The Mysterious Benedict Society
by Trenton Lee Stewart

Little Brown and company, 2007, 485 pp., $6.99
ISBN-10: 0-316-00395-6
ISBN-13: 978-0-316-00395-7

In The Mysterious Benedict Society, Trenton Lee Stewart displays his talent superbly in the art of his writing. It is a mind-bending story in which the plot twists and turns around every corner on each page.

It takes place in a city called Stone Town, where there’s this boy whose name is Reynie Muldoon. He lives in an orphanage, and the only person who really loves him is his tutor, Ms. Perumal. One day he finds an ad in the paper asking, “Are you a gifted child looking for special opportunities?” He and dozens of other kids enroll to take a series of mysterious, mind boggling, puzzling tests. But, only four children can achieve the standards and make it through. The four children then have a great task to achieve: to go on a secret mission. Stewart draws you into the book as you go along with Reynie and his friends in a wild, fantastic adventure.

The story is so detailed in its first person view that you feel as though you are standing there with the characters, going through the grueling mind tests and going on every adventure with them. It is truly a splendid read. It was very unpredictable, which made it even more interesting to read. I was amazed at how they could have so many loose strings: orphans, odd tests, dangerous journeys, and a deadly mind controlling school, could all tie together at the end. After reading the first book I’m itching to read the sequel.

The book is surprisingly somewhat touching, in the sense that Reynie was never accepted for who he truly was until he met his other outcast friends. His new friends are like the family he never had. They are his friends that he knows he can trust. It really shows the trust when they’re in danger and believe that they can do it together. That is true friend loyalty. Reynie is always seeking to fit in, and finally does. It shows that if you are determined enough in what your trying to do, you will succeed, and get the ultimate satisfaction. It really does come true in this story.

 Even though the book is fiction, it feels as though it is real, and you are a part of it. With all of its action, suspense, twists, and adventure, anyone who even remotely likes fiction will find it a good read, especially readers who have experienced J.K Rowling’s, and Roald Dahl’s work.

~ reviewed by Rachel N.