"In a city called Stonetown, near a port called Stonetown Harbor, a boy named Reynie Muldoon was preparing to take an important test."

Sometimes I dearly wish that certain books had been written 20 years ago when I was a kid. The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart is one of these books. It was totally enjoyable now but I think it would have been even more so had I been able to read it in my youth.

The book starts with the administration of a special test to some special kids. Only the most extraordinary ones pass and they find that they have been chosen to attempt a task that, if successful, will mean saving the world but if not successful will mean a very bad outcome for the youngsters and many, many others. The kids each have their own strengths but must learn to work together and to trust in themselves to be successful in their task.

This book is the first in a series -- the second came out recently -- and I think it will be a good standard for the new generation. It is empowering and puts a lot of emphasis on thought and reasoning but also values personality and physicality. Every kid will find someone to relate to and look up to in the Benedict Society.

One of the smart kids,
K


Buy The Mysterious Benedict Society on Amazon or find it at your local library.