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Book Reviews of The Mysterious Benedict Society (Mysterious Benedict Society, Bk 1)

The Mysterious Benedict Society (Mysterious Benedict Society, Bk 1)
The Mysterious Benedict Society - Mysterious Benedict Society, Bk 1
Author: Trenton Lee Stewart, Carson Ellis (Illustrator)
ISBN-13: 9780316003957
ISBN-10: 0316003956
Publication Date: 4/1/2008
Pages: 512
Edition: Reprint
Reading Level: Ages 9-12
Rating:
  • Currently 4.1/5 Stars.
 142

4.1 stars, based on 142 ratings
Publisher: Little, Brown Young Readers
Book Type: Paperback
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

19 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

filiat5 avatar reviewed The Mysterious Benedict Society (Mysterious Benedict Society, Bk 1) on
Helpful Score: 6
This book is a marvelous read aloud to elementary kids. Great moral lessons that you can extrapolate into exciting discussions. Some of the themes that you can pull from this book are: teamwork, patience, perseverance, ingenuity, just to name a few. My three boys sat spellbound as I read this to them. Definitely 5 stars!
GeniusJen avatar reviewed The Mysterious Benedict Society (Mysterious Benedict Society, Bk 1) on + 5322 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
Reviewed by Tasha for TeensReadToo.com

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.
Leeankh avatar reviewed The Mysterious Benedict Society (Mysterious Benedict Society, Bk 1) on + 139 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
Overall, I liked it. I think comparisons to Harry Potter and Lemony Snicket are ambitious, but I enjoyed the story for the most part. Personally, I'm not sure it needs to become a series. I will read the next one just to see how it goes, but I'm not foreseeing an addiction. The children were cute and I liked their interactions with Mr. Benedict. Once they were away from him, however, I was no longer in love. I loved the selection process in the beginning and following along to see how the children solved the problems in their own ways. But, the second half of the book didn't really do much for me. As I said, however, I will give book 2 a chance even though I'm not sure it will be worth it. If you have an appropriately aged child in your life, however, by all means give this story a shot. It has enough adventure to keep a child interested and enough new vocabulary to make a parent or teacher feel good about them reading it.
purpledaydreamer avatar reviewed The Mysterious Benedict Society (Mysterious Benedict Society, Bk 1) on + 4 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
Full of secret codes, puzzles and mysteries, "The Mysterious Benedict Society" is a book that will make you think. Full of puzzles and codes that you are given a chance to solve along with the characters. Humor is always there as well and you won't be able to put the book down until the end!
This book is about four gifted children. Reynard "Reynie" Muldoon is an orphan who not only knows his facts but can also think through puzzles in a snap. "Sticky" Washington is a runaway who remembers anything he's ever heard or read. Kate Wetherall is the muscle of the group. She likes action and adventure and is always prepared because she carries her bucket (filled with a lot of handy things) with her where ever she goes. Constance Contraire is the youngest of the group, and has a way with words (particularly putting words into insulting poems and songs on the spot), and although she is crabby and always complaining she is still an important part of the Mysterious Benedict Society (which is what the small group of misfits has called themselves).
Anyone of any age will love this book!
crazydougmom avatar reviewed The Mysterious Benedict Society (Mysterious Benedict Society, Bk 1) on + 23 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
I really enjoyed this book. I am nearly 30 and although the writing was definately for the tween age it was a very engaging story. It definately hooks you. I cannot imagine reading it again, the power of the story lies in the drama and action, but it has a good ending and definate twists and even if you can see the end coming you still what to find out how the author will wrap it up. I definately recommend this novel to anyone looking for a quick read or a book for their child to get them hooked!
Gr8Smokies avatar reviewed The Mysterious Benedict Society (Mysterious Benedict Society, Bk 1) on + 98 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Pretty good book about four gifted kids who are trying to stop an evil genius from ruling the world. Each of the students has some sort of family issue and ultimately finds acceptance as they work together.

The true test of a kids' book is whether or not kids will read it. I gave it to two picky boys to read--and they loved it. They both read it faster than I did (and at 500 pages, that's saying a lot) and went out to get the next in the series.

I found some parts a bit long winded, but there was a positive message of being able to endure failure, find family, and work with others.
reviewed The Mysterious Benedict Society (Mysterious Benedict Society, Bk 1) on
Helpful Score: 1
A mystery that embeds other mysteries within it. Illustrates the power of teamwork and innovative thinking. The vocabulary is rich without being daunting. In fact, Trenton Stewart uses a character to question the meaning of words that readers may not be familiar with and another character provides the meaning.
spiral avatar reviewed The Mysterious Benedict Society (Mysterious Benedict Society, Bk 1) on + 21 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This is a great book for boys and girls 9+
It holds lots of puzzles, interesting characters and tons more! I suggest you check out this 3-book series!
reviewed The Mysterious Benedict Society (Mysterious Benedict Society, Bk 1) on
Helpful Score: 1
Both my kids, 12 and 10, boy and girl, loved this book and can't wait to read the next one.
reviewed The Mysterious Benedict Society (Mysterious Benedict Society, Bk 1) on + 6 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
this is one is one of my all-time favorites
2manyb00ks avatar reviewed The Mysterious Benedict Society (Mysterious Benedict Society, Bk 1) on + 203 more book reviews
I read this book with my eight year old son. We both really enjoyed it. It's the story of 4 rather intelligent kids who have to save the world from an evil villain. We are now on the 2nd one now and enjoying it as well. The kids in the story are very likeable and each has his or her own quirkiness. Great read for ages 8-14 (although I am older and still enjoying it!)
reviewed The Mysterious Benedict Society (Mysterious Benedict Society, Bk 1) on + 5 more book reviews
My girls and I love this book! It is great no matter what age you are.
mom4boys avatar reviewed The Mysterious Benedict Society (Mysterious Benedict Society, Bk 1) on + 2 more book reviews
I can't wait for my kids to start reading this book. Great characters. Great moral lessons. Fun read for young and old.
reviewed The Mysterious Benedict Society (Mysterious Benedict Society, Bk 1) on
This sat on my 9 year-old son's bookshelf for over a year, and he had NO interest in reading it. Then, he ran out of books to read, so he picked it up and started reading...and reading...and reading! He's on the third book in the series now - and loves it. He enjoys the riddles and the characters. The mysteries are clever enough to be interesting, but easy enough to follow. His friends enjoy the series too.
readabookaday avatar reviewed The Mysterious Benedict Society (Mysterious Benedict Society, Bk 1) on + 6 more book reviews
Very good book for young adults and teens.
reviewed The Mysterious Benedict Society (Mysterious Benedict Society, Bk 1) on + 35 more book reviews
More of a kids book... A little bit slow to start but entertaining
reviewed The Mysterious Benedict Society (Mysterious Benedict Society, Bk 1) on
My two sons and I love this book.
reviewed The Mysterious Benedict Society (Mysterious Benedict Society, Bk 1) on
amazing book!!!!!!!!
zoesnicholson avatar reviewed The Mysterious Benedict Society (Mysterious Benedict Society, Bk 1) on + 20 more book reviews

