The Mysterious Benedict Society

No, it’s not a secret cult from a religious order. No Benedictine monks are involved. A Monk Building is involved on occasion. And there are mysteries to be solved.

The Mysterious Benedict Society, written by Trenton Lee Stewart, is a children’s trilogy featuring a tiny group of talented children thrown together in a seemingly mysterious way. A newspaper ad reads: “Are you a gifted child looking for special opportunities?” While many try, few are chosen.

The book begins with an orphan named Reynard, who has special talents, but does not fit in with the other children in his orphanage. The mysterious newspaper ad brings him, together with three others, into the orbit of the eccentric Mr. Benedict who needs their help for a mysterious special task that he thinks only they can accomplish. Reynard and his friends form the Mysterious Benedict Society, and combine their complementary talents to solve the mystery at hand.

While there are some similarities to the Harry Potter series, the Mysterious Benedict Society probably shares more in common with A Series of Unfortunate Events, both in tone and in whimsy. Like many other children’s “adventure novels” where a group of kids must band together, it’s about friendship and trust and looking out for your buddies. There are interesting puzzles to be solved, quirky characters, and hazards abound for the children. Help comes from unexpected quarters, and the adventures quickly pick up the pace keeping you the reader interested in what will happen next.

I’ve been purposefully vague in my descriptions so as not to reveal the plot. There are some interesting storylines involving mind and memory control. No scientific details are provided, although complex computer-attached devices are involved. I’ve previously speculated on ultrasonic brain control, and related to the Harry Potter spells, the workings of legilimency and memory charms. I find these topics interesting, not because I’m interested in mind-control, but because they intersect with teaching and learning. Our brains, our minds, how memory works, how we learn difficult concepts, how and why we forget things – these are all fascinating to me as an educator.

While I like the first book best because the characters are being first introduced, all three are good and of similar quality and pace. My niece introduced them to me a month ago, and I enjoyed reading all three back-to-back over the last several weeks. I’m surprised they haven’t been made into movies yet given the first book was released back in 2007, although an internet browse suggests a TV series is in the works. If you’re looking for fun and clean children’s fiction, I’m happy to recommend The Mysterious Benedict Society.