Friday, August 21, 2009

Books I Officially and Publicly Recommend: The Mysterious Benedict Society


I have been on fire recently when it has come to selecting books to read, and have a couple really fantastic books going right now. I believe my streak started when I purchased The Mysterious Benedict Society, by Trenton Lee Stewart.

This book is a smart, fun story about four extraordinarily gifted kids who must stop an evil man from taking over the world through hidden messages in the television--basically, television is rotting people's minds.

It takes place in a very Roald Dahl-esque Real-But-Not-Real world (and if you've read any Roald Dahl, you know his thoughts on the television), and the characters are wonderfully memorable. The four kids have such fun character quirks and real emotions that you can't help but be endeared and cheer out loud for them. Along the way, the kids must solve several puzzles and clues to achieve their goal, and you find yourself working out the problems right along with the kids as you read it. The back jacket flap asks in bold, "Are you a gifted child?" From the very beginning of the book, you think hey, I believe I am, thank you very much. It's full of heart, and just a gem of a book. I can't wait to read the sequel, and then the third one coming out in October.

Having said that, I now Officially and Publicly Recommend The Mysterious Benedict Society.

7 comments:

StaffPicks said...

I commented on your FB post already. But I'll say it again. Your review writing is above excellent. Wow.

Katie Anderson said...

I haven't read this yet, but I DID meet the author who was adorable and would have definitely hung with us at dinner the other night.

I must add it to my list! thanks for reminding me.

Tyler said...

Katie, that's so cool you met him! I'd imagine he'd be a really nice guy, just by his writing.

And thank you Paul, very much. :)

Christy Raedeke said...

Ah, this is my daugter's favorite series! She's freaking out that she has to wait until October for the third installment...

Good stuff.

storyqueen said...

Okay, you've sold me! Putting it on the list.

(Love anything that reminiscent of Roald Dahl.)

Shelley

Hardygirl said...

I love this one!

Christy, my daughter loves these books, too. Her favorites! And, Trent (we're that close, I call him Trent) was absolutely wonderful in person. He has such a cool, dry wit. Yes, Katie's right. He totally would have hung with us in L.A. His wife is super cool, too.

sf

Nishant said...

he'd be a really nice guy, just by his writing.
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