Tools for this page
Print

The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner's Dilemma

(2009, Fiction - Mystery, Written by Trenton Stewart, Illustrated by Diana Sudyka)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

    (Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)

    Not age appropriate for kids under 7, age appropriate for kids over 9; suggested age 9.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0

  • Common Sense says

    Not as inventive as first two books, but still great fun.

Themes in this book include:   family relationships, friendship, revenge

Why We Rated This on for Ages 9 and Up

The good stuff

  • Educational value:

    Kids can solve the riddles and puzzles along with the super-smart members of the Society.

  • Messages:

    Reynie comes to the realization that holding onto anger, like Mr. Curtain does, isn't healthy. Friendship and teamwork are also strong themes. Reynie also learns that he doesn't have to fix everything himself, and Kate realizes that she should trust her friends more before she acts impulsively. Two instances of eavesdropping are only lightly reprimanded.

  • Role models:

    As always in the series, the four members of the Society are very admirable and possess talents that complement one another. Reynie is extremely consciencious and great at solving puzzles and thinking about others' motivations. Sticky has a voracious appetite for knowledge and remembers everything he reads. Kate is the athlete and strategic thinker who can get out of any trap. Constance may be ill-tempered, but she's also loyal, bright, and courageous.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    The bad guy Ten Men are back from the second book, and they attack with various weapons in their briefcases -- pencil darts, tranquilizer guns, shock watches (Tasers). But there's no real guns or blood (except a bloody nose). Kids are kidnapped, and a shock watch is used once, which makes the victim pass out. An adult breaks bones in a fall.

  • Sex:

    Not an issue.

  • Language:

    Not an issue.

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner's Dilemma

Parents need to know that kids who are already into the Mysterious Benedict Society series will find the third installment a little milder than the second. Armed with their briefcases filled with various weapons (but no real guns), Ten Men kidnap the four central kids, and there's plenty of fighting -- mostly amongst adults -- with pencil darts and tranquilizer guns. One adult suffers broken bones, and one kid gets attacked with a Taser-like shock watch, passing out afterward. Part of the plot involves Constance developing her powers of mind-reading and even putting thoughts in others' heads. Overall the main characters are still great role models -- they're smart, resourceful, great friends who work together to save the day.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about reading minds. Would you like to know what others are thinking? Or be able to change their minds without them knowing? How is this a potentially dangerous gift?
  • Talk about the puzzles. How long did it take to piece together the clues?
  • Which MBS member are you most like? Are you agile and resourceful like Kate? Great at solving puzzles like Reynie? Good at remembering everything like Sticky? Or stubborn and in need of a nap like Constance? Whom would you like to be more like?
Tools and tips that can help

Want more? Get Common Sense recommendations delivered to your inbox.

Our Members Say

Have you read it? Review It!

  • What did you think about The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner's Dilemma?

  •  I think this book is

    for ages

  •  I also give it

  •  Any concerns?

  •  Any highlights?

  •  Love it? Hate it?

  • or to post a review

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    writer13
    I rate this title off for age 9 and give it 2.0

    boring

    i love the other stories in the series, but i couldnt get past the 35th page. i got really board with it. i usually dont get board with a lot of books, but i got really board with this one. dont read it if you get board easily.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate

More Great Stuff For Your Kids

  • Now Playing

    Age 6+
    Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

    Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

    Age-apropriate 3-D food adventure doesn't fully satisfy.

  • Tech Tip

    Learn the basics with our latest video.How to Text

    Learn the basics with our latest video.

  • Book of the Week

    Age 10+
    Million-Dollar Throw

    Million-Dollar Throw

    Another Lupica sensitive dad/son sports story.

  • Pick of the Week

    Holiday Websites

    Holiday Websites

    Where to surf, turkey time and beyond.

  • Game of the Week

    Age 4+
    Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: New Year's Celebration

    Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: New Year's Celebration

    Virtual Chinese New Year with perfectly designed games.

Give Us a Minute, Get a Lot of Common Sense!
  • Age-appropriate best bets for your kids
  • Weekly email alert with the latest picks, reviews & advice
  • Post your own reviews and share them with friends
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
A screen name protects your privacy
(It's free!)

Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
To post a review or comment you must become a Common Sense Member. It's easy!
Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations.
A screen name protects your privacy
Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
(optional)
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
We can make Common Sense just right for you. With a little info about you and your family, you'll get the most out of our site.
Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!
Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child
Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations
A screen name protects your privacy
Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
Register to add this school to your profile. You'll be able to see and share reviews from parents, teachers, and kids at your child's school.
I'm already a Common Sense member.
Kids under 13 must use a screen name
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.