When 10-year-old Reynie Muldoon is sent to Miss Perumal’s School for gifted children, he had no idea what he was in for. Upon arriving, Reynie learns that he and three other kids – Sticky Washington, Constance Contraire and Kate Wetherall – are being tested to join a secret society known only as The Mysterious Benedict Society. But why them? And why now? The quartet must pass a series of challenges if they want to become full-fledged members of the odd group led by Mr. Curtain, the evil genius who has been kidnapping talented children all over the world. Racing against time and avoiding detection at every turn, Reynie and his friends use their unique skills (and personalities) to foil Curtain’s plan and finally put an end to his wicked schemes!
For who is this book for ?
This book is for children who love adventure, mystery and suspense.
Pros :
- The characters are likable and well-developed.
- The plot is fast-paced and exciting.
- Stewart’s writing style is engaging and humorous.
Cons :
- The Mysterious Benedict Society is a slow starter
- The ending may be too neat for some people’s taste
- Some parts of the book are predictable
Learn more about the author
Trenton Lee Stewart began writing for children in the third grade when he composed a twenty-page book about giant grasshoppers. Born and raised in Mississippi, Trenton now lives with his wife and son in Jackson, where he is active as an author educator through Words & Pictures workshops presented by The Governorās School for Arts Education.
Reader Reviews
“Tense, thrilling, and thoroughly delightful… an utterly marvelous book.”
“If you loved the Harry Potter series, chances are you will LOVE The Mysterious Benedict Society!”
“This fast-paced book is full of suspense and mystery. Kids will love the clever, plucky protagonists who use their wits to outwit the bad guys.”
“The Mysterious Benedict Society is an edge-of-your-seat thriller that had me flipping pages until the very end. A must read for all young readers!”