Gotta Be

The way I figure, Trenton Lee Stewart has to be a super smart guy.  A genius with a fantastic imagination and an incredibly talented writer who knows how to suck kids (and adults) into a book, yes, yes, but also a SUPER smart guy. The Secret Keepers snuck up on me.  I didn't realize Stewart had a new book out and was super excited to see it.  Great, great book and what I think will be a stand-alone which makes it even better!

.5?

The Extraordinary Education of Nicholas Benedict is .5 in the Mysterious Benedict Society series.  When I saw the .5 I was surprised!  It made me think about what I said about the novellas and all of the .5, and 1.5 and 2.5 and 46.4 that pop up now.  Thing is, I guess I didn't really consider this to be like those, with the "."s because it isn't a novella, it is just a prequel.
When I was just finishing up this book a tweet came in from LBKids that said that the series made this list.
I have to agree with it!  I have always loved this series.  And I wish there were more.  This book is the story of how Nicholas Benedict grew up, a little background on him.  And what I liked about it was, well, everything!  But one thing I really thought was super good was that he wasn't this totally super, goodie-goodie kind of kid.  He made bad choices and had selfish motives sometimes, but he learned from it.  A great mystery and I love the reader!  Del Roy did this one and I think all of them!

Is it Curtains for Mr. Curtain This Time?

Or will the Mysterious Benedict Society get their memories swept up and away by The Whisper? MBS and the Prisoner' s Dilemma is the third in the MBS series and the series has definately still as fresh as when it began. Reynie, Sticky, Kate and Constance as such interesting characters that they keep it interesting. If you are a fan of the first two books, you will rip right through this one as well!

Mysterious Benedict Society Even Better the Second Time Around

Well I can't really say that The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey was BETTER than the first MBS, but was just as awesome! Once again Reynie, Sticky, Constance and Kate face the evil Mr. Curtain. This book picks up a year after the Society thwarted Curtain's plan for becoming the most powerful person in the universe by controlling the minds of anyone who opposed him. In Perilous Journey the gang of four travel by boat, plane, train, and more to try to rescue Mr. Benedict and Number Two who have been captured by Curtain. It is another long book (400 page +) but it goes very quickly and it is so much fun!

The Mysterious Benedict Society

I am in love with the MBS. Truly. If only there was a real Mr. Benedict. I would love to hang with him. So far there are three books in this series about a group of especially gifted children who meet through the brilliant but quirky Mrs. Benedict. I finished this first book and am currently reading the second. One of the cool things about this book is that it doesn't date itself. It could be taking place today, ten years ago, fifty years ago or years in the future. In this book Mr. Benedict and the children, Reynie, Sticky, Kate and Constance, try to stop the evil Dr. Curtain from brainwashing and memory-sweeping the entire world in his efforts to control everyone and everything. It reminds me of those classic adventurous books about children solving puzzles, going on missions and trying to save the world, books like A Wrinkle in Time and The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe. I have recommended this book to kids, adults and as a family read-aloud. There were times when I actually could feel my heart palpating and I realized I was holding my breath in suspense- that's how good this book is!