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The Pagemaster
A young boy who is afraid of everything gets trapped in the local library, where he befriends three strange characters, Adventure, Fantasy, and Horror, and must overcome his fears while journeying through Storyland towards the Exit Sign. Movie tie-in.
https://openlibrary.org/books/OL78851...
https://openlibrary.org/books/OL78851...
134 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1994
3 people are currently reading
270 people want to read
About the author
Todd Strasser
221 books797 followersTodd Strasser is an American author of more than 130 novels for adults, young-adults, and middle graders.
His most recent novel is Summer of '69
Booklist review: "Drugs, sex, and rock 'n' roll, those hallmarks of the summer of 1969, are all here, but there's so much more. In this loosely autobiographical novel, Strasser introduces 18-year-old Lucas, who is bright and sensitive but also a screw up…. The picture painted of the Woodstock music festival shows the dark side of peace and love, and the prevalence of drugs is on almost every page…The best part of the book, however, is the one that transcends eras: Lucas' introspection as he contemplates his place in the world."
Kirkus review: "Strasser perfectly captures the golden haze of youth and life on the cusp of adulthood. Readers fascinated with this time period will find much to enjoy... Vietnam, Woodstock, road trips, and acid trips: a sweetly bittersweet, surprising, even melancholy bildungsroman set against a world in flux. Groovy, man."
His most recent young adult novel is Price of Duty:
2018 New York Public Library Best Book for Teens
“Compact and suspenseful, the novel raises important questions about war.” – Kirkus
“This thought-provoking book is both welcome and imperative.” – Booklist * (starred review).
"Rather than attempting to sway the reader, it offers awareness." - VOYA
“Tightly wound and compelling ... appropriate for an older middle school and high school audience. VERDICT: Highly recommended.” – School Library Journal
Bio: Todd was born in New York City. When he was young his parents moved to Roslyn Heights, New York (Long Island). Todd went to the I.U. Willets Elementary school and then attended the Wheatley School for junior high and high school. His best subjects were math and science. He also liked to read, but he had trouble with spelling and grammar, and didn't do well in English. His favorite sports were tennis, skiing and fishing. Todd went to college at New York University for a few years, and then dropped out. He lived on a commune, then lived in Europe where he was a street musician.
All the while, Todd wrote songs and poems and lots of letters to his friends back home. Finally he decided to try being a writer. He returned to the United States and went to Beloit College where he studied literature and writing.
After college, Todd worked at the Middletown Times Herald-Record newspaper in Middletown, New York, and later at Compton Advertising in New York City. In 1978, Todd sold his first novel, Angel Dust Blues. He used the money to start the Dr. Wing Tip Shoo fortune cookie company. For the next 12 years, Todd sold more fortune cookies than books.
Todd now divides his time between writing books and speaking at schools and conferences. When he's at home, he likes to spend time with his children and dog, Cooper. He still likes to play tennis and ski, but his favorite new sport is surfing.
His most recent novel is Summer of '69
Booklist review: "Drugs, sex, and rock 'n' roll, those hallmarks of the summer of 1969, are all here, but there's so much more. In this loosely autobiographical novel, Strasser introduces 18-year-old Lucas, who is bright and sensitive but also a screw up…. The picture painted of the Woodstock music festival shows the dark side of peace and love, and the prevalence of drugs is on almost every page…The best part of the book, however, is the one that transcends eras: Lucas' introspection as he contemplates his place in the world."
Kirkus review: "Strasser perfectly captures the golden haze of youth and life on the cusp of adulthood. Readers fascinated with this time period will find much to enjoy... Vietnam, Woodstock, road trips, and acid trips: a sweetly bittersweet, surprising, even melancholy bildungsroman set against a world in flux. Groovy, man."
His most recent young adult novel is Price of Duty:
2018 New York Public Library Best Book for Teens
“Compact and suspenseful, the novel raises important questions about war.” – Kirkus
“This thought-provoking book is both welcome and imperative.” – Booklist * (starred review).
"Rather than attempting to sway the reader, it offers awareness." - VOYA
“Tightly wound and compelling ... appropriate for an older middle school and high school audience. VERDICT: Highly recommended.” – School Library Journal
Bio: Todd was born in New York City. When he was young his parents moved to Roslyn Heights, New York (Long Island). Todd went to the I.U. Willets Elementary school and then attended the Wheatley School for junior high and high school. His best subjects were math and science. He also liked to read, but he had trouble with spelling and grammar, and didn't do well in English. His favorite sports were tennis, skiing and fishing. Todd went to college at New York University for a few years, and then dropped out. He lived on a commune, then lived in Europe where he was a street musician.
