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Anyone read The Mysterious Benedict Society?
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Hi ladies, I’m looking for some thoughts on the book The Mysterious Benedict Society. We’re planning it for our next Book Club title and I’ve not had a chance to read it on my own yet to preview it. If you’ve read it can you tell me what you thought of the book, age appropriateness, anything to watch out for, etc? Our book club has 12 children ages infant to 12 and they’ve listened to a wide range over the years (anything from Charlotte’s Web to Around the World in 80 Days, Alice in Wonderland, and Swiss Family Robinson). I’m not worried about language level, just content.
Thanks! I love having other CM moms to answer questions.
I read it because it was given to my daughter for Christmas. I still have not let her read it, or rather I have not pushed it, because frankly it is just weird. The book is gripping, adventurous, etc., but in my opinion is not worthy to be put alongside the other books you mentioned just because of the strangeness of it. Kind of a sci-fi sort of violence, though nothing bloody or terrible. It’s been a few years, but I just don’t see this book at all as uplifting or even worthy of discussion among children so young, maybe the middle agers? I’m sure others on here may disagree, but mainly it just isn’t our style, (though I couldn’t put it down — ha! It IS interesting and keeps you reading.)
My 12YO son read the whole series last year. He really loved the books.
I didn’t read them, but I rely heavily on Common Sense Media for book/movie reviews if I haven’t previewed first.
I have read it as has one of my older boys. It’s a good read. There aren’t any parents around which some people might take issue with. For various reasons all these smart kids are on their own and live together at the Society. It’s good for problem solving and critical thinking. The action is good without being scary or violent. I would say it leans more towards the twaddle side of things but sometimes you need a clean, fun book. My 7-year-old (the youngest I have) would be able to understand it and enjoy it.
Tristan, I just read your blog post about your book club! We used to have one, but it morphed into science but now everyone is asking for book club back!
In looking over your list of books you’ve done (didn’t realize you were the blog post mom until I read the list of books), I do question whether “Benedict Society” would be a good fit overall with your group. It is similar in some ways to “twenty one balloons”, but as an earlier poster said, no parents, and frankly just not the sweet gentle read that most of your books are.
(Not that all are reading has to be Pollyanna stories, but you have a big mix of ages, so that’s mainly where I’m coming from.)
You might want to pick up a copy and just read a few chapters yourself and see what you think. It is a thought-provoking story, but some families will have issues with it, so I don’t recommend it wholeheartedly. My daughter does not like that kind of thing, so has not taken an interest in it.
Thanks Shelly, I was able to borrow it free on my Kindle throught the library so I’m trying to power through it this week and weekend now. We shall see!
My older son and I have read the entire series and frankly we love them. They are very well written, highly entertaining and great for critical thinking. There is a lot of great discussion material here, but I would say for an older crowd — maybe 10 and up. My now nine year old enjoyed the prequel last Christmas, but was not as interested in the rest of the books yet. I do not think they are twaddle– I think they would make an excellent choice for a book for this older age group if you take the time to really dig in them — the emotions, the thought processes that lead the characters to make the choices they do. There is a sci-fi element (there is a mad-scientist attempting to take over the world through brain-washing, one of the characters has the ability to effect the emotions of those around her, but there are consequences), but nothing I would call objectionable. Maybe they are not the choice for your all ages group, however.
My 13 daughter read the whole series and exchanged correspondence with the author. She adores this series!
I was concerned about these at first, so I read the series before the kids did. I am very conservative about allowing witchcraft, magic, or any ‘new age’ ideas to go unchecked in my kids’ reading. We found them acceptable for the and up crowd – they are ‘mysterious’ without being ‘evil’ if you know what I mean?
And the writing quality is excellent. Hope that helps!
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