Review of The Mysterious Benedict Society, by Trenton Lee Stewart
The Mysterious Benedict Society
by Trenton Lee Stewart
read by Del Roy
Listening Library (Random House), 2007. 13 hours, 17 minutes. 11 compact discs.
I had not one but two parents tell me that their kids loved this book. When I saw it on audiobook, I thought I’d give it a try. Audiobooks are working well for me for light-hearted fiction that I can enjoy in small doses.
Renny Muldoon is a brilliant orphan who knows he is completely different from other children. When he sees an ad offering a test for gifted children looking for special opportunities, he goes to the test and begins the adventure of a lifetime.
Renny ends up on a team with other exceptional children who are offered a dangerous mission with the fate of the world at stake. The mysterious Mr. Benedict explains why only children can save the world now.
The adventure yarn that follows is a lot of fun. Sure, there are several coincidences and several places where believability is strained. However, it’s definitely an entertaining and exciting story.
Del Roy’s voice sounds like a kindly grandfather telling you a story, and I quickly thought of his voice as coming from Mr. Benedict himself.
This book is excellent for upper elementary age children who will enjoy some good, clean, and clever fun.
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www.sonderbooks.com/Childrens_Fiction/mysterious_benedict_society.html