All the while, Todd wrote songs and poems and lots of letters to his friends back home. Finally he decided to try being a writer. He returned to the United States and went to Beloit College where he studied literature and writing.
After college, Todd worked at the Middletown Times Herald-Record newspaper in Middletown, New York, and later at Compton Advertising in New York City. In 1978, Todd sold his first novel, Angel Dust Blues. He used the money to start the Dr. Wing Tip Shoo fortune cookie company. For the next 12 years, Todd sold more fortune cookies than books.
Todd now divides his time between writing books and speaking at schools and conferences. When he's at home, he likes to spend time with his children and dog, Cooper. He still likes to play tennis and ski, but his favorite new sport is surfing.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
March 31, 2024
4 stars.
Ohh how I wish I read this as a child. I would have loved it. That said, I do still appreciate it now and how strongly it manages to make you remember your own personal love for books.
This is an incredible adventure story about being brave and facing your fears.
Absolutely loved this. Can't wait to now watch the movie.
Ohh how I wish I read this as a child. I would have loved it. That said, I do still appreciate it now and how strongly it manages to make you remember your own personal love for books.
This is an incredible adventure story about being brave and facing your fears.
Absolutely loved this. Can't wait to now watch the movie.
April 18, 2022
Ik jatte dit boek altijd van mijn broer toen ik kind was. Niet om het te lezen, want dat kon ik toen nog niet zo goed, maar vanwege de illustraties. De illustraties zijn echt prachtig en zijn echt wel een toevoeging aan het verhaal. Het verhaal zelf is vrij simpel maar zit wel goed in elkaar. Ik vind het persoonlijk fijn dat de schrijver de hoofdpersoon in 94 bladzijde een sterker persoon kan maken. Sommige boeken doen daar iets langer over. Ik had het wel leuker gevonden als het boek iets langer was geweest, want je kan zoveel meer met de genres die in dit boek aan bod kwamen!
August 20, 2017
I seen the movie of this years ago when I was a kid and thought I'd finally read the book, I am so glad that I did! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and it took me right back to when I was a kid!
All of the stories in this book are awesome and I loved the way it was written. I love the character Horror :)
I recommend this book to people of all ages. It makes me want to watch the movie again! 5 stars from me!
All of the stories in this book are awesome and I loved the way it was written. I love the character Horror :)
I recommend this book to people of all ages. It makes me want to watch the movie again! 5 stars from me!
May 9, 2019
All the nostalgia with this book! My kids loved it and I can’t wait for them to watch the movie now! Great read!
October 25, 2025
Though often dismissed as a movie tie-in, The Pagemaster deserves a second look through a mythic and philosophical lens. Beneath its brisk adventure lies a potent allegory about fear, transformation, and the sacred power of story. Richard Tyler, a boy paralyzed by caution, is thrust into a surreal library realm where books become living archetypes - Adventure, Fantasy, and Horror - each representing facets of the human psyche and the trials of growing up.
The journey through Storyland isn't just a plot device - it's a metaphor for inner reckoning. Richard's encounters with literary legends mirror the classic hero's journey, but with a twist: the monsters he faces are projections of his own anxieties, and the exit sign becomes a symbol of self-realization. The library itself functions as a liminal space - a temple of imagination where fear is transmuted into courage through narrative immersion.
Strasser's prose may be simple, but the themes are anything but. This is a tale about the alchemy of reading - how stories shape identity, challenge assumptions, and offer sanctuary. For adult readers attuned to metaphor and myth, The Pagemaster is more than nostalgic - it's a compact fable about the transformative power of literature.
The journey through Storyland isn't just a plot device - it's a metaphor for inner reckoning. Richard's encounters with literary legends mirror the classic hero's journey, but with a twist: the monsters he faces are projections of his own anxieties, and the exit sign becomes a symbol of self-realization. The library itself functions as a liminal space - a temple of imagination where fear is transmuted into courage through narrative immersion.
Strasser's prose may be simple, but the themes are anything but. This is a tale about the alchemy of reading - how stories shape identity, challenge assumptions, and offer sanctuary. For adult readers attuned to metaphor and myth, The Pagemaster is more than nostalgic - it's a compact fable about the transformative power of literature.
