The Mysterious Benedict Society

The science fiction novel The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart is about four extraordinary talented kids that go on a mission to save the world from an evil genius that wants to control the human population. The four main characters have a few things in common : They are all extremely gifted, they all have the love of truth, they are all alone, no parents to take care of them, and they are all children. First is Reynard Muldoon, Reynie is 11 years-old and is a natural leader, his friends all look up to him for guidance and support. He has the great quality of an open mind, and a growth mind set of a leader. He is an orphan with no memory of his parents, and up to now he has been in an orphanage taught by his beloved tutor, Mrs. Perumal. Reynie has the  gift of strong logic sense. He can decipher puzzles and use his head to solve riddles and mysteries with just common sense. Next is Kate Wetherall, although she wants her friends to call her “The Great Kate Weather Machine”. Kate is 12 years-old and was raised in a circus after her mother died and her father “supposedly” abandoned her as a baby. Kate is a very confident girl, all the way from her high ponytail, to her circus painted sneakers. Her gift is quick thinking and amazing physical abilities. Kate can whip out her tan-tinted rope from her ever-present bucket at her waist, tie it to two doorknobs, and tight-rope right across the room in less than 15 seconds. That’s astounding! Then there’s George Washington, although he prefers “Sticky” (he’s a little sensitive about his name.) Sticky is the same age as Reynie, and is a shy, timid fellow. Whenever he gets anxious, (which is a lot) he tends to polish his spectacles, and fumble around- physically and mentally. Sticky is the only one out of the fantastic four that remembers his family. It is a sad story - why he became a runaway, through a series of miscommunications. Which is also the reason why he is bald, a formula he made months ago had burned his hair off, to disguise himself better. Sticky’s gift is of mental memory, he can read an 1,000 paged book in minutes, and everything just sticks to his head, hence the name. Which is shocking if you think about it, just a glance at a page and he will know everything it says! His knowledge is beyond what 50 experts will ever learn in their lives! Last but not least is Constance Contraire, Constance is a very petite, stubborn young girl. Her size is exceedingly staggering, about the  size of a three year-old! (hmmm) Constance doesn’t like being asked questions, so we don’t know a lot about her past life, only that she doesn’t have a family to take care of her. She has the stunning power of stubbornness, which comes to good use later on. The main problem is that Ledroptha Curtain, a man of a genius mind, but a malicious soul, wants to have control over the world. (how is “Ledroptha” a boy’s name?) Mr. Curtain has designed a machine that can brainwash people to do his bidding, as well a mental transmitter that sends messages to people’s brains that made humans do whatever Ledroptha wants! The Mysterious Benedict Society has to stop him before he sends the final, and strongest wave out! My opinion is that this is the best science fiction book I have ever read! I love how the plot keeps my eyes glued to every word. As well as the shocking twists of betrayal, surprise, and knowledge. It made me feel so exited when the characters figured something out, or were one step closer to “Mission Accomplished.” I love the action in their fights, the mystery in the puzzles, and thrill of everlasting adventure! -Serena

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