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