Customer Reviews

The Mysterious Benedict Society

5 star:		(223)
4 star:		(38)
3 star:		(12)
2 star:		(11)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

I read to my two sons, age 8 and 9 every night. I was looking for something just a little bit different. Typically they like illustrations to flesh out the narrative, like in the Moomintroll books or Here Be Monsters. The Mysterious Benedict Society is not (alas!) profusely illustrated so when we started it they sort of passively lay back in their beds to listen. By about the 4th page they were sitting up and by the end of the first chapter they were draped over my shoulders reading the pages with me. This book is absolutely captivating for young kids! We would pause while reading to see if we could work out what would happen next or how a knotty problem was overcome; my sons were absorbecd from beginning to end. Children can easily see themselves as the protagonists amd they love to try to figure out the puzzles. Mr. Stewart wants you to try to solve the mysteries with his characters and his writing sparkles with wit and humor. I certainly hope he has more childrens' books for us in the future. Highly recommended!

This book caught my eye as I was leaving the library yesterday. I had been continuously studing for days and needed a fictional break. After some odd looks from the librarian ( I guess most college students don't check out philosophy books and children's mystery novels at the same time) I went to my car and began to read. To my surprise, I was reluctant to put it down to drive home. This book is so creative, wonderful, and so many other adjectives that I can't think of right now. There was so much in this book that I could identify with, and I found myself wishing that I was 11 again so I wouldn't have been able to read it so quickly. Bravo Mr. Stewart! Reymie, Sticky, Constance, the Great Kate Weather Machine, and Mr. Benedict have become some of my favorite charaters of all time and I can only hope that we might someday have another adventure together. I recommend this book for Gifted Children of any age, for there are truly many special oppertunities inside.

I just loved this book. From start to finish it was flat out great. The characters were all interesting and deep (as opposed to superficial cliches), and the plot had some clever twists and neat puzzles. It was fun solving those puzzles along with the characters, too. So if you're looking for a fun read that's not about magic and dragons (as way too many kids books today are), I highly recommend The Mysterious Benedict Society! I can't wait for the sequel.

MISSION: Defeat the allure of DS, SpongeBob, Pokedex, and other e-entertainment.

THE TARGET: Second grade boy, bored with chapter books

STRATEGY: Psychologically satisfying narrative and themes (orphans, friendship, adventure, kid power, smart/shy/athletic/ornery kids all have a role to play, peril, gross-outs, humor)

RESULT: Improved physcial fitness from lugging book everywhere. Slight sleep deprivation from staying up too late reading. Expanded vocabulary. Daily school reading requirement no longer a bore.

The adventure begins when orphan Reynard Muldoon (Reynie) answers an advertisement in the paper - "ARE YOU A GIFTED CHILD LOOKING FOR SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES?"

Answering the ad leads Reynie to a strange building that opens at odd times and is filled with classrooms of children taking bizarre tests. I found myself taking the tests along with him, and although I was utterly confused by the questions, I was extremely relieved when Reynie was able to ace every test.

At the end of the testing, only four children are picked to take the final exam. Reynie, Sticky (George Washington), Kate Wetherall (who would really like to be called The Great Kate Weather Machine) and Constance Contraire master a maze, well let's say they all almost master a maze, and after some soul searching, they each decide to be part of a team that will embark on a dangerous adventure.

This story was wonderful to read. It gave me the same feeling as when I was reading the Harry Potter series. A little bit of science fiction, with a lot of mystery and a very warm and happy ending is my best "short" synopsis. I loved the description of the places and people throughout the story and it was complete with big spooky houses, bridges over troubled waters and creepy laboratories.

I also recommend this book as a gift. Middle school, high school and adults will enjoy this story. I'm sure it will be added to their collection of "read more than once" or "listen to many times" category.

I was working at the children's department of a major bookstore back when HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE was first published in the U.S. You might not remember that the first two Harry Potter books were released here without much fanfare. Back then, there were no 12-million-copy print runs or midnight sales --- just a book, sitting there on the shelves, ripe for discovery. And discover it we did, setting off a word-of-mouth excitement that spread among the staff and customers, presaging the frenzy that would soon envelope practically the entire world.

