The Mysterious Benedict Society

These are the times when I love the success of Harry Potter even more. Proof positive that long books can be popular, kids can be brilliant and the gritty parts of life don't need to be made shiny.

Our four protagonists - Reynie, Sticky, Kate and Constance - fit the typical personality types you tend to see in groups. Well, except for Constance. She's quite the fly in the ointment and it's not until the end that you actually discover why. (Shhh. Don't tell.) They're a group that you actually really get behind and root for from the beginning. Reynie serves as the leader and tends to be the point of view for the reader, so it's easy for him to be the favorite, but I think Kate has potential for future stories to be a breakout star.

The adventure is a bit on the unbelievable side at times, but that's part of what makes it an adventure. And just plain old fun.

The story reminds me a little of the Series of Unfortunate Events with the crazy acronyms, over-the-top villans and self-reliant children. If you enjoyed those, I'm confident you'll like these.

Reynie Muldoon
A careful thinker, Reynie becomes the leader of the group almost by default. He takes the time to think through every twist of the story, every puzzle thrown his way. He worries about being brave enough and stresses about suddenly having people who depend on him.

Kate Weatherall
A bit of a jump-first and look-later type, Kate takes an unconventional view of things. Her handy-dandy bucket contains a strange collection of odds and ends, things that turn out to be quite useful at the strangest of times.

Sticky Washington
The opposite of Kate, Sticky (real name George) is nervous and overly cautious. He is able to read at lightening speed and remember everything he reads perfectly. He finds inner strength he never knew he had and acceptance at a time when he really needs it.

Constance Contraire
Tiny, cranky and constantly tired, Constance doesn't seem to add much to the team. She has to be carried in order to keep up, provides obnoxious answers to any question and needs words explained to her constantly. In the end, she plays a crucial role in helping the team win out over Mr. Curtain.

If you buy any of the books recommended above, this page automatically makes a donation to the incredible nonprofit, Room to Read, which partners with local communities throughout the developing world to establish schools, libraries, and other educational infrastructure.