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mrs_faith_owens's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The Mysterious Benedict Society is like The Series of Unfortunate Events and Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library all rolled into one, and while I, as an adult, really enjoyed it, I imagine children would love it even more. It is over 450 pages of good, clean adventure. No excessive violence. No love stories to hinder the plot. No bad language. Just four very smart children trying to save the world, and in doing so, they learn some very powerful lessons about being unique, being strong, and being loved.
Even though there's no EXCESSIVE violence, no adventure would be complete without a few harrowing fight scenes and close calls. There is one attempted kidnapping of the children early on, where they narrowly escape, and a few chapters later, you read about how one of the adults lost his memory in what reads like a kidnapping to the Institute. One major plot point is the children having to cheat their way through classes, although it's framed as generally the wrong thing to do. Finally, after several more close calls, Kate winds up needing to fight off two adults and a teenager and gets beaten up pretty badly in the process.
This book would be a great read for any 4-6 grader who loves adventure and mystery, but it would resonate especially well with kids who feel different or unaccepted. It does an exceptional job of showing how everyone needs people who are different because those differences are what make us stronger and thaf your family are the ones who love you no matter what, whether those people are related by blood or not. This would also be a good choice to read aloud to your children, as the words aren't overly difficult, and it generally flows really well.
There were several things that earned this book brownie points with me, not least of which is the name S. Q. Pedalian (a play on the word sesquipedalian). I also really appreciated the illustrations at the top of each chapter. They were quirky and somewhat whimsical. Finally, and possibly most importantly, even though this is only book one in the series, it did not - and I mean DID NOT - end on a cliffhanger!
Content Warnings
Minor: Kidnapping and Death of parent
noellegrace8's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This is maybe the... 4th? Time reading TMBS? So obviously, I adore it. It speaks to any kid who felt different, like an adult in a kid's body, too weird, too intellectual, or like an outcast. It's basically for G&T, ND people who can thoroughly enjoy an innocent story with great plotline and no raucous or raunchy shock factor. It's just great writing, great wordbuilding electric platonic chemistry, and deep characters. It's clever, emotional, and presents a beautiful look into what it means to be human. OH! And it's so funny, in such a casual way.
I give Del Roy 5/5⭐️'s. His vocal performance has the timbre to grab & keep your attention but a soft enough style to be soothing. He doesn't over-act or lack emotion; he's perfect!
I give Del Roy 5/5⭐️'s. His vocal performance has the timbre to grab & keep your attention but a soft enough style to be soothing. He doesn't over-act or lack emotion; he's perfect!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Dementia, Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Minor: Bullying, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
mle11's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Kidnapping, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
Minor: Vomit
ikiteahill's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
2.75
This book had such potential to represent people with a variety of physical and mental differences and it totally flubbed the opportunity. Various conditions such as narcolepsy and amnesia are grossly misrepresented. Some plot points are totally dismissed and made light of at the end, such as Sticky's parents exploitation of him .
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, and Vomit
Moderate: Chronic illness and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Gore, Kidnapping, and Death of parent
linneak's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, and Abandonment
Minor: Vomit, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
friendly_neighborhood_grandma's review against another edition
3.25
It wasnt really my thing but the ending is nice..
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
chrisljm's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
A charming children’s novel. I can see it being enjoyed by the intended demographic.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Confinement, Violence, Kidnapping, and Injury/Injury detail
morag's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping
Minor: Child abuse and Torture
sassmistress's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
5.0
5 stars and I'm finding the sequel! I laughed, I gasped with delight, I wiped the occasional watery eye. Full of daring heroics, friendship, resourcefulness, bravery, and the triumph of truth over attractive deception, this book is clean, full of riddles and mystery, and super engaging. If you're acquainted with Harry Potter, this book is comparable in reading level, writing quality, and engagement. No similarities in content, though, unless an "orphan" protagonist counts.
(Summary:
A small team of children join a brainwashing school as secret agents to discover the evil mastermind's plot before it's too late. For what? They don't know, but he's already been sending the world subliminal messages through the television and will soon be sending them directly to people's minds to condition them for the second stage of his plan, The Improvement... whatever that means.
)
I especially love how the children have their own unique ways of problem-solving (solving riddles and thinking logically, book smart with a photographic memory, thinking outside the box, resourcefulness/preparedness and physical skill). They're all necessary and valuable to the mission, even though one girl's contribution to the team doesn't become clear until the end of the book. The book is unobtrusively diverse in several other ways, too. Physical descriptions quietly reveal multiple races, skin tones, styles of dress. There are characters whose first languages are Tamil, Bembi, and Dutch. At least two characters have a disability that affects the storyline but does not limit their involvement in anything.
Minimum age for optional enjoyment would probably be middle grade, as there's some philosophizing, puzzles that young children won't get, and tense moments. You have to understand some basic rules of chess to get one minor plot point. It's a page-turner for adult me, too, so I think it would be an amazing family read-aloud if your kids are a little older.
(Summary:
A small team of children join a brainwashing school as secret agents to discover the evil mastermind's plot before it's too late. For what? They don't know, but he's already been sending the world subliminal messages through the television and will soon be sending them directly to people's minds to condition them for the second stage of his plan, The Improvement... whatever that means.
)
I especially love how the children have their own unique ways of problem-solving (solving riddles and thinking logically, book smart with a photographic memory, thinking outside the box, resourcefulness/preparedness and physical skill). They're all necessary and valuable to the mission, even though one girl's contribution to the team doesn't become clear until the end of the book. The book is unobtrusively diverse in several other ways, too. Physical descriptions quietly reveal multiple races, skin tones, styles of dress. There are characters whose first languages are Tamil, Bembi, and Dutch. At least two characters have a disability that affects the storyline but does not limit their involvement in anything.
Minimum age for optional enjoyment would probably be middle grade, as there's some philosophizing, puzzles that young children won't get, and tense moments. You have to understand some basic rules of chess to get one minor plot point. It's a page-turner for adult me, too, so I think it would be an amazing family read-aloud if your kids are a little older.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement
Minor: Bullying, Death, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Abandonment
No romance, no drugs, language, magic, or graphic violence. - There's an attempt to kidnap the children early in the book: they creep through the pitch black to try to avoid getting caught, and one girl gets hurt. - Someone's "thoughts were with them always", to which another character responds "as are mine... My thoughts and all my prayers". - There are lies of investigation and self-preservation, but none seem malicious or self-serving. There is mention of forging signatures to get the children into the school/fortress. They are secret agents, after all. They also find ways to cheat tests, sneak around so the bad guys don't notice them, etc. - The children are in danger, but it never feels dark, just like an obstacle to overcome and a reason to be brave. "But they'll catch you! They'll *kill* you!" There is the occasional beating and injury. There is a traumatic, but not dangerous, punishment inflicted on troublesome students. - The friends tell each other to "shut up", twice on one page. "I swear it" when making a promise. - They dose the cafeteria food to mimic a stomach bug. Kids are described rushing to the bathroom with a paper bag, the halls are being cleaned, and "I've never seen so many upchucking kids in my life". - There is a very gentle anti-TV / pro-book message threaded through the story. The TV is quietly brainwashing the general public with the messages it carries, but there are a few with the mental fortitude to resist it. - The girls often climb through the vents to get to the boys' room after lights out, but this is purely for secret-agent-team purposes. There isn't the slightest hint of anything but friendship/comradery. - One chapter has a sketch illustration of half-clothed Gemini twins. There is a brief description of astrology and it mentions that different birthdays have different signs. (which one is yours?, they ask each other as they try to decode a secret message).oliverreeds's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, and Abandonment