire. Harry and his two friends take the wrong stairs and find out why that corridor is forbidden. They tell Hagrid about it and he starts to give away a ton of information about the socerer's stone. One day Hagrid gets a dragon. He raises him for a few weeks then sent him to Romania. Harry gets detention and had to go into the Forbidden Forest. In the Forbidden Forest Harry runs into Lord Voldermort. Harry and his friends think that Snape is trying to steal the stone to bring Voldermort back to full life. they try to tell Dumbledor but he is gone!
I would recommend this book to any one who likes a good book with magic in it. If you like the sound of this book READ IT!

A couple of months ago, I asked my ten year old grandnephew Joe what he'd been reading lately. He proceeded to tell me about an unbelievable game called 'Quidditch', a wondeful place called 'Hogwarts', and an out of place but very special person, Harry Potter.

OK, it's not Tolkien, Tolstoy, Shakespeare, Gabaldon or Uris. J.K. Rowling communicates a remarkable perception of childhood fears, and the abdurd, out of place, self-defensive nature of early teenagers in an upsetting, unknown, uncertain and very dangerous world.

Sorcerer's Stone is a fun read, replete with magical family heirlooms, talented sturigiforms and other family 'pets', plot twists that are interesting and unexpected, and solid, growing friendships between characters of very different age, size, likes, personalities and abilities.

Remarkably, diversity and respect for the individual play a strong part in this and later Harry Potter adventures. Harry gets pushed, but doesn't push back too hard. His response to negative people and events is to wonder why, not to strike out - even when facing a deadly enemy.

The recommendation for 9 to 12 year olds must be based entirely on the reading level, rather than the content. Adult readers will enjoy Sorcerer's Stone as a relaxing 'between book' as much as young readers enjoy it as recreational reading.

But beware! If a group of kids sees you reading this book, expect to be quizzed on every detail!

While Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone doesn't really need yet another glowing review, I'm not going to let that fact stop me from reviewing a book I happen to love. I was a tad late catching Harry Potter fever, coming in about the time the first movie was released on DVD, but I'm now a quite devoted fan of J. K. Rowling and the magical stories she has given to us all, dazzling young and old alike in a manner quite unheard of before. Actually, I don't think I would have recognized Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone as a children's book had I picked it up with no previous knowledge whatsoever about the phenomenon. It's a rip-roaring good story filled with amazingly lifelike characters set in a truly captivating setting. Harry Potter is, in a way, the ultimate underdog despite the fame he suddenly finds himself enjoying on the day of his eleventh birthday. Ron Weasley is the perfect sidekick, self-conscious of his family's modest means and forever moving along underneath the large shadows of his more successful older brothers. Then there is Hermione Granger, my favorite character in the Potter universe, a smart yet captivating know-it-all who eventually becomes the unlikely yet essential third member of Rowling's intrepid trio of heroic friends. All of the characters are rich and alive: Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall, the unforgettable Hagrid, the fearsome Snapes, the incorrigible Draco Malfoy, etc. This book is so compelling that I can't imagine ever forgetting even the most seemingly unimportant of characters.

If you enjoyed the movie but haven't actually read the original novel, you really owe it to yourself to pick up the book. The movie is amazingly faithful to Rowling's novel, with only a few rather minor changes, yet the book offers so much more to the Harry Potter story. For one thing, his life on Privet Drive with the Dursleys is actually much worse that it appears in the movie. The story behind Snapes' immediate dislike of Harry is told in these pages, as is Harry's first and highly significant meeting with Malfoy early on in Diagon Alley. It's really quite amazing to see how many little tidbits of future significance are scattered throughout this original story, giving one the impression that Rowling had a pretty clear vision of Potter's future in mind quite early on. Perhaps most importantly, the ending works so much better in the novel; the movie ending just seemed to lack a little something, but the book not only fills in some gaps, it describes a much more trying set of warding charms and traps Harry, with the help of Ron and Hermione, must pass through in order to save the day. Not only is this story enjoyable from start to finish, it is also both inspirational and educational. Children can learn a great deal from Harry Potter and the way he fights for good against evil no matter what the risks, remains forever loyal to his friends, and never gives up under the most trying of circumstances. Brave, noble, and true even at the worst of times, yet humble and shy in his moments of success and achievement, Harry Potter is truly a hero for the ages.

