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Sunday, June 13, 2010

favorite book

todays blog prompt at Inkwell asks everyone to blog about their favorite book.

Well, if you know me, I couldn't possibly pick just one book as my favorite. There are far too many fabulous books I've loved and recommended and blogged about. However, I will share a book I read a long time ago which, back then, would've been classified as MG, or 'middle grade' fiction. I've been thinking about it lately for some reason and I'm pretty sure I have a copy around here somewhere. It's called The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster.

Milo is a young boy who is absolutely and completely bored. Then he receives a mysterious present, a  'tollbooth' which comes complete with a car and the necessary toll. Having nothing better to do Milo follows the instructions and much to his surprise is soon toodling away from his room and into someplace completely interesting. I haven't read this book in a while but some of the scenes that still make me smile are where Milo 'tastes' letters (and the letters taste just as you would expect), the Dolldrums where the days events range from dawdling to lollygagging, or one of my favorites, the orchestra welcoming the dawn, beginning with a single note that suggests the first light of day to the whole orchestra which signals the morning in all its glory.

Needless to say, Milo is not bored and you won't be either should you read this book. And don't think it's just for kids. As Amazon's review says, "anyone with an appreciation for language, irony, or Alice in Wonderland-style adventure will adore this book for years on end."

This book was written in 1961 and it is still selling copies today.

3 comments:

  1. Wow, if I could be so lucky. Mine will be written in 2010 and selling fifty years later. Nice! Thanks for sharing.

    Liz

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  2. I've heard lots of good things about this book though I've not read it. I agree with you. It's too hard to pick just one favorite book

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