Name ____________________________________________________________ Period _____
The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
Weekly Reading Assignments
We will be reading The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster. Throughout the novel, we will work with
the elements of stories and a variety of literary devices. In order to be ready for our classwork, you will
need to complete your readings and some written work as homework. Additionally, you will take a quiz
over the chapters read on the date that the reading is due, so pay attention!
You will be reading the novel in three chunks. For each chunk, please complete the summary and RACE
response as listed below. Do all of your work on notebook paper or type your answers.
Assignment 1: Read Ch. 1-6 (p. 9 – 79)
Due __________
Summary (10 points)
Write a 1-2 paragraph summary of what you read in chapters 1-6. Your summary should include a topic
sentence with the title, author, and main idea. It should also include the main events of the chapters read.
RACE Response (12 points)
Select one of the following questions and respond with a RACE response.
1. What adjective best describes Milo’s character at the beginning of the story? Why?
2. Look up the word doldrums. Why is the Doldrums an appropriate name for where the Lethargarians
live?
3. How is Milo’s character at the beginning of the story similar to the Lethargarians’ characters?
Assignment 2: Read Ch. 7-13 (p. 80 – 170)
Due __________
Summary (10 points)
Write a 1-2 paragraph summary of what you read in chapters 7-13. Your summary should include a
topic sentence with the title, author, and main idea. It should also include the main events of the chapters
read.
RACE Response (12 points)
Select one of the following questions and respond with a RACE response.
1. Is the Humbug a reliable and loyal companion? Why or why not?
2. Why does Tock’s personality make him a good companion for Milo on the journey to rescue Rhyme
and Reason?
3. Look up the word chroma. Why is Chroma the Great an appropriate name for the conductor of the
sunrise and sunset?
Assignment 3: Read Ch. 14-20 (p. 171 – 256)
Due __________
Summary (10 points)
Write a 1-2 paragraph summary of what you read in chapters 14-20. Your summary should include a
topic sentence with the title, author, and main idea. It should also include the main events of the chapters
read.
RACE Response (12 points)
Select one of the following questions and respond with a RACE response.
1. Is Dictionopolis or Digitopolis more important in the Kingdom of Wisdom? Why?
2. What adjective best describes Milo’s character at the end of the story? Why?
3. Is Milo a static or dynamic character? Why?