I totally LOVE this book! This is one of my favorite books in the whole world by my absolute FAVORITE author, L.M. Montgomery. Anne Shirley, the delightful, talkative orphan that Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert adopt, is an extraordinary character. She's so full of life that you just can't help loving her. L.M. Montgomery paints a wonderful picture of the small town of Avonlea, in Prince Edward Island, Canada, where the story is set. As Anne gets older and more mature, she also gets wiser and more loving - and lovable. I've read this book at least three times, and it is still one of my absolute favorites. Even though this is classified as a "children's book," adults will love it too, I know. I read it first when I was 9 or 10 years old, then again when I was about 12, and again, just recently (I'm only 14 now). I also think that it would be a wonderful book for moms and dads to read to their children, no matter how old or young they were.

This is one of the best books ever written and the credit goes to spirited Anne (make sure it's spelled with an "e"!) Shirley. It's not often you find such a charming heroine as Anne. ANNE OF GREEN GABLES is the first of a series on this lovable orphan, and it begins with Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert, a respectable brother and sister, living at Green Gables. They are both growing old and need a boy to help out on the farm. But they got a talkative redhead girl instead. Before they can send her back to the orphanage, Anne has managed to win the hearts of Prince Edward Island with her wit and imagination. She seems to affect everyone around her - from busybody Mrs. Rachel Lynde to handsome Gilbert Blythe. And now, Green Gables will never be the same! . . .

It's not often you find such a spirited and lovable heroine as Anne. Captivating and captivatED, Anne is full of enthusiasm and fun, which gets her into all sorts of scrapes. This book is one that you are guaranteed to laugh over, cry over, and never want to put down! It is an ideal novel that you won't want to pass up! (Even if you don't read the rest of the Anne books, read this!)

'People who haven't red hair don't know what trouble is. Mrs. Thomas told me that God made my hair red on purpose, and I've never cared about Him since.'

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

Upon arriving at the Cuthbert's home on Prince Edward Island, Anne Shirley, a vivacious and imaginative young orphan girl, was devastated to hear that she was a mistake. The Cuthbert's had wanted a boy. Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert, an elderly brother and sister, decide to keep her, and from that moment nothing is the same.
Cracking a slate across a boy's head, getting her best friend drunk (accidentally of course), saving a baby's life, and nearly drowning herself are all part of Anne's daily life. Marilla and the neighbors couldn't help but express their disappointment with the little newcomer'at first. To most she knows, Anne becomes an irreplaceable addition to sleepy Avonlea. Anne is changing too. Gradually she becomes more mature and learns to control her sometimes fiery temper.
Anne of Green Gables is unpredictable and hilarious; you can never tell what Anne will do next! I loved her endless questions about the world, and her passionate love of life. Anne Shirley is one of the most enjoyable characters I have ever read about, therefore, I would recommend this book to anyone.

I am probably correct when I say that many of you people out there, mainly children, don't like to read. Well, I guess that i could say the same about me, too until I actually decide to pick up a book. But when you pick up this exciting book, you just can't put it down. This book is called Redwall. The adventures of Matthias and his Abbey against the great Cluny the Scurge, will leave you with an everlasting, curious thought on what will happen next. Matthias makes his way from being a clumsy mouse to an adventurous, brave mouse that is seaking the possesions of the great Martin the Warrior, the great warrior of Redwall. And Cluny goes from being the fear in everyone's mind and fire in everyone's eyes to, I think we can beat this guy and, ohhh wow, Cluny the Scurge, I'm so afraid. This well written book, by Brian Jacques, keeps you reeding as he brings you back to the olden' days and makes you feel like you're right there in the action fighting Cluny and Matthias yourself. He makes you feel like you are wondering through the woods just waiting for what will happen next. So pick up this bbok and enter the lives of the animals of Redwall.

