Customer Reviews

The Misadventures of Benjamin Bartholomew Piff: You Wish

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Everything is bright and normal in Benjamin Bartholomew Piff's life until that terrible day when his parents are killed in a plane crash. There are no other relatives for him to live with, so he is put into Pinch's Home for Wayward Boys, "a dilapidated orphanage converted from a windowless industrial building that once produced dental tools."

There are several things wrong with this setup for 11-year old Benjamin: 1) He is not "wayward"; 2) There is nothing home-like about the place; and 3) He hates it. In addition, the awful orphanage chef, Solomon Roach, always seems to be punishing Benjamin for something, and Eliza Pinch's "perfume smelled of an old cat box." Eliza is the head of the orphanage and an old spinster who doesn't like children and is bent on making his life miserable. The one very bright spot in Benjamin's sad life is a little stray terrier dog he call Rags. Of course pets are not allowed, so Benjamin is forced to sneak away for short times to feed small scraps to his little friend.

Benjamin also has a plan. The old gardener at the orphanage, Mr. Kunkel, has been giving Benjamin quarters for helping out with little things. It's Mr. Kunkel who has allowed Benjamin to keep his puppy in an old doghouse on the property. But the nice old man has been fired. Now Benjamin visits Rags and keeps his little bag of saved quarters hidden away. His plan is going fine until one evening when Ms. Pinch catches him sneaking out of the doghouse. That's the end of his money, and Benjamin is losing hope fast.

So who would have guessed that when the social worker drops off a birthday cake for Benjamin, who completely forgot about the big day, his life would completely change? And what kind of birthday wish does he make? Why, just what every kid would wish for in his situation --- that he would be granted all the wishes he could ever want! Suddenly everything is different: Mr. Roach is waiting on him, Ms. Pinch adores him, he's ordering big screen televisions, computer games, ice cream, candy and all sorts of goodies to make himself and the boys totally happy at the orphanage. WOW! This is the way life should always be!

But there's not much happiness in the world of Wishworks. Benjamin's wishes are throwing everything into chaos; if he doesn't stop, then something really terrible is going to happen. Thomas Candlewick, who is about to become the new leader of Wishworks, is on high alert when Benjamin's disastrous birthday wish becomes known. With the assistance of flying chairs, fairies, genies and an assortment of other strange little characters, Mr. Candlewick realizes that they must pay Benjamin a visit before greater disaster strikes.

This is where Benjamin's story gets even more fun, because he is transported to the Wishworks world and is soon engaged in a battle against Curseworks (a group determined to take over Wishworks and all the good things they do). Lots of action ensues, and Benjamin must overcome many fears and make some extremely difficult decisions.

One of the great charms found in Jason Lethcoe's book is the addition of many delightful, informative footnotes from the world of Wishworks. Explanations are given for word definitions, histories and characters. For instance, what exactly is a Thaumaturgic Cardioscope, or when and where did Wishworks originate? Characters are given creative names like Wolfgang Warblegrunt (the founder of Wishworks historical library) and Leonardo Snifflewiffle (past president of Wishworks). A wonderful map is provided, an appendix of past presidents of Wishworks is attached and lighthearted illustrations by the author himself are scattered throughout.

Benjamin's misadventures are just beginning, so readers can look forward to more stories in future installments. Younger fans of Harry Potter-like fantasies will be sure to want this book on their shelves.

--- Reviewed by Sally M. Tibbetts

This book is incredible! I can see myself championing Benjamin like I do Harry! I hear that the author has the second and third book in the series due out in July and October. Ben is clever and the story is very compelling. I can't wait for the second one! I am glad this book came out just in time because the 7th HP book is coming out July 21st! Woot! Can't Wait! This series will keep me going now. I think a good description of this book would be a Harry Potter meets Willy Wonka type story. Benjamin wishes for unlimited wishes and adheres to all of the secret "wishing rules" and the Wishworks factory goes into a frenzy trying to grant his requests! I think this series has the potential to be huge!

The Misadventures of Benjamin Bartholomew Piff

***1/2

Ever since his parents died in a tragic accident, poor Ben has been stuck at Pinch's Home for Wayward Boys, scrubbing pots and eating mush and other normal orphanage-type stuff. He even forgot his birthday, until a kind friend brings him a cake. When he sneaks a slice to eat, he stares thoughtfully at the candle a moment. Finally he closes his eyes, blows, and makes a wish. Little does he know that his wish could change the whole world.

This was a fun, cute book that I zipped right through. The characters were disappointingly flat, but the plot was inventive and the story over-all engaging. A light read that young children who enjoy "wishes-go-wrong" stories are sure to enjoy.

