Children's Review: The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey

{on Goodreads}

This second installment in the series picks up six months after the resolution of the four friends' first assignment as The Mysterious Benedict Society. This time around, the children and their families are reuniting at Mr. Benedict's- and he has a surprise for them. Just as they arrive, eager to enjoy each other's company, it is revealed that Mr. Benedict and Number Two have been taken by none other than Mr. Curtain. In this sequel he returns as the villain, have escaped the clutches of the government's top agents. It seems as though Mr. Benedict's big surprise- a sort of scavenger hunt on an international scale- is cancelled. The children know that it's up to them to disobey orders and save Mr. Benedict and Number Two, as they're the only ones who could solve the clues he's left behind. And so they set off on their second adventure together, during which they find out more about each other and about themselves; though they must learn how to play to each other's strengths in order to survive and rescue their friends.

Although I am a huge fan of this series overall, this sequel was not quite as impressive as the first novel (see my review for it here). It was a little slow to start- I wouldn't say I was completely captured (and by that I mean exclaiming aloud as I read) until about 300 pages in (for reference this book is 440 pages). My impatience for some action/more intellectual stimulation led me to pick up the book less often, resulting in a longer read time and therefore...more impatience. Once the story got going though, I was totally caught up in it. I loved that the four children's characters were developed a bit more in this book. There was conflict within each of them and their actions were reflecting their new depth, resulting in more dynamic relationships. In addition to that, the stakes were completely different (think personal rather than global) and the injuries sustained more serious- a definite draw for young male readers. I'll definitely be picking up the third installment at some point this year.

Recommended for grades 3-7 (ages 8-12).

Bottom Line Rating: 4/5

Title: The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey

Author: Trenton Lee Stewart

Publisher: Little, Brown & Co., 2008

Price: $7.20 (Paperback, on Amazon)

ISBN: 0316057800

Format: Hardcover

Source: Public Library

Book # 6 of 2014

Children's Review: The Mysterious Benedict Society

{on Goodreads}

The Mysterious Benedict society is the tale of four children: Reynie, Constance, Sticky, and Kate. These four come together through a series of tests, for which they found an advertisement in the newspaper offering "special opportunities" for those who passed. The circumstances of the tests are quite mysterious, and they lead the children to come under the guidance of Mr. Benedict, a strange and fascinating man who offers them a part in a most important mission: saving the world from a dark and dangerous man and his sinister plan. The children are each brilliant in their own right, and volunteer to work as a team on behalf of Mr. Benedict. They are led to a prominent preparatory school on an island, in which they enroll as new students, expecting to complete their mission shortly and return to Mr. Benedict. They soon find out that the plans being hatched are far worse than they could have imagined, and that their fruition is imminent. The children must work together quickly, without arousing the suspicion of those on the island. They face many obstacles, the least of which is the alluring draw of offers to take part in the evil plan itself.

This is one of my all-time favorite children's series. There are three books and a prequel, and each one is as amusing and enthralling as the next. What makes the series special is that the children are brilliant for their age. They have all faced difficult childhoods and are independent beyond their years, which makes the book mature in both its themes and language and suits young readers who like to be challenged. This book was recommended to me by a little girl that I babysat many years ago, and I am so grateful that she showed it to me. Even in my second time reading it, I was enchanted by it. Each character has their own endearing quirks, and the villainous circumstances of the children's mission mirrors the very situations that we face in today's world. Definitely a must read for children {and adults} who love the work of Lemony Snicket, as well as those who seek a unique read. 

Bottom Line Rating: 5/5

Recommended for children grades 3-7

Title: The Mysterious Benedict Society

Author: Trenton Lee Stewart

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company, 2007

ISBN: 0316057770

Format: Paperback

Price: $8.00

Source: Public Library

Genre: Children's Fiction

Book #60 of 2013