This is a great book. I always sort of ignored the REdwall series but when it was recomended to me, and it was supposed to be very good, I read Redwall, the first one. This bookis just packed with events and plots. Action! Adventure! Sword Fighting! Bad Guys! Battles! A Deadly Snake! Even though it kind of starts out slow in the beginning, DON'T STOP READING IT!!! It's about an evil rat named Cluny the Scourge, who wants Redwall, which is an Abbey, home of many woodland creatures and is surrounded by a red wall. When the Abbot of Redwall refuses to give Cluny Redwall, Cluny gets very angry. He gets a huge army and they start attacking Redwall. Redwall has an advantage and a disadvantage. Their advantage is that they have a badger named Constance who is very strong and kills many rats. Their disadvantage is that they don't have swords like Cluny's army, they have wooden staffs that don't do much damage to the rats. Matthias, who is just a mouse, knows that he will need Martin the Warrior's sword, who is a great mouse that protected Redwall long before and all of Redwall adores him. Matthias's friend, Methuselah, finds a riddle on a wall. It tells Matthias that to get the case for the sword, then he has to go through this secret passage. There, he finds another riddle, if I remember correctly, telling him how to get the actual sword. Soon, Matthias is sent on a wild adventure, facing many dangers, trying to get Martin's sword. This book is now my favorite book and that's saying a lot, because I've read many of them. If you are making the mistake that I made (ignoring the Redwall series), then you should buy this book. It is just so good that I can't put how excellent it is in words. A great read and an excellent start to the Redwall series.

Do you know what I think about this book? I think it is simply AWESOME!!! I think this book is for those people who like murder and bloody and gory stuff like that. You know what I like about this book? The way they say that somebody died. In chapter 4 I remember how they said that Skullface lay in a red mist of death. And how Cluny said that tell the devil Cluny sent you,Skullface. This is only 1 reason I like Redwall. So I reccommend this book. But still there is mild language. Like hell and morons.

Phantom Tollbooth Written By Norton Juster Reviewed by Adam

Milo is a kid with no opinion about anything. He never likes what he is doing, but sees no point in doing anything else. As he says, "It seems to me that almost everything is a waste of time. There's nothing for me to do, nowhere I'd care to go, and hardly anything worth seeing." One day he receives a strange package containing one genuine tollbooth, one set of instructions, and one road map. Expecting this to be just a dumb activity, Milo puts the tollbooth together and drives through it in a small electric car. He travels through a strange land to a city called Dictionopolis, on the way picking up the Watch dog Tock, who has a watch for a body. Once in Dictionopolis, Milo, Tock, and their newfound friend the watchdog and the Humbug are caught up in a quest to save the princesses Rhyme and Reason and restore order to the world. On the way he meets strange people like the Whether Man ("for after all it's more important to know whether there will be weather than what the weather will be") and Alec Bings who sees the other side of things and is born in the air and grows down to the ground. Milo and his newfound friends Tock the watchdog and the Humbug are caught up in a quest to save the princesses Rhyme and Reason and restore order to the world.

Norton Juster does a great job making The Phantom Tollbooth enjoyable and humorous. He combines clever puns and real pieces of literature and math to make an extremely interesting story.

" I read [The Phantom Tollbooth] first when I was 10. I still have the book report I wrote, which began 'This is the best book ever.'" --Anna Quindlen, The New York Times

"A classic... Humorous, full of warmth and real invention." --The New Yorker

I rate this book 10/10 stars.

After my first reading of 'The Phantom Tollbooth', it became,and still remains, my favorite young reader book. I wrote two book reports on it for my middle school reading classes. I even received a copy of it as a tenth birthday present. Ever since, I've read it from cover to cover at least once a year.

As a child, I enjoyed reading the strange adventures of a bored Milo embarking on his legendary quest. As an adult, I enjoy the tome's play on words, such as the Whether man ("It's more important to know whether there will be weather, rather than what the weather will be") and the Isle of Conclusions, a place you have to jump to to get there. I also love the book's personifying such abstract concepts as statistics, like the (literally) half a child that Milo meets who's the end result of the average family having 2.58 children. It also has neat takes on people's points of view, like the boy who grows down, rather than up. Needless to say, it's pretty apparent that even though I loved this book as a kid, I appreciate it much more as an adult.

If you remember reading this as a child, I strongly recommend you give it a look again. You'll likely pick up on quite a few things in the story that you might not have gotten the gist of in your youth!

'Late

I read this book when I was nine. Now I am eleven, and it is still a great book to read. I am actually doing a book report on it for school right now! The characters, ecspecially Tock, are great and the book is sarcastically funny. This book is about a forlorn boy who needs some fun and exciting adventures. He drives through the phantom tollbooth and through the lands beyond. But then he gets stuck on a dangerous mission, rescuing Rhyme and Reason. You'll have to read it to find out the rest! I'd recommend this book to anyone with imagination!