A gorgeous paperback gift set of the New York Times bestselling Mysterious Benedict Society books as well as the prequel novel and the companion puzzle book, all featuring fresh, updated covers!
Catch up on the adventures of the Mysterious Benedict Society with this paperback boxed set, which includes the three original books in the New York Times bestselling series: The Mysterious Benedict Society, TheMysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey, The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner's Dilemma, as well as the prequel, The Extraordinary Education of Nicholas Benedict, and the must-have companion puzzle book, The Mysterious Benedict Society: Mr. Benedict's Book of Perplexing Puzzles, Elusive Enigmas, and Curious Conundrums.
Filled with page-turning action and mind-bending brain teasers, and each with a fresh new cover design, these wildly inventive journeys are sure to delight new and old fans alike.
Trenton Lee Stewart is the author of the award-winning, bestselling Mysterious Benedict Society series for young readers; The Secret Keepers, also for young readers; and the adult novel Flood Summer. He lives in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Letters to the author may be sent to:
Trenton Lee Stewart PO Box 251358 Little Rock, AR 72225
A charming children’s series about a smart and brave group of children who save the world. The prequel is about Mr. Benedict and his youth and while it wasn’t as exciting, gave good insight to his character and how he came to be the person you meet in the 3 main books. I loved the series and am going to watch the show based on the books next.
The Mysterious Benedict Society is a captivating trilogy (plus a prequel) by Trenton Lee Stewart. It is about four child prodigies named Reynard “Reynie” Muldoon, Kate Wetherall, George “Sticky” Washington, and Constance Contraire. Reynie is an average-looking boy who has a skill for looking at things in a different way than other people do (like finding “puzzles’ is things). Kate Wetherall is a blonde and extremely resourceful girl who carries a bucket around everywhere she goes, in which she keeps several things she deems useful, such as a slingshot and marbles, a horseshoe magnet, a bottle of extra-strength glue, and several other items. Sticky is bald and his skin is tan. His nickname comes from the fact that everything “sticks” in his mind. He can remember everything he reads, and he knows dozens of languages. His memory is extraordinary. Constance Contraire is a very stubborn, grumpy, two-year-old whose stubborn-ness ends up helping the group. In later books we find out that Constance has psychic powers. They form a group called The Mysterious Benedict Society, and they, along with Mr. Benedict, who recruited them, and is really the one who started it all, fight the evil Mr. Curtain to stop him from taking over the earth.
One of the things that I liked about these books was the combination of the characters that make the team. I thought that the characters were all equally amazing, and whenever any of them would do something amazing, I would think That is so CRAZY cool! The way they all worked together to form the MBS (Mysterious Benedict Society) was so cool. Kate with her bucket, Sticky with his knowledge, Reynie with his puzzle-solving abilities, and Constance with her . . . annoying poetry, make such a good team that I just get a “thrill” as Anne of Green Gables stated it. I just think that they make a really good team.
Another thing I liked about these books was that I just wanted to keep reading, which is not uncommon for me, but these books were just enthralling. I wanted to stay with the characters, be in that world of child geniuses, trying to think I was one of them. I wanted to jump into the book. I didn’t care about the danger. I wanted to meet the MBS, but most of all, I wanted them to reach out their hands and say “join us.” I don’t know what else to say. The writing was just that good. I wore a bucket around with a belt for a few weeks after reading these books.
I think that my favourite character would probably be Kate. I know that is probably the favourite character of most girls that read this, but it doesn’t change the fact that she can train the fastest animal on earth, carries a bucket (of all the things to carry with you), and has any number of circus-related talents (such as walking on her hands, tightroping, and lots of other things like that. All these things combine to make her just awesome! I also really like Constance. Mostly because of her funny poetry. Here is part of one of her poems (this is about Sticky): The night was black, the owl did call. I stood upon the silo tall, never suspecting I would fall . . . thanks to the boy who bumped me. It’s quite good poetry, and it’s really funny!
I think that the moral of these books is that with teamwork, you can do tremendous things. Mr. Benedict says in the first book something along the lines of: Every one of you is essential to the team (I can’t find the exact quote). They are all prodigious, but together . . . they’re spectacular! They accomplish great things together. They each have their moments, and that’s why they all survive the multiple near-death situations. Alone, you can do many small things, but together, you can do tremendous things!
The reason I identified this as a Trilogy/Series is because there is a prequel called The Extraordinary Education of Nicholas Benedict, which I have not read, but have reserved at the library (isn’t the library just great?), and I am very excited to read it. It is about the life of Mr. Benedict, the genius behind it all. There is another one called Mr. Benedict’s book of perplexing puzzles, elusive enigmas, and curious conundrums, which I also have reserved. It is exactly what it sounds like. I’m not the best at them, but they’re super fun!
Overall, I LOVED these books and would recommend them to anyone and everyone. And I mean anyone and everyone. The reason that my parents first got these books for me was that the cover art was by one of our favourite illustrators, Carson Ellis, illustrator of The Wildwood Chronicles and all of the artwork for my favourite band The Decemberists (she is also married to the lead singer/songwriter) She only illustrated the first book of the MBS, but I like that cover the most. These books were a New York Times bestseller, won the Booklist Editors’ Choice: Books for Youth award in 2007, the Notable Children’s Books award in 2008, and the Texas Lone Star Books award. I think they deserved every one of those awards. I think that these books are SO good, and I really think you should read them.
One of my favorite series is "The Mysterious Benedict Society" by Trenton Lee Stewart. These are technically middle school level, but I love them. It involves 4 very intelligent and clever children who are accepted into Mr. Benedict's school. They find themselves solving riddles and puzzles and situations, some very dangerous, as they proceed to save the world. Right now there are 3 books, but I am always looking for more. I have had students tell me they enjoyed them too.
Often times parents are trying to find books for their kids to read so I am including Thea's Reviews in my goodreads account (which messes up my pages read, but I'll live). This is the review by Thea (age 10 - reads constantly): Mysterious Benedict Society series was AWESOME. It is funny and every time something seems like it was going downhill and going to be really bad, I kept reading and it would turn out good! Everyone should read this series.
I have read all of these books and each one delivers a tale just, if not more, exciting than the last. The plot twists are riveting and the characters are lovable; I never have picked a favorite! A perfect joyride for readers 9-14... With four generous tomes of adventure, they won't finish too quickly.
Engaging adventure with the "series lure" to aid in "what do I read next?" Excellent characterizations. Whimsy, humor, mystery, and suspense intertwined with real-life concerns of children (and other kinds of people) along with bit of "that can't be true!"
I really enjoyed these books. They were refreshing and clever. I think a middle reader would love reading them on their own, but younger ones would really enjoy it read aloud.
Engaging adventures of overly intelligent small children. None of it is believable, but the stories are adorable.
The entire collection is wonderful. It is technically a youth book, but I feel anyone would enjoy the mystery that each book brings. All of the characters are very fun & interesting & they make you keep turning the pages.
How have I not read this book before now? I absolutely loved it. It is a wonderful, quirky tale about a narcoleptic orphan who goes on a treasure hunt only to find that his greatest treasure is his friends.
Really good book series, I read this when I was a younger and I still remember most of it! Gripping, great characters, fun mysteries and just a general good vibe. Recommend to everyone.
Four extraordinary children are selected to end the works of an evil man and his henchmen. This was very interesting and the prequel gave some backstory on one of the adult characters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.