The Mysterious Benedict Society #1 The Mysterious Benedict Society
Paperback, 512 pages
English language
Published April 1, 2008 by Little, Brown Young Readers.
"Are you a gifted child looking for special opportunities?"
Dozens of children respond to this peculiar ad in the newspaper and are then put through a series of mind-bending tests, which readers take along with them. Only four children--two boys and two girls--succeed. Their challenge: to go on a secret mission that only the most intelligent and inventive 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. But what they'll find in the hidden underground tunnels of the school is more than your average school supplies. So, if you're gifted, creative, or happen to know Morse Code, they could probably use your help.
I enjoyed reading this book, although I found many happenings absurd and wished that it had more fully explained what the disaster was which they were trying to avert.
I really just loved everything about this book.
Roald Dahl meets Lemony Snicket. Smart, charming, whimsical. Great characters and high stakes.
Far be it from me to let loose with an undignified squee while reading on a regular basis, but this series had me scaring the cats with my glee. It is, hands down, one of my favorite series ever. Cleverly written, alternately hysterical and grim, and full of a right and proper respect for approaching life with vigor.
Previewed this as a bedtime chapter book for my 6 year-old, I just couldn't get into it. This one went back to the library unfinished.
Cute, quirky and imaginative with some interesting literary references. An interesting piece of children's literature. The first act was by far the most interesting and the third act was reasonable, but I was almost lost as a reader in the second because the puzzle promise of the book didn't live up. In the end, I'm glad I slogged through.
Will consider reading the sequel.
