This week we’ve been adventuring in Wildwood, the wonderful book series by Colin Meloy and wonderfully illustrated by his wife Carson Ellis. Carson has also illustrated The Mysterious Benedict Society series as well as a couple Lemony Snickett books and many many more. She is such a great talent!!!
Don’t forget to check out our Wildwood Chronicles 3-Book Giveaway before it ends on July 19th!
I found this fun post in our archives and thought it might be the perfect book plus activity which can help you get through the Impassable woods or any such life test that might come your way.
Happy Reading and Enjoy !!!
‘The Mysterious Benedict Society’ written by Trenton Lee Stewart and Illustrated by Carson Ellis.
What would you do if you were specially chosen to take a series of tests? These aren’t ordinary, usual tests, but the sort which tries to see how clever you are. What if you passed these exams and ended up becoming a spy which uses secret codes and messages? Such is the case with the four main characters of the book “The Mysterious Benedict Society.”
Reynard “Reynie” Muldoon, George “Sticky” Washington, Kate Wetherall, and Constance Contraire pass a series of tests advertised in the newspaper and meet Mr. Benedict, a man trying to stop something known as “The Thing to Come.” Mr. Benedict sends them to The Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened (L.I.V.E.), where they meet Ledroptha Curtain, a man trying to take over the world using subliminal messages through “The Whisperer”, a machine of his own design.
The group finds out that they must obtain the high rank of messenger to get closer to Mr. Curtain. The children carefully spy on Mr. Curtain, finally getting close enough to destroy the machine, but Mr. Curtain escapes. The story ends…….
You didn’t think I was going to give that away, now did you? It’s a great and wonderful read.
Something To Do
The kids communicate from L.I.V.E to Mr. Benedict via Morse code, use a walkie talkie, or flashlight. Be sure to have paper and pen handy to write down your message. We had so much fun with this using our walkie talkies across the lake from each other. We have also used flashlights from an upstairs window to communicate with the treehouse. Have fun.
Looking for a unique way to keep your kids busy this summer…and engaged with nature? The At-Home Summer Nature Camp eCurriculum is available for sale!
The post Book-Jumper Summer Reading Series: The Mysterious Benedict Society Mystery Activity appeared first on Jump Into A Book.
Carson Ellis is an award-winning illustrator who has provided art for bestsellers such as "The Mysterious Benedict Society" by Trenton Lee Stewart, The Composer Is Dead by Lemony Snicket, and the "Wildwood Chronicles" by her husband, Colin Meloy.
I loved the first installment (
reviewed here) of Trenton Stewart's Mysterious Benedict Society books and this second installment was pretty fantastic as well. Lots of adventure, thrills, and more of those brilliant children we've all come to love!
Book two, titled
The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey, does in fact, take the reader on quite the journey! Reynie, Kate, Sticky, and Constance reunite about a year after the first book finished, ready to go on a scavenger hunt their beloved Mr. Benedict has set up for them. Unfortunately, once the pair gets together, instead of a fun game, they must complete the scavenger hunt in order to find Mr. Benedict, who has been kidnapped by the evil Mr. Curtain. The quartet boards a ship and ends up on a journey around the world, searching for their leader. All of the enemies from the first book are back and extra nasty, but the tricks the kids have up their sleeves are even more impressive, making for an awesome adventure.
I love these books and I'm already looking forward to the next one. If a book keeps me turning pages, involves me in the minds of the characters, and puts a smile on my face, it's a definite winner. Children will love this book, whether or not they've read the first book.
In a city called Stonetown, near a port called Stonetown Harbor, a boy named Reynie Muldoon was preparing to take an important test.
Overview: Reynie's life was about to change, all because of these nine words: "ARE YOU A GIFTED CHILD LOOKING FOR SPECIAL OPPORTUNITES?" Before he knew it, Reynie was standing in a very long line of children all waiting to take that test, which led to another test, and then another, each more mysterious and puzzling than the last. But only four very special children succeed: Reynie, Sticky Washington, Kate Wetherall, and Constance Contraire. They soon discover they've been selected to complete a secret mission that requires the intelligence and resourcefulness that they alone possess. It's a mission filled with mystery, excitement...and danger. Will they accept it? And more importantly, can they succeed if they do?
