Week 4

Another delightful children's book from the shelves at our library! This is probably one of the best books I've read this year and I believe it's the first in a series, which, of course, puts a big smile on my face. I love series books and I know this one can make it big.

The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart follows 4 children, Reynie, Kate, Sticky, and Constance, that are all orphans of a sort. The children participate in taking a series of tests to determine if they are right for very mysterious positions that requiring "gifted children looking for special opportunities." Once chosen for this society (and only these 4 are chosen), they begin learning more about what their leader, Mr. Benedict wishes for them to accomplish.The children set off to Nomansan Island, where a very peculiar school resides, under the leadership of a Mr. Curtain. The children must go undercover to the school and find out just how and why Mr. Curtain is planning to take over the world, as well as foil the plan. The children get into all sorts of scrapes and mishaps along the way, but always stick together, as true families do.

This book really is going to get big in the children's fiction world. I loved this book and stayed up quite late just to finish it all. The characters are fantastic and deep and extremely well contrived and the plot is unique and fast-moving. Definitely a page turner. If your child enjoys Harry Potter, the Spiderwick Chronicles, or A Series of Unfortunate Events, he or she will love this book. It's clean in language and a wonderful selection for bedtime reading. I really did enjoy this book and hope more people will pick it up in the future.