| Author | Trenton Lee Stewart |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | Carson Ellis (first book), Diana Sudyka (second, third, companion, prequel), Manuela Montoya Escobar (fourth book) |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Little, Brown, and Company |
| Media type | |
| No. of books | 4 |
| Website | www |
The Mysterious Benedict Society is a quartet of children's books by Trenton Lee Stewart chronicling the adventures of four children, initially gathered together by the eccentric Mr. Benedict. [1] The first children's novels written by Stewart, each of the first three books were published annually from 2007 to 2009, with the fourth installment following a decade later. A companion book was released in 2011, and a prequel novel detailing the backstory of Mr. Benedict was released in 2012, called The Extraordinary Education of Nicholas Benedict .
Four young children, who are each gifted in different areas, are bound by a common factor: they are either orphans or have run away from their parents for reasons mentioned through the series' first book. The children become involved with the strange Nicholas Benedict and his guild of assistants who are trying to stop Benedict's twin, Ledroptha Curtain, from taking over the world via brainwashing. The children must enroll in Curtain’s school to be able to defeat him and his minions -the Ten Men- from the inside. During this perilous adventure, these four friends must learn to rely on one another, and think further outside the box than they ever have before.
A companion book featuring a collection of puzzles and riddles.
Written by Matt Manfredi and Phil Hay, with Tony Hale cast as Mister Benedict and Mister Curtain, [3] the series aired on Disney+ and Disney Channel, [4] with the first of eight episodes premiering June 25, 2021. [5] Additional cast members include Kristen Schaal as Number Two, MaameYaa Boafo as Rhonda Kazembe, Ryan Hurst as Milligan, Gia Sandhu as Ms. Perumal, Mystic Inscho as Reynie Muldoon, Seth Carr as Sticky Washington, Emmy DeOliveira as Kate Wetherall, and Marta Kessler as Constance Contraire. [2] The series creators have suggested any subsequent season would mix elements from multiple novels, rather than adapt each book as its own season. [6]
The series has sold over three million copies. [7] Many critics praised the enigmatic plot and puzzles included in the storyline of The Mysterious Benedict Society; journalist Michele Norris, writing for NPR, said, "Almost everything inside this book is an enigma." [8] Additionally, the ethical decisions and moral lessons contained within the book were praised. Kirkus Reviews said that the book was "rich in moral and ethical issues." [9] In a starred review for The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Jounrey, School Library Journal described the book as "not just a rip-roaring adventure ... but also a warm and satisfying tale about friendship." [10] Kirkus Reviews was less positive, saying that the book "may wear down less patient readers", citing the prose and needless elaborations in several areas. [11] Horn Book Magazine disagreed, saying that "Stewart keeps interest high throughout". [12] They especially praised the "first-rate brainteasers", [12] with School Library Journal also commenting that it had "plenty of clever twists". [10]
For The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner's Dilemma, Booklist stated "Displaying much of the charm of the first book, this would make a fitting end to the series, but the Society's legion of fans probably wouldn't say no to more." [13] while the School Library Journal wrote "the story lacks the facile agility of its predecessors. On the other hand, the opening gambit is fresh and frightfully funny ... If this is the last Society installment, readers had better, as Reynie says, 'acquire a taste for the bittersweet.'" [13] Kirkus Reviews called the book The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Riddle of Ages "Clever as ever—if slow off the mark—and positively laden with tics, quirks, and puns." [14] The American Booksellers Association named Riddle of Ages one of their ABC Best Books for Young Readers in 2019. [15]