The Mysterious Benedict Society | 
 enlarge | Author: Trenton Lee Stewart
Creator: Carson Ellis
Publisher: Little, Brown Young Readers
Category: Book
List Price: $6.99
Buy New: $3.80
You Save: $3.19 (46%)
New (35) Collectible (1) from $3.80
Avg. Customer Rating:  83 reviews
Sales Rank: 464
Media: Paperback
Reading Level: Ages 9-12
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 512
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.5
Dimensions (in): 7.4 x 5.3 x 1.4
ISBN: 0316003956
EAN: 9780316003957
ASIN: 0316003956
Publication Date: April 1, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Brand New, Perfect Condition, Please allow 4-14 business days for delivery. 100% Money Back Guarantee, Over 1,000,000 customers served.
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Product Description
"Are you a gifted child looking for special opportunities?"
When this peculiar ad appears in the newspaper, dozens of children enroll to take a series of mysterious, mind-bending tests. (And you, dear reader, can test your wits right alongside them.) But in the end just four very special children will succeed. Their challenge: to go on a secret mission that only the most intelligent and resourceful children could complete. To accomplish it they will have to go undercover at the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened, where the only rule is that there are no rules.
As our heroes face physical and mental trials beyond their wildest imaginations, they have no choice but to turn to each other for support. But with their newfound friendship at stake, will they be able to pass the most important test of all?
Welcome to the Mysterious Benedict Society.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 78 more reviews...
Superb Children's Book August 17, 2008
While I am an adult and not chronologically a child (one could argue my outlook is somewhat childlike at times), I certainly enjoyed this book and think children would enjoy it as much if not more than I. It feels a bit like reading a Harry Potter book in that fantasy and real world happily combine. Highly recommended for all children and some adults, especially those who enjoy reading Harry Potter books.
Courtesy of Teens Read Too August 12, 2008
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.
Reviewed by: Tasha
wonderful book for children AND adults August 6, 2008
I read this book myself and when I finished I couldn't wait to start reading it with my own children. We are about three-quarters of the way through and they are loving it as much as I did. This is the story of four children who are alone in the world but who become a team after answering a newspaper ad promising 'special opportunities' and passing a series of tests, which are themselves unique and fun -- testing for traits that are not immediately apparent. After the team is formed, the kids must attend an isolated school run by a villainous mastermind trying to (of course) take over the world! The book is immediately engaging and tists and suspense capture children's interest quickly and continue unabated. The book has clues, puzzles, adventure, kid heroes and a terrrific ending. I can't wait to read the next one -- I'm not waiting for the kids!
I really liked that the children are a true team, each with unique and essential talents, and they help each other -- they could not succeed in their mission without each one of them. There are bad guys who are evil but not nightmare-inducing; there are dilemmas and doubts which are surmounted; not all the adults are bad or stupid, as in many children's books; and the resolution is believable, fun and satisfying. What I didn't like was ... well, I can't think of a thing.
This book can be read alone by capable 5th graders (and despite its length it will keep them interested) or it's a terrific read-aloud book.
Highly recommended.
The new "favorite" book of all August 6, 2008
My 11 year old said that this book was the BEST book ever. I bought it because it was the book club selection for DUKE University TIP program. I think she finished it in a day and a half. She can't wait to read the sequel. It is about gifted children-
Page turner August 5, 2008
This book was a total page turner. It's a wonderful story that takes you with them as they travel to dangerous places and times. When I just started the book, I thought it was great. It just kept on getting better. At the end it blew me away and I was like, man I gotta read the sequel. Loved it instead of a 5 I'd give 10,000,000,000!!!
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