The Mysterious Benedict Society
Little, Brown Young Readers, 2007
Fantasy Fiction
ISBN: 0316057770
485 pages
Synopsis
Something is direly wrong with the world and the people are calling for the governments to do something about it. They generally refer to it as the Emergency. However, deep beneath the surface, a discovery has been made that shows that not all is what it seems, and the world isn’t that bad. However, this discovery leads Mr. Benedict to believe that it’s about to get much worse.
Recruiting a team of four genius children, three orphans and a runaway, he informs them that they must go on a dangerous mission to help him uncover the truth about secret messages that are being transmitted over radio, television, and cell phone waves that seem to be changing the way people think. Being admitted to the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened, the four must work together against all odds in order to reveal the truth and save the world from almost certain disaster.
Critique
Stewart’s writing has both the fun, lighthearted flare as well as the engaging, mysterious storyline as Roald Dahl or Blue Balliett. The way he sets up the story by showing how uniquely the four children react to the same test and puzzles is excellent, because it allows him to use the strengths and weaknesses he’s shown from the tests in the characters throughout the story. There’s no guesswork as to what type of person each of them is, and the discovery for the reader lies in watching the adventure unfold and how each child uses his or her abilities to play a part and help save the day.
It’s an interesting commentary about the rise of Totalitarian societies that change the language in order to brainwash the people and use fear as a method of control. Certainly, this text does not have the somber assertions of Orwell’s 1984, but the treatment of the subplot carries a similar message to younger readers.
I believe, as well, that the way the writing reveals elements of the story throughout the novel will both enlighten and expand the minds of young readers, as if they themselves were one of the characters trying to solve the puzzles throughout the story. It’s challenging in a way that is fun, and many young minds will find themselves learning without even knowing it. It’s a fun read for anyone, but the target audience will more than likely fall into the 8-12 range.
The other book in this series so far is The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey (book 2), and The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner’s Dilemma (book 3).
Rating Rubric
Enjoyable Read: Original Fantasy: Original Plot: Language: 
Asthetics: Depth In Characters: Depth In Story: Social Commentary: Layers/Complexity: Classroom Text: Overall Rating:
For the Classroom
It’s a good book to recommend to any young reader, and the puzzles really make the text come alive, but if there were any particular subject this text would be used in other than a literature or reading course would be the study of government systems and how they affect the governed.
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