The Mysterious Benedict Society | Trenton Lee Stewart | wonderful book for children AND adults

The Mysterious Benedict Society | Trenton Lee Stewart | The new "favorite" book of all

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The Mysterious Ben...

	The Mysterious Benedict Society Trenton Lee Stewart Little, Brown Young Readers, 2007 - 485 pages average customer review:based on 99 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

wonderful book for children AND adults

I read this book myself and when I finished I couldn't wait to start reading it with my own children. We are about three-quarters of the way through and they are loving it as much as I did. This is the story of four children who are alone in the world but who become a team after answering a newspaper ad promising 'special opportunities' and passing a series of tests, which are themselves unique and fun -- testing for traits that are not immediately apparent. After the team is formed, the kids must attend an isolated school run by a villainous mastermind trying to (of course) take over the world! The book is immediately engaging and tists and suspense capture children's interest quickly and continue unabated. The book has clues, puzzles, adventure, kid heroes and a terrrific ending. I can't wait to read the next one -- I'm not waiting for the kids!

I really liked that the children are a true team, each with unique and essential talents, and they help each other -- they could not succeed in their mission without each one of them. There are bad guys who are evil but not nightmare-inducing; there are dilemmas and doubts which are surmounted; not all the adults are bad or stupid, as in many children's books; and the resolution is believable, fun and satisfying. What I didn't like was ... well, I can't think of a thing.

This book can be read alone by capable 5th graders (and despite its length it will keep them interested) or it's a terrific read-aloud book.

Highly recommended.

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The new "favorite" book of all

My 11 year old said that this book was the BEST book ever. I bought it because it was the book club selection for DUKE University TIP program. I think she finished it in a day and a half. She can't wait to read the sequel. It is about gifted children-

Courtesy of Teens Read Too

Reynard (or Reynie, as he prefers to be called) Muldoon is not your average eleven-year-old boy. First of all, he lives in an orphanage where he is constantly teased by all the other children. Then there's the fact that he's a genius. He's so smart that he needs his own tutor, Ms. Perumal, who is really more of a friend to him. It's because of Ms. Perumal that Reynie happened to be reading the newspaper that held a one-of-a-kind advertisement. "Are You a Gifted Child Looking for Special Opportunities?" Not only does this advertisement catch Reynie's eye, but that of many young children. All of these children enroll to take several tests consisting of many brain teasers. Out of all the children, though, only four succeed, with Reynie being one of the four.

The children are all immediately drawn to each other. Not just because of their exceptional mental abilities, but also because they are all alone. Reynie, Kate, and Constance are all orphans, and Sticky has run away from a miserable home life. When they all finish with their tests they are led to a mysterious old house where they are introduced to Mr. Benedict. Mr. Benedict is an intriguing and incredibly smart man who has a secret mission for the children that only they can complete.

To fulfill their mission, the children must go undercover at the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened. The headmaster of the school, Mr. Curtain, is up to no good, and it is up to the children to figure out what he is up to and hopefully stop him. It will be no easy feat, as the children will have to wrap their minds around puzzle after puzzle and face challenges that not even their wildest dreams could have ever created. With no choice but to turn to each other, the children embark on a journey that will forever change their lives.

I have heard nothing but good things about this book. Needless to say, I had high expectations for it. Overall, I really enjoyed THE MYSTERIOUS BENEDICT SOCIETY, except I found that at times it was a bit lacking. First, I want to say that the author's writing style was marvelous. It definitely had the magic feeling that Roald Dahl put into his books that made them so wonderful. There was that extra umph to the book that made it quite enjoyable. Returning again to my reference of Roald Dahl, I felt like the adventure these kids went on was much like the adventure Charlie from CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY went on, without the candy!

While the book is directed at a more middle grade audience, I still found myself enjoying the adventure and solving the riddles along with the children. Overall, I enjoyed the story and think it would be a great book for both reluctant readers and middle graders.

Reviewed by: Tasha

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Superb Children's Book

While I am an adult and not chronologically a child (one could argue my outlook is somewhat childlike at times), I certainly enjoyed this book and think children would enjoy it as much if not more than I. It feels a bit like reading a Harry Potter book in that fantasy and real world happily combine. Highly recommended for all children and some adults, especially those who enjoy reading Harry Potter books.

Overrated but kinda cute

I was excited to read this novel and share it with my 10 year old. We both came away disappointed. Although the kids always are in "danger" the book doesn't feel very exciting. The gifted kids, with the exception of Sticky, don't seem very gifted. The ending was a little too trite (even for my 10 year old). The pacing is uneven and the puzzles aren't very puzzling.

Its an OK book but definately not deserving of the hype.

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