I LOVED this book! It has a bit of everything from mystery to lots of humor to action to an epic battle of good vs. evil. There's so much to like here, and so many ways for you to identify with so many characters, you'll find it hard to put down!



“Rules and school are tools for fools! I don't give two mules for rules.” ~Constance Contrare


THE PLOT I loved the plot of The Mysterious Benedect Society! Plot-wise, it's got a little of everything - mystery, action, adventure, and an epic battle of good vs. evil.         



 



The story starts out excitingly with a newspaper article! But it's not just ANY newspaper article...



"Are you a gifted child looking for special opportunities?"


Hundreds of children arrive to take these challenging, mind-boggling tests - but, in the end, only four very extraordinary children succeed: Reynie Muldoon, Sticky Washington, Kate Wetherall and Constance Contraire. And then they're sent on a mission - to stop the evil Mr. Curtain before he brainwashes the world!  But first, they have to go undercover at the "Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened" where the only rule is that there is no rules! (What a brilliant aspect for the story, Mr. Stewart!)



"You can wear whatever you want, just so long as you have on trousers, shoes, and a shirt. You can bathe as often as you like or not at all, provided you're clean every day in class. You can eat whatever and whenever you want, so long as it's during meal hours in the cafeteria. You're allowed to keep the lights on in your rooms as late as you wish until ten o'clock each night. And you can go wherever you want around the Institute, so long as you keep to the paths and the yellow-tiled corridors."


Will they succeed...or will they be caught first?!?! THE WRITING



“Oh, here's a clever one,” Mr. Benedict told Reynie, scanning over Constance’s test. "Do you remember this question from the first test? It reads, What wrong with this statement?” Reynie nodded, vaguely remembering the question. “And do you know what Constance wrote in reply? She wrote, What's wrong with you?


And in case you're wondering, the answer to that question - is, well - that it's not a statement - it's a question!




Not to disappoint, the writing in The Mysterious Benedict Society is downright amazing! In my opinion, the writing is as every bit as brilliant as the incredible plot - which surprised me immensely. Trenton Lee Stewart has an incredible prowess for writing. His sentences are brilliant; they definitely painted such a vivid image - or "screenplay" if you will - of the story in my head. His eloquence and descriptions were just so amazing!         



 



There are no unnecessary scenes - or even words in The Mysterious Benedict Society. Every single word has a purpose in the story - and it amazes me how tightly edited it is! I really enjoyed that aspect of the book!         



 



The pacing in The Mysterious Benedict Society does not disappoint - this is a fast paced, action-packed novel that you will simply devour! There is virtually non-stop action!



I say "virtually" because the pacing seems to slow down slightly when the children are trying to figure out a puzzle - and, you too, can figure it out alongside them! However, being the incredibly smart children they are, this never usually takes very long.


THE CHARACTERS Not to disappoint readers, the characters are phenomenal as well!         



 



Now, rest assured, these aren't just your stereotypical, underdeveloped "nerds."  They're more than that. They have such unbelievable depth and personality that they feel like actual people! This being said, it's incredibly easy to emotionally connect to them - easier than in most books - but it's beautiful characterization through and through! Even the supporting cast members are colorful and have back stories! Stewart gives each of the background characters a unique feature to help the reader remember them.         



 



Each of the four succeeding contestants (Reynie, Sticky, Kate & Constance) each have their different ways of solving each task that gets thrown at them - yet, in the end, they all answer correctly.



* Reynie uses his logic and puzzle-solving skills. * Sticky uses his high intellectual ability & photographic memory. * Kate uses her incredible athletic and agility skills. * Constance is too stubborn and grumpy to be asked to solve anything in the first place! Though, let me assure you, her grumpy disposition -though it can undeniably make things harder for the group - is eventually the key to the mission's success!


THE PUZZLES There are a multitude of puzzles plastered throughout the book - and I found it quite fun to quiz myself alongside our 4 protagonists! If you decide to read the book, I highly recommend solving (or at least trying to solve) the puzzles alongside Sticky, Reynie, Kate & Constance! :D All in all, this is one of my favorite books of all-time and I highly recommend it! Can't wait to read the rest of the series!