The Mysterious Benedict Society

What tremendous fun this is! I read the first 100 pages aloud to my mother after she had surgery. Then the book got so compelling and engaging that I had to race through silently and leave poor Mom to fend for herself. (I gave her a copy of her own for Mother's Day.) This novel is aimed at a middle reader audience, although great children's lit is always enjoyable to adults. At nearly 500 pages, it's a hefty doorstopper for that market, though a certain boy wizard has already repeatedly blown through our expectations about desirable book lengths for middle readers.

The story centers around four gifted children who respond to an ad promising "special opportunities" for select applicants. The application process is fun in and of itself (with riddles the reader can solve right alongside the characters), and then the adventure begins as these unlikely kids set out to save the world. One thing I liked about the story is that three of the four are unheralded poster children for the schoolage afflictions du jour: ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), ODD (Oppositional Defiant Disorder), and PAD (Pervasive Anxiety Disorder). Part of the fun of the novel is watching these kids realize that their quirks and disabilities are actually assets. Another wonderful aspect of the story is their teamwork and cooperation; each child contributes something unique and essential to the mission. The novel is clever, funny, and warm-hearted. I have just checked the sequel out of the library (after waiting for nearly three weeks, as every middle school kid in Cincinnati had signed up first).

My best friend recomended this book to me. It is a little slow at the beginning pretty good in the middle and COMPLETELY fantastic at the climax and end. I would definatly recomend it. My favorite character is Constance Contraire. Also the illustrations rock. I can't wait to read the next one!!!!!!

I've been teaching elementary school for over 15 years now, and of all the children's books I have read absolutely none of them had as terrific opening and closing chapters as this book. Luckily, the middle chapters were equally as engaging! The Mysterious Benedict Society easily drew me in as the opening chapter introduced Reynard Muldoon, full-time orphan, genius, and social outcast. We follow Muldoon as he embarks on a quest to discover a 'great opportunity' which will enable him to 'achieve great things.' The story is very clever, and there are many puzzles and mysteries for the heroes and readers alike to discover and/or unravel as the book progresses.

A wonderful read!

I was pleasantly surprised by what this book has to offer! Wonderful characters and situations that have left me, my daughter of 6 and my son of 9 completely enthralled. You won't be disappointed, you will be on the edge of seat!

He read it in 4 days. I had a hard time getting him to put the book down. He enjoys reading but It's rare that he finds a book that engagedes his interest that much. As soon as he was finished he asked if he could have the next book in this series.