The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner’s Dilemma (The Mysterious Benedict Society #3)

The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner’s Dilemma (The Mysterious Benedict Society #3) by Trenton Lee Stewart

“Join the Mysterious Benedict Society as Reynie, Kate, Sticky, and Constance embark on a daring new adventure that threatens to force them apart from their families, friends, and even each other. When an unexplained blackout engulfs Stonetown, the foursome must unravel clues relating to a nefarious new plot, while their search for answers brings them closer to danger than ever before.”

This is probably my favorite book of the entire series. Stewart’s writing is funny and a bit sarcastic, which is right up my alley. The kids are in for more adventures and facing plenty of danger. But as long as the trust each other and use each other’s strengths, they’ll get along alright.

Hardcover
448 pages
Published October 6th 2009 by Little, Brown Young Readers (first published January 1st 2009)
ISBN13: 9780316045520

3 stars

The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey (The Mysterious Benedict Society #2)

The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey by Trenton Lee Stewart

“The fabulous foursome readers embraced as The Mysterious Benedict Society is back with a new mission, significantly closer to home. After reuniting for a celebratory scavenger hunt, Reynie, Kate, Sticky, and Constance are forced to go on an unexpected search–a search to find Mr. Benedict. It seems that while he was preparing the kids’ adventure, he stepped right into a trap orchestrated by his evil twin Mr. Curtain.

With only one week to find a captured Mr. Benedict, the gifted foursome faces their greatest challenge of all–a challenge that will reinforce the reasons they were brought together in the first place and will require them to fight for the very namesake that united them.”

More exciting adventures for Reynie, Sticky, Kate and Constance. This book was just as good as the first in the series, maybe even better as I read it in only one day. Again, the author writes with a great sense of humor and I love the pace of the story. It makes me want to read it without putting it down.

Hardcover
440 pages
Published May 1st 2008 by Little, Brown Young Readers
ISBN13: 9780316057806

3 stars

The Mysterious Benedict Society (The Mysterious Benedict Society #1)

The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart

“Young readers who have worked their way through Lemony Snicket may well find their next obsession in The Mysterious Benedict Society, a dandy YA debut by novelist Trenton Lee Stewart. This engaging tale has all the elements tweens find intriguing: gifted kids, a dangerous mission, and a secret society where nothing is as it seems. Stewart throws plenty of challenges — physical, mental, and moral — in the path of his young protagonists, and readers will have fun solving the riddles and unraveling the clues in this smart, unconventional mystery. Complex, unpredictable, and deeply respectful of children’s innate intelligence, The Mysterious Benedict Society is highly recommended for thoughtful preteens. P.S. We loved it, too!”

Once again, this is another book that I picked up at the bookstore on whim because first, I liked the cover art, and second, the premise sounded good. I found out later that the illustrator is Carson Ellis, who illustrates the album cover art for The Decemberists, a band that I love.

Anyway, I loved the book. I knew I was going to be hooked on the entire series less than halfway into the first chapter. One of the reasons that I bought the book was that it was so long (I love to buy thick books that will *hopefully* take longer to read) but it was still a pretty fast read simply because it was such a fun read. The characters are great too and the author writes with a wonderful sense of humor. I read the whole series within days. Definitely a YA recommendation.

Paperback
485 pages
Published April 1st 2008 by Little Brown and Company (first published March 7th 2007)
ISBN13: 9780316003957
E.B. White Read Aloud Award for Older Readers (2008), Massachusetts Children’s Book Award (2009), Iowa Children’s Choice Award Nominee (2011)

3 stars