The Phantom Tollbooth
Recommended. Age: 9+. A Catholic review of this book for parents.
Our review
Milo is a boy who is bored with everything. One day a magic toy tollbooth appears, and he drives through it into a funny land of words and numbers. With a watchdog named Tock, he goes on a quest to bring back two lost princesses, Rhyme and Reason. A witty, joyful book that makes learning feel like an adventure. Age 9, set by the publisher's 9-12 range (Common Sense Media says 8+).
For parents
Age 9, set by the publisher's 9-12 range (Common Sense Media says 8+; the higher publisher age wins; Lumen's read-alone age is also 9). Read it aloud from 7, since the puns land better out loud. The demons in the Mountains of Ignorance are allegories of bad habits, like wasting time and insincerity, not occult beings. Ask: which demon is hardest for you? Talk about Rhyme and Reason, and how God made our minds to love what is true. A great book for a bored child.