The Mysterious Benedict Society | Trenton Lee Stewart | Wonderful mysterious adventure story for...

The Mysterious Benedict Society | Trenton Lee Stewart | A stupendously smart story of singularly-super spy sprogs

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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 mysterious adventure story for children

I'm often drawn to the Juvenile Fiction section of our library. On this journey, I was not disappointed! This story offers clever puzzles, interesting character development, and a topsy-turvy adventure that keeps you turning the pages, but seldom cringing.

A stupendously smart story of singularly-super spy sprogs

The Mysterious Benedict Society begins with a whole lot of children appearing at the appointed place in response to a newspaper ad asking, "Are you a gifted child looking for special opportunities." After a series of unusual tests (my favorite part of the book), only four remain. The foursome is destined to become a team of spies at The Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened, run by mastermind genius Ledroptha Curtain. Their mission is to secretly investigate Curtain and his mind-altering device, while masquerading as regular students. Armed with little beyond brains, a bit of brawn, and a bucket, the kids are dropped off at the island school. They learn about its student leaders, the Messengers and Executives, who are given special privileges involving (beware of upcoming spoilers) the Whisperer, a machine invented by Curtain that filters his messages through the minds of certain pupils, which are then transferred directly into the brains of others by way of TV, radio and phone signals. They, in turn, trigger memories of longer, more specific doublespeak-like messages. Children must be used because (p 101) "Where adult thoughts would lumber into the mind like an elephant, children's creep in on cat feet and find a shadowy place to hide." Sticky, Reynie, Kate and Constance keep their leader, Mr. Benedict (thus the group's name), and his two odd intellectual assistants apprised of the situation by using riddles transmitted by Morse code. Keeping ahead of Curtain's minions and the evil Recruiters while trying to learn the mysteries of the Whisperer and its workings leads to several close calls (and a lot of entertainment for the reader). A mind is a terrible thing to waste. And it won't be as long as Mr. Benedict and his team are on the case. The Mysterious Benedict Society is a smart book about a varied group of pre-teens that push past their fears to solve a mental mystery, supporting the contention that you can do anything if you put your mind to it. Its humor, challenging vocabulary, and original plot make it an excellent choice for nine to eleven-year-old science fiction and mystery fans. Also good: The Tale of Despereaux by Kate Dicamillo, A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket, Coraline by Neil Gaiman, and The Giver by Lois Lowery.

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There should be an option of 6 stars...

Amazing, out-of-this-world stuff! Adventure, witty descriptions, comical actions. Lee perfectly paced the story and gave characters depth where I grew to love each and every one of them. Reynie, Sticky, Kate, and Constance faced dangers that left me wondering whether luck shall befall them or not. Written in a very entertaining way, I never had a moment where I wished it weren't dinnertime or bedtime.

I had been looking for a book that would grasp me and not let me go. This was it. I marveled (and still do) at the author's talent for putting together such a wonderful and creative story. From the moment at Border's Bookstore I saw the cover and read the back description, I felt like this was for me. I'm ever so glad I took the risk of buying an unknown book (as in this risk you have about a 1 in 3 chance you'll like it).

If you are a person reading this review whether child or adult, I promise you, The Mysterious Benedict Society won't let you down. From beginning to end (and literally to the last page), the adventure and purity of storytelling will reach out to you, so when you're done you'll say "Wow," and write a review full of praise.

P.S. Pay close attention to the names. They're all really quite interesting.

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wonderful!

I really loved this book, and I think everyone should read it! Plenty of suspense and mystery.When 4 smart, strange and eccentric kids go out to save the world, why wouldn't it be great? After reading this, check out the sequel, The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey (Mysterious Benedict Society)

simply wonderful

A very simple but well written story. The characters are well developed.
I will definetely read the 2nd title.

reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, page 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16

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