 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The Mysterious Benedict Society
- By Trenton Lee Stewart
- Genre: Mystery
Common Sense Media says
Suspenseful mystery with a Lemony Snicket vibe.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that there's little to be concerned with here beyond some mild fist-fighting.
What's the story?
The ad in the newspaper says, "Are you a gifted child looking for special opportunities?" Reynie, an orphan, decides that he is, and convinces the orphanage director to let him take the test. Along with three other children who pass, Reynie meets the mysterious Mr. Benedict, a narcoleptic who lives behind a maze, and who has an important mission for the children.
They are sent to a boarding school on an island, The Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened, to find out all they can about the school's director, Ledroptha Curtain. Posing as students, they discover his plan to take over the world using mind control. But in his carefully controlled island fortress, stopping him seems impossible, even for four very gifted children.
Is it any good?
In the post-J.K. Rowling age, many children's authors and editors have lost their sense of proportion. At nearly 500 pages, THE MYSTERIOUS BENEDICT SOCIETY would have been a much better book at half the size. Ignoring the issue of its length, though, and the long draggy sections that could have been omitted, this is a clever and suspenseful story. Cross Lemony Snicket with Blue Balliett and you'll have a good idea of the tone: a code- and puzzle- filled mystery wrapped in an over-the-top melodrama.
Every character is delightfully eccentric, there are plenty of twists and turns, and underlying it all is a wicked but understated sense of humor. Reluctant readers will be put off by its size and uneven pacing, but bright, avid readers will love it.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the puzzles and quizzes the children have to solve. Were you able to figure out any of the answers before they were revealed? Did you figure out Mr. Benedict's first name? Also, young readers may be interested in learning Morse code, which figures prominently in the story.
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AGE
Amazing book, but a little confusing.
I love the Mysterious Benedict Society!!! It's one of the best books ever, but it's a little confusing for some people.
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AGE
Mind control for all
my concern is that you have a group of lonely kids, longing for belonging who just too willingly go along with Mr. Benedict despite his consistant and on going deceptions. Mr. Benedict preys upon their vulnerabilities and capitolizes on the fact that these kids have no other adult to guide them. Rainy, the only child who does have a caring adult in his life is denied that healthy relationship. If you ask me the best lesson here for children is understanding how vulnerable people can be so easily taken advantage of by crazy people. I am reading this with my 9year old son and we are almost done, finally! I agree that the book is way too long and thankfully it is picking up the pace now that we at the end. Unless there is an absolutely terrific ending where the kids finally take control and find out the real intentions of Mr. Benedict then I won't be reading the rest.
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AGE
My favorite book!
This series is the BEST series I have ever read. 4 children solve mysteries and help the world using friendship and knowledge. I read the first book when I was 7 and the second when I was 9. I loved the books! I can't WAIT until the 3rd book comes out in October. Everyone is SURE to love this book no matter what!
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AGE
Disagree... with Common Sense media!
I was reading the reviews of this book from Common Sense Media.org and I completely and totally disagree with it. They say some parts could be chopped out because they think it should be shorter. No, completely untrue. Every word is essential to the plot and I'm disappointed they would say that. I'm a kid, 11 years of age, and I don't know if this'll be displayed on the kids page or the adult page, but I love this book and I'm thrilled it's 500 pages because it's a terrific book that should last a long time and I'm glad the sequal is also several hundred pages. Great book. One of the best I've ever read. (And that's saying something!)
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AGE
Lovely novel for kids
This is a great book. Even though it is for young kids, it really makes them think outside the box. It is totally original in its plots and characters. Especially S. Q. Pedalian, he is the bomb!
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Kid, 12 years old
July 31, 2009
AGE
EXCELLENT-OOO!
There's nothing wrong with it. It's excellent!
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AGE
A great adventure
Each character in the book is uniquely talented, but in very different ways. They can only solve the mystery by working together. As they do, they come to appreciate each others' talents. A fun adventure that is inspiring without being preachy.
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AGE
This is an amazing book
It is very good but you may have to explain to younger kids about the kidnapping. Very adventurous.
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AGE
It Grew on Me!
In terms of age appropriate content, I found no objectionable material in this book. Less proficient readers will find the book does not progress as fast as they would like at first. The upside is that the main characters are vividly portrayed and the messages of acceptance and teamwork are crystal clear without any moralizing.
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| Author: | Trenton Lee Stewart |
| Illustrator: | Carson Ellis |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Mystery |
| Publisher: | Little, Brown and Company |
| Publication date: | March 1, 2007 |
| Number of pages: | 485 |
| Hardcover price: | $16.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 8 - 12 |
| Read aloud: | 9 |
| Read alone: | 10 |
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