First published in the 1960s, Norton Juster's The Phantom Tollbooth is sort of an allegorical tale about the importance of using the mind-- reason, intellect, appreciation of beauty and life around you.
When young Milo arrives home from school to find a strange box in his living room which he assembles into a tollbooth, he embarks on a journey into a strange land. A place where, ultimately, nothing good will happen without the return of the banished princesses Rhyme and Reason, who live in the castle in the clouds. Milo, Tock the watchdog, and the Humbug agree to attempt the princesses' rescue. Along the way, a change begins to occur inside of Milo. Instead of being bored and never wanting to be where he is, he learns to enjoy each moment and to appreciate the gifts that life brings, though they come in all shapes and sizes.
I really enjoyed this book. If you read and enjoyed Julie Andrews' The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles, you'll like The Phantom Tollbooth. If you haven't read The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles, then get to it!
The Phantom Tollbooth is worth checking out, too.
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