As I began to read THE MYSTERIOUS BENEDICT SOCIETY, I felt a similar sense of discovery and excitement at finding something new, different and very well done. Trenton Lee Stewart's first novel for children is packed with puzzles, mysteries and wordplay, not to mention a great story. I mean, what could be more thrilling than four kids whose mission is literally to save the world?

THE MYSTERIOUS BENEDICT SOCIETY does share some similarities with J. K. Rowling's celebrated series --- a tight group of friends (who don't always get along), absent parents, a school setting --- but it combines these elements with a whimsical, tongue-in-cheek style that will appeal to Lemony Snicket fans and an emphasis on puzzle-solving that will draw in readers who enjoy Blue Balliett's art-related mysteries.

The four central characters of the novel are thrown together when they respond to a mysterious newspaper advertisement that reads "ARE YOU A GIFTED CHILD LOOKING FOR SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES?" Following a grueling series of exams, only four children qualify to be sent on a special mission. As the youngsters get to know one another, they learn that each one solved the exams in a different way, using their own particular skills and talents. Reynard Muldoon saw the tests as a series of puzzles to be solved. George "Sticky" Washington used his amazing memory to come up with the test's answers. Kate Wetherall, a sort of junior MacGyver who carries a bucketful of tools at all times, used her physical skills and problem-solving abilities to get the job done. And as for suspiciously tiny, perpetually crabby Constance Contraire, she was just really, really stubborn.

Together, they form The Mysterious Benedict Society, recruited by narcoleptic Mr. Benedict to investigate a critical problem. Subliminal messages are being broadcast around the world, which seem to hint at some kind of coming crisis. Mr. Benedict suspects that the messages originate from Nomanasan Island, where a reclusive character named Ledroptha Curtain runs a secretive school called the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened. As the four kids navigate the school's cryptic rules, bureaucratic structure and creepy punishment methods, they begin to learn the extent of Mr. Curtain's nefarious plan. But can they put a stop to his world takeover before it's too late?

Although THE MYSTERIOUS BENEDICT SOCIETY has a satisfactory ending, its author has hinted that a sequel is on the way. If you enjoy books with puzzles to solve, mysteries to investigate and wit to savor, don't delay. Discover this fantastic new novel for yourself right away.

--- Reviewed by Norah Piehl

I'm an adult with a child too young to read this one, but I'll put it away for a few years and bring it out again when the time is right. It is a great read with a unique story line, puzzles organically built in to the story, and good pacing. Best of all were the characters, especially the children, who came to life for me. Each one is an individual who is chose become part of the Society, not always for obvious reasons, but because of the contribution only they can make to the success of the mission. It's a great, old-fashioned-type children's book and I highly recommend it to parents looking for a book for their own precocious children.

The first reviewer, Toria Leigh, said it all. This is a very good read! The only change needed is the listed reading level. Being a senior citizen and having read thousands of books, I feel qualified to say that the reading level should be 9 to 99 rather than 9 to 12. Good job, Mr. Stewart! Your children's book is superior to most of the "adult" fiction on the market!

I bought the book on a high recommendation and I am pleased that I did. The heroes and heroines must rely on their wits, unique talents and each other. The book told the story of "quirky" but gifted children finding acceptance and embracing their uniqueness. Children and adults will find the story appealing.

My children will enjoy the book greatly.

This book is absolutely captivating! I started to read it, and it pulled me right in!

I am normally a very picky reader and I feel part of the reason I liked this book so much was because I could relate to it. The Mysterious Benedict Society is about four children who are exceptionally talented in their own ways. I am not a genious master-mind like these children, but since they were so smart, they sometimes felt alone. I know I've felt that way.

This book has a lot of life-lessons hidden in it. Dealing with problems, trust, self-sacrifice, and most of all, friendship. I felt like I was really forming a bond with the characters.

Near the end, the suspense rocketed. I kept worrying about the kids. The way the author put it, I felt like I was right next to the characters!

This book is one of the best I've read and I hope there's a sequel!! I hope you found this review helpful!