February 17, 2025
Averaged it to 3.5 stars between my 4 kids.
I was so excited to read this book to my kids. The movie was a big part of my childhood. I love that it takes place in a library and is centered around books, especially the Classics.
It is a very quick read with 14 small chapters. We read half before bed and finished it during breakfast the following morning.
Now that we've finished, we will plan a family movie night to watch the film.
I was so excited to read this book to my kids. The movie was a big part of my childhood. I love that it takes place in a library and is centered around books, especially the Classics.
It is a very quick read with 14 small chapters. We read half before bed and finished it during breakfast the following morning.
Now that we've finished, we will plan a family movie night to watch the film.
May 7, 2017
Lo leí de pequeña, pero lo tengo en mi colección de libros guardado con mucho cariño. sin duda un libro que leerán mis futuros hijos... recomendado para todos los niños y no tan niños, que disfrutan con la fantasía. Es precioso :)
September 18, 2022
Libro pasable que me leí siendo jovencita. La principal lección que enseña es a respetar y valorar a los libros e intentar mostrar el bien que hace la lectura. Obviamente y viendo la sociedad que tenemos, el mensaje no caló demasiado.
October 24, 2022
Really cute book!
Overall I’d say it was 4.5/5 stars.
Loved the references to other books in the book, always like that! The story is short and very quick moving. Just overall very cute and has good morals!
Overall I’d say it was 4.5/5 stars.
Loved the references to other books in the book, always like that! The story is short and very quick moving. Just overall very cute and has good morals!
January 12, 2019
Good message. But I'm a little bit too old to enjoy this book but for a kid, I think it would be a cute little adventure.
September 20, 2020
Uno dei libri più belli della mia infanzia! ❤️
January 6, 2021
Il libro d’infanzia che mi ha fatto amare la lettura ❤️
July 11, 2021
This book was such a lovely read. I loved the movie as a kid and its why I bought the book. So many childhood memories. It was so good. A good book for young readers.
October 20, 2022
Me lo leí en su día y me flipó. Perfecto para chavales de 8-10 años que están empezando a engancharse a la lectura
December 1, 2022
I remember watching the movie.
The book is just as good. It is probably also thanks to movies like this and stories like this that I love reading so much.
The book is just as good. It is probably also thanks to movies like this and stories like this that I love reading so much.
September 5, 2023
Whatever you imagined
January 30, 2015
Cometí el error de ver la película antes de leer el libro. Y es que el libro y la película son idénticos, la película tiene frases literales del libro y por tanto, me aburrí mucho leyéndolo porque sabía todo lo que iba a pasar.
Aun así puedo deciros que es un libro infantil fantástico para niños de unos 8 a 11 años, aunque yo siendo mayor lo leyera por curiosidad. Es muy divertido y me gustó encontrar en él a personajes de otros libros clásicos. Es un libro adecuado para lectores, así sabrás de que personajes habla.
Aun así puedo deciros que es un libro infantil fantástico para niños de unos 8 a 11 años, aunque yo siendo mayor lo leyera por curiosidad. Es muy divertido y me gustó encontrar en él a personajes de otros libros clásicos. Es un libro adecuado para lectores, así sabrás de que personajes habla.
April 11, 2011
Quick and fun read, even though it reads as a film novelization and it shows sometimes. If it was a real MG it would benefit from some deepening characterization.
But kids enjoy it and read it so quickly it's nice to see them flipping pages!
But kids enjoy it and read it so quickly it's nice to see them flipping pages!
February 27, 2014
Wow, it sucks! My first script-book adaptation and I'm feeling really disappointed. A lots of "Pum! Pam! Piu!".. Descriptions of the things I saw in the movie when I was a kid and nothing more. Wow. No. Really horrible.
February 23, 2014
I read this book when I was 8. And after I was done, I felt sooo proud of myself for what I have accomplished. I never stopped reading since!! It's amazing what one little book can do to a persons life <3!!!
January 3, 2008
This was my favorite book when I was young. I read it a bunch of times.
January 18, 2013
You could tell that this was taken straight from the movie. I forget what they call these kinds of books..the kids seemed to like it though!
May 14, 2017
Read this because of the movie. Enjoyed this, but I felt that the story (including the movie) could really do better.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews