In the last few months, I’ve been living in denial.
“You can always reread them,” I said. “Life goes on.”
But it’s a sad fact: I don’t have any new adventures to look forward to at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. No new bungled transfiguration attempts. No more Quidditch. No more snide comments from Professor Snape.
But I’m happy to report that I’m on my way back. And this is thanks, partly, to The Mysterious Benedict Society.
There are no pointy hats or magic wands here, and certainly no Hogwarts. But there is a sense of delight similar to the early Potters. And once again, a group of bright, enterprising kids become friends while skulking around, dashing from enemies, puzzling over mysteries and, I almost forgot, saving the world.
And who wouldn’t want to share an adventure with the crew of Reynie Muldoon, Sticky Washington, Kate Wetherall and Constance Contraire? Reynie is the group’s puzzler, and the story gives him—and the reader—plenty of mental knots to untie. Sticky is bald and nervous, but he can remember anything.
Kate is bold and athletic and on her belt wears a bucket filled with an assortment of items, including a horseshoe magnet, fishing line, a bottle of extra-strength glue, a slingshot and a spyglass disguised as a kaleidoscope.
Constance is so short and pudgy that Reynie thinks she resembles a fire hydrant. She’s as crabby as her name implies, and readers will think, “What’s with her?” They’ll find out in a wonderful surprise near the end.
“Are you a gifted child looking for special opportunities?” This is the newspaper advertisement that attracts our four heroes.
They join lots of other children in a series of quirky tests. They take a sit-down written exam with absurdly difficult questions–until Reynie notices that the answers to each question are hidden in the text of other questions.
Later, they are instructed to cross a tiled room without their feet touching any yellow squares. On their way to one exam, they’re faced with another challenge, in the form of a girl, supposedly another test-taker, who has dropped her pencil in a grate. Will they help her, and how, since they were instructed to bring one pencil only.
When only Reynie, Sticky, Kate and Constance remain, they meet Mr. Benedict, a loveable genius who has figured out that a nearby school for gifted children is sending strange brainwashing messages into the world.
In between sudden bouts of sleep—Mr. Benedict is a narcoleptic—he asks the four to enroll in the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened to find out what is happening and stop it. They agree and The Mysterious Benedict Society is formed.
It’s hard to say more without giving anything away. But the children will not succeed without each contributing his or her unique talents. Along the way, they climb elevator shafts, send and receive Morse Code messages and create a vomiting epidemic among their fellow students.
Parts of this book will remind readers of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and in a spot or two, A Wrinkle in Time. The tone isn’t as maudlin, but it will also appeal to Lemony Snicket fans who are missing that series.
With any luck, author Trenton Lee Stewart will plan to make a series out of this one, too.
Good review of the book. I’ve been wanting to read this for a while and I think I’m finally going to head down to my local library and reserve it.
This sounds really good, Laurie. “The Mysterious Benedict Society” has definitely been added to my list.
I recently read another “quirky band of special youngsters going to a special school” books called “H.I.V.E (the Higher Institute of Villainous Education)” by Mark Walden. The main character, Otto Malpense, reminds me a little more of Artemis Fowl than Harry Potter (because of the evil villainy thing). But “H.I.V.E.” has the same sense of teamwork and adventure as the HP books.
Excellent review. I too am a HP fan and will have to pick this one up!
I listened to this on audiobook and have thoroughly enjoyed the commute over the past several days. I agree with Laurie that it has a bit of a “Harry Potter” feel to it — but in a refreshing and original way. No magic, of course, but kids overcoming obstacles in an adult world. A couple of times I had to remind myself these WERE kids — especially when I figured out some of the clues before they did — but I loved the ending surprise about Constance!
I cant find out what the name of MR. Benidict is. I figured out it is morse could but I dont know morse code.
nicholas benedict
name is not is
Yes, it is Nicholas Benedict. You can read ‘The Extraordinary Education of Nicholas Benedict’ for more details about his childhood, if you like!
Juls,
Here is a link to the Morse Code alphabet that you can use to translate Morse into English http://ling.ucsc.edu/~hank/morseabc.html
I really enjoy The Mysterious Benedict Society, but I tried th Harry Potter books and they didn’t really spark any interest for me. I don’t know, maybe I’ll give them another try!
I LOVE The Mysterious Benedict Society! I am on the second one, and it is really good. From the first few words, you know it’s going to be good.
I read the book and its sequeal awsome i couldnt put them down
you need a biography
its for a school project please
[…] and The Perilous Journey (Little, Brown and Company, 2008) by Trenton Lee Stewart is the sequel to The Mysterious Benedict Society. Who wouldn’t want to share an adventure with the crew of Reynie Muldoon, Sticky […]
i liked your book
I RELLY liked your books!!! I read the first on in 2 days and the second in 3 !!!!!
are you writing a new one ??? I HOPE so !!!!
Barry and Juls Mr. Benedict’s name is Nicholas!!
I’ve read the first and i’ve just finished the second one. I LOVE YOUR BOOKS! They’re very exciting and interesting. PLEASE MAKE A THIRD ONE! I need more!
I forgot to ask…. Are Jackson and Jillson related?
You never find out although the kids speculat they are
A) brother and sister
B) lovers
I love the first book and im about to read the second! They’re great!!!!!!!!
[…] reviews: Blogging For A Good Book | Letters From A Hill Farm | The Written […]
I absolutely LOVE these books!! I have read them a gazillion time and I haven’t gotten tired of them!! PLEASE MAKE A THIRD!!!
I can’t wait for the third book, The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoners Dilemma, to come out this October (Yes, this October)!
my fave part was when kate found out milligan was her dad
have only the first book and i like itthe part that kate figures out the maze in jno time.
I read the second book in 4 days it was amazing! Like Haley I also started reading Harry Potter and I didn’t really like it. I’m waiting for the 3rd book coming out it October! If anybody has any book reccomendations please tell me. I noticed even though this book is not too girly only girls read this!
These are one of the best books I’ve ever read!
Will there be a 4th one?
I hope so but i do not think there is. Maby we can hope for a movie to come out.(:
There is a fourth one now, although he is unsure about making a movie. :( The fourth is called ‘The Extraordinary Education of Nicholas Benedict’, if you’re interested.
The 4th one , I still gota read the 3rd . But it’s clear these thinfs are as good as Narnia or Lord Of the Rings !!
I love your book The Mysterious Benidict Society it was great I love you!
I absolutley love your books keep it up!
this looks like a good book. id like to read it some day. Looks real good. the other comments are saying the book is good to. im gonna go to the library and check it out.
Mr. TLS,
I have just read the third book about five minutes ago. I love it and really want a fourth book! Soooo many fans will be so disapionted! INCLUDING ME!!!! If you agree with me right I LOVE MYSTERIOUS BENEDICT SOCIETY for your note! Lets get a fourth book!!!
dido tammy!!!! i totally want a 4th book!!!
in one of TLS’s interveiws he said “maybe” so being hopeful!!
I really really want a 4th book!!!!!
I think that there with be a fourth book ( I have read them all so far) because on the back of the third book it is something like this, ‘ the third book in a series that is captavating minds everywhere’ and that doesn’t sound like the last book in a series to me
THese books are amazing im 10 years old and im about to finish the third book please let there be a fourth book oh please these books are so exciting i loveee themm sooo muchhhhhhh aahhhhhhhhhhhhhplease make a forth please please please
Thank you
Does anyone know an e-mail that I can e-mail Trenton Lee Stewart(the author) and ask him for a 4th book?
Hi, Hannah. I was not able to locate an email for Mr. Stewart. However, he writes for the Hachette Book Group, and you can send him a letter through them at:
Trenton Lee Stewart
c/o Author Mail
Grand Central Publishing
237 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10017
You can also try writing him directly at:
Trenton Lee Stewart
PO Box 17210
Little Rock AR 72222-7210
thank you thank you thank you!!!
that is sooooo helpful! i will write him today!
Although I wouldn’t quite compare it to ‘The Lord of the Rings’ due to JRR Tolkien’s smart use of the higher languages, some sentences really stick out as amazing in ‘The Mysterious Benedict Society’ and I can say that i quite enjoyed it.
My only problem is that he will stop at ‘The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner’s Dilemma’ as far as I know. A realistic fantasy children’s book, especially one like this, can continue on for at least 5-8 books before some people get tired of it. Reynard Muldoon, George ‘Sticky’ Washington, Kate Wetherall, and Constance Contraire still have quite a life ahead of them, and I know considering his start, that Trenton Lee Stewart could continue these.
I want a 4th book!
Dear Mr. Stewart,
I am going to Hogwarts in a few years! I have read all of the Harry potter books and I have read all of the Mysterious Benedict Society books too!!! I would certainly love for you to write a 4th . Please reply!
Love,
Lenny Farinholt the White Witch.
Dear Mr. Stewart,
I am going to Hogwarts in a few years! I have read all of the Harry potter books and I have read all of the Mysterious Benedict Society books too!!! I would certainly love for you to write a 4th . Please reply!
Love,
Lenny Farinholt the White Witch.
Read and have them all. Great books can’t wait for book 4 (if there is one).
Dear Mr. Stewart,
Hi, your books the Mysterious Benedict Society is the book that got me into read, and I really like them. I love the puzzles, and riddles. I am at the very end of the three book. Please Mr. Stewart write more of the benedict society. Don’t end my favorite books. Please reply.
Your friend,
Joseph May
:]
Dear Mr. Stewart,
If you are reading this comment then I must ask if you can write a 4th book? I looooooove the series, in fact I’ve read all the books aout 4 times. A 4th book would be amazing! I think the adventures of the Mysterious Benedict Society shouldn’t end so soon. Please consider this. Thank you!
Gabby
Hi Mr. Stewart,
I just finished reading the last book, i am feeling depressed. Percy Jackson i have already read and i wish you wrote as many books as Rick Riordan i was looking forward to another one. You have my written my favorite books ever. think of your fans.
-Brigid
You need a fourth book.
Seriously.
I have and read all the books so far.
You cant stop there.
You’ll leave us hanging if you stop.
I know it says maybe, but i think that was only to give hope to the readers who liked it.
You have got to make a fourth!
You have to!
more books
more books
more books
more books
more books
moooooooooooooooooooooooore
Your books are amazing and have so much detail. Im only on the first book of The Mysterious Benidect Society, But eager to move on to the next. Some day I want to be an author like you.
Your books are amazing and have so much detail. Im only on the first book of the Mysterious Benidect series , but eager to move to the next. Someday im going to be a great author just like you.
I lllllooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooove your books
The Mysterious Benidect Society was such a magnificant book. I LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE this book
Hey i hope that trenton lee stewart reads this but i have a question for him and the question is where do you get your personalities for your intresting characters?
hi! i hope you read this trenton because you are in a magazine that i am making for school! ive heard that you are most like reynie, when were you most like reynie, now or when you were reynies age? and if you were why?
i need you to write a 4th book so i can keep reading your amazing series
thanks!
-Ella
ps. please think about it! ;-)
Omg! I am 11 years old and I LOVE ur books! They r my favrite books of all time! I have always hated Harry potter books ( srry Harry potter fans) ( no offense) but these have got me sook interested in reading but I finished all ur books and no other books I find can compare to Urs! I read the first book in a day, the second book in 5 hours and the thrd book in 6 hours. You are my role model, Trenton lee stewart! I LOVE U AND UR BOOKS!!!!!!!!!!!! Please please make a fourth book! If u don’t then I’ll probably stop reading again cause no other books are as interesting and Have as great characters as the mysterious Benedict society! Please please write a 4 th book! I beg u!
From ur BIGGEST fan,
11 year old Helen
These books are the best in the world!!!!!!! I love Constance! She is so cool. Please please please please PLEASE make a fourth book! I love them!
this book is awesome and everyone should read it. They should make a movie out of it. really
dear mr. stewart
i LOVE the books.I am only ten but i love to read. if there isn’t a fourh book i will get real sad and wont talk and i will get bad grades from not reading and it will be all your falt/ so you better make a fourth book. PLEASEPLEASEPLEASEPLEASEPLEASEPLAESEPLEASEPLEASEPLEASEPLEASEPLEASEPLEASEPLEASEPLEASEPLEASEPLEASEPLES if you doi will love you (not that i already didn’t)
no matter what any body says
your #1 fan
tsugua
if you do make a movie tell me
dear mr stewart
i wont to be an actor some day if you do make a movie out of it please tell me please i live in MO and 4 years ago i LIVEd in AZ all i wont is a shot to tri out
your number one fan
tsugua
P.S. if you hadn’t caght on yet, my name is splled backwards.
hi mr stewart
i love your books i realy hope you are reading this because i would like you to make a fourth book sooooo bad i am reading them again i eal think you should make a fourth one . reasons.
1.if you dont you will leave us hanging over the edge.
2.we all will be happy if you write a fourth book
your #1 fan
tsugua
hi
i’m 10
if there’s a movie I want to be Kate!!!!
i like a ton of books this series and HP and Sammy keyes and seekers
Kate Rocks!!!
tell me if there is a movie cause i want to try out when i’m 12-13 (maybe 11 or 14)
I love the books. they are my favorit series of books. i love the girls, they are so unique
my dad bought me a bucket and all the stuff that goes in side of it. i can see why she likes the bucket. of course i can’t bring it to school or anything because a sling-shot and swis army nife are consered a weapon, but before i got the bucket i had a bag that i wore every where it had a lot of stuff in it like an emergence kit and all this other stuff i wish i could where the bucket every where but i can’t
-tsugua
hello,
my name is rachael grigsby and i am 13. i am in love with your books! i read them all in a weekend and i loved them! i would really like to become friends and be in touch at all times (not to sound creepy or anything).
i would love if you would reply back! thank you for your time and have a great week!
Rachael Grigsby
i LOVE your books!
my b-day is in two days!
my b-day is tomorrow
once my b-day was on a friday. friday the 13th!
today is my b-day!!!
if any one is reading this type something you don’t have to put you addres i i hope you know
i LOVE the books
my name is backwards
my name is august
really, not kiding. lot of peolpe think it is wered because my birthday is in oct. but my name is really august
hey anna i just tured 11 when is your birthday?
mr. stewart are you goin to let people make a movie out of the book?
and do you know suzen the auther of the hunger games tiolge if you do tell her hi for m and the i want to be katniss
ok?
do you know suzen the auther of the hunger games tiolge if you do tell her hi for m and the i want to be katniss
ok?
who is looking at this?
fine don’t answer
if i had got to be one of the girs i woul want the mind of constant and the body of kate. i looooooooove your books!
if you see i wrote something on sept. 18 and i spelled lived LIVEd because in he first book the instetut or how ever you spell t but any way they in stead of saying the hole name of the school they just call it L.I.V.E. so i thought it would be funny guess not
i guess i will just type my name the right way now
Hi, August. We should probably be clear here. This blog is put up by librarians at the Williamsburg Regional Library in Virginia. The posts here are not written by the authors of the books, but by folks here at the library. So when you make a comment on one of our books, it is not too likely that the author of the book is going to see it (unless they are reading our library blog, which would be great). Sometimes authors have a website that you can leave comments on, and that is often the best way to send your thoughts to the authors of books that you enjoy.
I should have added that if you want to write a letter to Trenton Lee Stewart, the author of the Mysterious Benedict Society, that you can find his address at the bottom of this page
no way really i going to look
no there isn’t, why did you say that?
no there isn’t, why did you say that
August, you must have missed seeing this. At the bottom of the page we linked to there is a note that says “Letters to the author may be sent to: Trenton Lee Stewart, P.O. Box 17210, Little Rock, AR, 72222-7210.” This is the best way to reach Mr. Stewart.
it does ot say that on my page. does it really say tha on yours?
Yes, if you scroll to the bottom of the author’s page here http://www.hachettebookgroup.com/features/mysteriousbenedictsociety/author.html you will see the note that says how to contact Mr. Stewart in the bottom right hand corner.
who made this blog?
August, This blog was created by the librarians at the Williamsburg Regional Library in Virginia.
doesn’t say that on mine
all mine says is “blog at wordpress.com” and “theme:misty look by sadish”.
where is the author’s page?