For Teachers and Librarians: Where to begin? First and foremost, The Mysterious Benedict Society is an excellent story - one that will grab and keep the attention of each of your students. There's something for everyone here: mystery, danger, action, good vs. evil, puzzles, problem-solving, humor...even poetry! Weaved throughout are larger issues about society, power and control, as well as more personal journeys related to self-confidence, self-doubt, inner strength, leadership, trust and friendship. You could branch out into so many different directions, it's mind-boggling. Pick up a copy for yourself and read it. And keep a notebook and pencil right beside you as you read - with the watershed of lesson ideas that will no doubt pour from your mind as you read, you'll be glad you did!
For Parents, Grandparents and Caregivers: Author Trenton Lee Stewart said in an interview with KidsReads.com that the idea for The Mysterious Benedict Society came from his belief that "children are often seen, rarely heard, and always underestimated!" This is definitely a kid-power book. It will show your kids that they are important, and that they have great ideas that are worth listening to and acting upon. They will see that that with hard work and the help of friends and others who care about them, they can do almost anything. The story is action-packed, funny, serious, puzzling, mysterious, sometimes sad, and always surprising. The kids in this story learn a lot about themselves, the world they live in, and the adults who support them. What will your kids get from this story? The possibilities boggle the mind - so make sure to get a copy into their hands as soon as possible.
For the Kids: The world needs saving, but almost nobody knows it. Nobody, that is, except for four kids and the adults who brought them together. And get this: the only ones who can fix what's going wrong is the kids! There is so much in this book to like: a secret mission, snooping around for clues, solving riddles, even figuring out Morse Code. There is danger around every corner, but there's also help around every corner, too - if they can just solve the riddles to figure out what the help is. These are four kids who have the same feelings lots of kids have - they worry about their families, they worry about their friends, they get afraid, they wonder if they're good people and if they're strong enough or smart enough to do what has to be done. They laugh with each other, sometimes they get mad at each other, but they're always there for each other. So, can their friendship survive this most dangerous mission?
For Everyone Else: The Mysterious Benedict Society has a little bit of everything: mystery, action, poetry, humor, adventure, and an epic battle of good vs evil. There's so much to like here, and so many ways for you to identify with so many characters, you'll find it hard to put down...
Wrapping Up:
Title: The Mysterious Benedict Society
Author: Trenton Lee Stewart
Illustrator: Carson Ellis
Pages: 512 pages
Reading Level: Ages 9-12
Publisher and Date: Little, Brown Young Readers, April 1, 2008
Edition: Paperback
Language: English
Published In: United States
Price: $6.99
ISBN-10: 0316003956
ISBN-13: 978-0316003957
Nice review. I have this on my waiting list. Both my wife and oldest daughter read it and raved. I need to bump it up the queue. I've been up to my ears in robots and YA recently so switching gears would be nice.
Great to know that the second is as good as the first. I really do have to get to this series.
I'm getting a little obsessive about the third one coming out. I've hunted around online and haven't found any information on it whatsoever. If you hear something, drop a note! ;D
p.s. I also subscribed to your feed as I always find your reviews delightful. Now I can keep track!
Rats, I haven't even read the first one yet. I really need to catch up as the second looks just as good.
Hi! I know this has nothing to do with the post but I just wanted to say that I'm very happy to finally meet another book blog that neither approves nor appreciates improper matters soiling an other wise good book.
Thanks for providing a blog that shows that a clean book can be just as good if not better than a book containing inappropriate and improper material.
I didn't know there was a second one -- I'm jotting it down right now. Must have ... must have ...
I liked this one a lot, but not as much as the first one. Maybe because there weren't as many riddles to solve, or maybe because a little of the newness had worn off. Still, I hope there are several more in this series.
Excellent site you have here. I run a site similar to yours, and was wondering if you would like to trade links with me?
You can see my site at http://Jijol.Com . I would give your site a prominent listing on my page, if you would be willing to do the same.
I enjoyed reading your stuff!
Link Exchange / Blog Roll Info:
Title: Jijol.Com - Key To Success - 21 Things You should Know
URL: http://jijol.com
Regards,
Joseph
The Keys to Success: 21 Things Every Teen Should Know
I'm glad you liked the second book so much. I recently finished the first and was wondering if I should pick up the second. Sequels can often disappoint.