The Anti-Book (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9780525552413)

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Name of This Book Is Secret comes a darkly funny story about a boy who wants the world to disappear. This fantastical quest for comfort and belonging was called "a surprisingly powerful, formula-breaking coming-of-age story" by the New York Times.

Mickey is angry all the time: at his divorced parents, at his sister, and at his two new stepmoms, both named Charlie. And so he can't resist the ad inside his pack of gum: "Do you ever wish everyone would go away? Buy The Anti-Book! Satisfaction guaranteed." He orders the book, but when it arrives, it's blank--except for one line of instruction: To erase it, write it. He fills the pages with all the things and people he dislikes . . .

Next thing he knows, he's wandering an anti-world, one in which everything and everyone familiar is gone. Or are they? His sister soon reappears--but she's only four inches tall. A tiny talking house with wings looks strangely familiar, as does the mysterious half-invisible boy who seems to think that he and Mickey are best buds. The boy persuades Mickey to go find the Bubble Gum King--the king, who resides at the top of a mountain, is the only one who might be able help Mickey fix the mess he's made.

From Raphael Simon (a.k.a. beloved author Pseudonymous Bosch!) comes this Phantom Tollbooth for today's generation--a fantastical quest for comfort and belonging that will resonate with many, many readers.

Author: Raphael Simon
ISBN-10: 0525552413
ISBN-13: 9780525552413
Publisher: Rocky Pond Books
Language: English
Published: 04/06/2021
Pages: 320
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 0.95lbs
Size: 8.40h x 5.70w x 1.40d

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 4
Point Value: 7
Interest Level: Middle Grade
Quiz #/Name: 516198 / Anti-Book


Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 02/01/2021
School Library Journal 04/01/2021 pg. 124
Publishers Weekly 04/05/2021
Booklist 04/01/2021 pg. 63