You can find the author’s page by clicking this link http://www.hachettebookgroup.com/features/mysteriousbenedictsociety/author.html
i have to go, bye
hi, i am back
do you know if there is going to be a fourth mysterious benedict society?
thank you so much!!!!!!
my fav. icecream just changed to choclolate, peant butter icecream, mostly choclolate with just a little bit of peant butter
i am so happy, thankyou so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You are welcome!
are you a librarian?
hi, i am wondering if you know if there is going to be a fourth mysterius benedict society?
No word on that at this point from either the author or the publisher. We’ll keep checking though.
thankyou
hi i love the books i hope there are more
i am the first person to wright some thing in 2011
i got the third book and in the back it says another book (4th) will be written
hello, i got a letter from trenten!!!!! yea!! it is awsome!!!!!!!!!!!
Dear Trenton lee Stewart I. Love all the books you published and how you wrote the Mysterious Benedict Society. If you can can you email me at dylanparkp01@yahoo.com and how did you get the name sticky, Kate, reynie and constance
if any one wants to know what the letter says that i got you can email me @ augusttagbingham@hotmail.com
hi, i was wondering if there was going to be a fourth mysterious benedict society book.
Dylan, in the letter i got it says tht the names of the characters are mostly made up although 1 or 2 are named after friends of his ;)
<3 u
p.s. tht is my signature…although…jk…maybe
this book is totally unoriginal is the has the same mask as an detective anime series called Tantei Gakuen Q…just look at the characters u see there are SOOOO many similiarities including MR benedict!!!!!!!!!!! look it up people i’m sure u agree
hey plum what if they just had the same idea and trenten doesnt even no about that series?!? and what u put doesnt make sense…”i’m sure u agree” it should be “i’m sure you’ll agree” gosh get ur grammer right!
i love the books they are the best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
hi! i wish you would make these books movie becaus eif u did i would try out for a starring role because i love to act and i love these books:) it would be perfect!! looking forward to reading the 4th book comming in 2012!
– reader
Persinoly I think there should be a mysterious Benedict society movie!
Which would be awesome considering how I love Kate and could play her in the movie.I’ve read the books once already and now I’m reading the series again but only this time backwards (it’s true,but don’t ask why).You may be thinking why should I play Kate if there were to be a movie,well this is because I want to be an actress really badly (also because I gave you the idea to do a movie so if you decide to shoot a movie and I’m not Kate I will sue and have this letter to prove that you have stolen my idea).
Lol,just kidding but seriously I want to play Kate in the movie so strongly conceder making a movie,pleas,strongly,conceder” it I beg “!!!!!!!!!!!!. So if you Trenton lee Stewart are reading or see this email me eaves if you don’t like my idea just let me know so that I know you saw this letter.Pleas!
Hannah Daigle,
i got a letter from trenton and it said that a few people have taken in to consideration to make a movie. and to let u know i think a lot of people would like to play kate including me:)
i LOVE THE MYSTERIOUS BENEDICTSOCIETY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just finished reading the last book of the series Mysterious Benedict Society.. and it’s really BREATHTAKING.. :’)) i can’t believe it had ended..
first post in 2012!!!!!!! lol i LUVVVVVVVVVED THIS BOOK!!! IT WAS SOOOO GOOD!!!
The mysterious Benedict society is a VERY good book and if you like mysterious books like this book you will or might enjoy Eragon both about mysteries just different in settings and taken plac I the time period, they include good book quality.
dear Mr. Stewart,
I love the M.B.S. so much! I could read it over and over. it is better than almost every book I’ve read. please write another book! it feels like I’m best friends with Reynie, Kate, sticky, and Constance. but if i don’t get to hear from them again it’s like saying goodbye forever and rereading their old letters.
please write a new book!
the M.B.S. fan
I have read all the books including the latest,”The Extraordinary Education of Nicholas Benedict”, and have loved all of them. I have read them all multiple times and have run out of things to read in the library. The series could go on very easily. I, among other fans, would love and extremely appreciate another book coming out soon.Please write another one. I’m sure that it will be a best-seller.
What is the morse code on the back?
it is a gr8 book. you peeps should read it.
I have read all the books except the quiz one