I enjoyed this light adventure. It had many fun and entertaining characters and adventures. I especially liked the part about forgiveness.
Looking forward to the next Misadventures of Ben..
Shirley

i simply picked this book up at the library one day and its awesomness made my mouth gape. It was a heartfelt tale about a quest for a boy toright his wrong. It has action,love insanity genius power life and sixty other things all wrapped intp one book.My only complaint is that this a yet another orphan story, but this is small compared to the coolness of this book. Great read!

This is a great book for younger readers to quickly engage themselves in. While it has some fun magical creativity in it, the characters are not developed very much, and the story lacks a lot of the detail that I loved in books like Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, and Fablehaven. Because of that, the plot is able to roll along steadily, so kids who don't like to trod through exposition will enjoy it a lot.

As an adult who enjoys creative kid/young adult fantasy, it didn't really do much for me. I don't feel the need to read the rest of the series.

This story is an absolute delight to read. It is ideal for children from around 8 onwards and is particularly good for all children who have ever made a birthday wish. Adventures are exciting and a bit scary while still being suitable for the age group. My daughter and I loved reading it together.

My son is a reluctent reader and Ihave been encouraging my 12 yr old to read. To get him started I read the first few chapters to him and his brother. He took the book and hid in his room reading like crazy. It has enough action to keep my tweens interest. He now wants the whole set... Yeah a victory for both of us he is happily reading!!!!

This book is amazing. The story, the characters, the action, and excitement. My two daughters, 12 and 7, both loved it(and so did I) I would truly recommend it to anybody, from 7-15!

Benjamin Bartholomew Piff is a very lonely boy. He lives at Pinch's Wayward Home for Boys. The place where Mr. Roach is the self-appointed punishment dealer--uh-oh. Almost daily he gets forced to clean Roach's greasy pots... with a toothbrush! Naturally, Ben gets even more determined every day to plan an escape. One problem: how?
On the morning of his bday Ben brushes out more big vats, Ben finishes with two minutes to spare and races outside to the oversize doghouse. There he dumps his contents out and tells Rags, the dog, that they have to leave for the bus and sneak away without Mrs. Pinch noticing. Then Ben hears Mrs. Pinch calling. He races outside and lies that he had been playing with a soccer ball.
Then Pinch introduces another person who tells Ben that he's a lucky boy this day. The person gave him a cake that said 'Happy Birthday, Ben!' Ben thought that this bday it might be better than other birthdays--until Rags barks. Then Pinch finds out that Ben is planning an escape, and e.t.c, e.t.c.
She sends him to his room and says that Roach will come down later and give him a punishment (Hint: something to do with toothbrushes and vats!). Ben cries and says, "why does my parents have to die?"

While that is happening, at the magical realm of Wishworks, Thomas Candlewick is leading a tour of the factory. A young leprechaun called Nora asked; once Thom explained the rules of wishing; what are the rules with curses? IF there is a place that produces curses?
THom says that there is a place called Curseworks. And, he explains, wishes are stronger than curses. IF someone 'wishes' that something bad might come to the person, a person with a good intention, a well wisher, can always cancel a curse.
Then a Jinn called Jeanie, (all girl Jinns are called Jeanie to other people except their family and best friends, and boys called Gene, they consider knowing their real names are to have power over the person) asked what bday wishes does WIshworks except. Thom explains the rules. The wishes must be made with the eyes closed. The person has to blow out all the candles on the cake in one breath, and not never, not ever must the wish be spoken aloud. that will cancel it.
Thom finishes the tour, and goes to the Wishworks room where thom's stepfather, Leo Snifflewhiffle, is going to make either Thom or Simon SPinchley Snifflewhiffle the presisdent. Leo chooses Thom, and that gets the tar outa Simon. He's the badguy in the book.

Back to Benjamin. He pretends to be scrubbing pots while Roach locks the cake in a drawer and hides the key. Too bad, Mr. Ben saw Roach's reflection in a toaster (yes, the wayward home for boys has normal stuff) and unlocks the cake, takes a piece, lights a candle...and follows all the rules of wishing to make a wish of unlimited wishes.
Of course, the balance of power is violated, and that breaks up Wishworks, and Ben has to go to the Curse-proofed doors of Curseworks to get the wish globe back and unwish his wish. He doesn't want to face Adolfus Thornblood. But if he gets his globe, his parents might come back to life...

I got this book from my grandmother's friends who sent it. And I liked it so well, I decided to buy the rest in the series.