The Mysterious Benedict Society

This book is different from the rest on the list in a few ways. It doesn’t transport the characters to new, magical realms. There are no whimsical beasts or mystical creatures. And, perhaps most significantly, I read this one as a “grown-up.” I had the honor of reading this book aloud to my children, along with its sequels, over the course of several months. My kids were delighted by these bright, young protagonists who, using their wits, imagination, and moral compass, save their loved ones from a devious villain intent on obliterating individuality. I fell in love with these characters,… show more.

“Are you a gifted child looking for special opportunities?” This is the message on a cryptic ad that Reynie’s tutor finds in the newspaper. After spending the weekend to determine if, in fact, he is a gifted child, Reynie meets three other special children—who are alone in the world—and are taken to Mr. Benedict’s school. Here, they learn that the world is more dangerous than they previously imagined. At the institute, they prepare, along with other children with extraordinary gifts and talents to become spies and vanquish evil-doers.

Four orphans who seemed all alone in the world, are brought together by the strange Mr. Benedict. Although they were chosen for their intelligence, braininess looks wildly different coming from each of them. As they go undercover to, well, save the world (more or less), their loyalty and bonds of deep friendship might be just as important as their wits. Family awaits in unforeseen places.

Bonus: You get to puzzle out clues right along with the rest of ‘em. See if your own wits would be enough to get you into the society!

I had the pleasure of meeting the author Trenton Lee Stewart when he came to visit one of the schools I used to teach at. He read a portion of the first book in The Mysterious Benedict Society series, and I knew right away this was a book my students and I would enjoy. The main character is an orphan named Reynie, whose tutor shows him an ad in the paper looking for “gifted children.” At his tutor’s prompting, Reynie decides to apply for this program. After passing a very peculiar “entrance exam,” Reynie is inducted into the Mysterious Benedict… show more.