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Product Reviews:
The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey |
Rating: 5 (out of 5)
Summary: As promised, a scavenger hunt
Comments: The Mysterious Benedict Society is at it again, saving the world. In this action packed, puzzle filled book, The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey by Trenton Lee Stewart, the society is having their1year reunion. The 2 boys: Renyie Muldoon (11) and Sticky `George' Washington (11), and 2 girls: Kate Wetherall (12) and Constance Contraire (3) rush to Mr. Benedict's house for their1year reunion party, as promised, a scavenger hunt was maked by Benedict. When they arrive they find that in Mr. Benedict and his `right hand women,' Number Two, have been replaced with a ransom note!! Mr. Benedict and Number2have been kidnapped by Benedict's evil twin brother Ledroptha Curtain. The children disobey their loved ones and set off to find their close friends, running into many old enemies and some new ones. `The10Men' -they have 10 different ways of harming you and each man is equivalent to 10 men- are dressed like normal businessmen, however have super business utensils; example: a pencil as a dart, and a calculator as a bomb. Suspecting that Benedict and Number2would be close to where his original clues were, the children follow the clues around the world. Dangers, puzzles and mazes await them once again, on their quest to save the world.
Trenton Lee Stewart is a graduate of the Iowa Writer's Workshop and also wrote adult novel Flood Summer. Stewart lives in Arkansas with his2sons and wife and when asked the question `which character in the Mysterious Benedict Society series are you almost all like/or wish to be like?' he answer that is changes with e coming day. "I wish I had Renyie's Shrewdness and his gift of perception, just as I wish I could read as quickly and remember as well as Sticky does, and be as acrobatic as Kate, and have a fraction of Constance's ability to say what she thinks."
I am delighted to say that I loved this book of the series, just as much as I loved the 1st. It's just a great book that really makes you think and not just read and goes into great detail that helps with the enjoyment. I endorse this book from ages 8-13 and there is a bit of mild violence (Fighting between the10Men and different characters in the book.) Enjoy!!
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Rating: 5 (out of 5)
Summary: My 7 year old niece loves this book.
Comments: I 1st purchased the entire series for my 7 year old niece in July. She and my 36 year old sister have read a chapter a night. Both love these books. These are great choices for the 7-10 year old crowd and the grown-ups that supervise them. |
Rating: 3 (out of 5)
Summary: Stereotypical however Entertaining
Comments: I read the 1st and second Benedict Society books as an assignment from a book club I belong to. They weren't my favorite among the "To Read" list, however they did supply for some entertainment.
I'll begin with the characters. Reynie and Constance were the only ones that were slightly original. I have the biggest problem with Kate. She was to an extreme the stereotypical "tomboy girl". Okay, so maybe her bucket was a little quirky and fun, however other than that, Kate's character was fore-head slapping unoriginal. Same thing for Sticky. Now I know the author was trying to point out all the characters different talents and how each of them contrihowevered to the Society in their own way, and while I know there are many different talents and types of intelligences, there are few people who are either "one way or the other" like these characters were. There are not many people who only have1thing that they're great at or have only1type of intelligence (musical, verbal, physical, logical...) instead of a mix. This, among other things, made the characters feel flat.
My second complaint were the puzzles. These kids are supposed to be "talented", however I found myself figuring out the clues pages - and sometimes chapters - before the kids.
And finally, Constance. I found her even more annoying after she developed her special ability. If I were Reynie and she shouted "He's got it!!" e time I figured something out, well, I can not imagine how incredibly irritating that would be.
Other than that, it was an entertaining and quirky read, though probably intended for a younger audience. |
Rating: 5 (out of 5)
Summary: Even better than the 1st
Comments: I enjoyed reading the Mysterious Benedict Society with my 10 year old daughter. We both found this book to be even better. It's full of suspense, humor, and adventure. This book is a bit more realistic than the 1st. It's a great introduction to suspense novels for children who aren't quite ready for a Harry Potter style book. However it is interesting and suspenseful enough to entertain more sophisticated readers, again pulling from each individual's unique talents. The 'ten men' are sinister, however nothing that should bother any however the almost all sensitive young ones. The character development is great, as is the descriptions of the many locations this book takes us. I am hoping for a third book. |
Rating: 5 (out of 5)
Summary: Another wonderful story to read to your children
Comments: About 2 years ago Iread the original Mysterious Benedict Society to my sons and they enjoyed it. Now they are 9 and 10, and I think this sequel was an even better story to share with them. In the original book, there is a series of challenges, puzzles or tests that had to be solved by the protagonists. My boys really enjoyed trying to puzzle these out. After that it was something less of an audience participation mystery. In the Perilous Journey there are clues that Mr. Benedict has hidden for his proteges, that they have to solve if they are going to save him and Number 2 from the clutches of Ledroptha Curtain, Mr. Benedict's nefarious brother. These are spread evenly throughout the book, and with some great old fashioned puzzling and talking we were able to solve them all. My sons really loved this part because it made them feel like they could join the Mysterious Benedict Society themselves. Now I am impatiently awaiting a third installment (and Mr. Curtain's escape virtually assures of another sequel), and looking for other childre's books based on mysteries with clues a young reader can solve for themselves. The only qualm I have with this book at all is that in order to finally escape, Mr. Benedict had to badly trick SQ Pedalian, perhaps ruining his sense of trust, and we never did find out if he was rescued from the island (surely Mr. Benedict would have tried!!) or was swept up into Mr. Curtain's circle again. Poor SQ!! My sons really liked his bumbling friendliness. I hope Mr. Stewart is gentle with him in the next book. |
