The Extraordinary Education of Nicholas Benedict is a wonderful, light-hearted tale for all ages. Nicholas is a precocious, intelligent, nine year old orphan who suffers from narcolepsy whenever he experiences intense emotions. He has spent his whole life in orphanages waiting for that special famil... more

The Extraordinary Education of Nicholas Benedict is a wonderful, light-hearted tale for all ages. Nicholas is a precocious, intelligent, nine year old orphan who suffers from narcolepsy whenever he experiences intense emotions. He has spent his whole life in orphanages waiting for that special family to adopt him. Nicolas is very aware that the older he gets the less desirable he becomes as an adoptable child, even without his narcolepsy, so he holds no illusions that that event will happen in the near future. Nicolas can remember everything he encounters and this ability becomes significant as he discovers an intriguing mystery of treasure at Rothchild’s End, the newest orphanage home for him. The orphanage is filled with interesting characters from the stuffy orphanage director, Mr. Collum, to the love sick cook and housekeeper, Mr. Griese and Mrs. Brindle, to the anxiety riddled Mr. Pileus. Nicolas finds friends and enemies and deals with both in surprising twists and turns. This book is not Harry Potter with its intense game of good versus evil. It is just a good read that will warm your heart and put a smile on your face. - Reviewed by a member of The BayShore Bookworms