Binge-worthy Books: The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
- Elise
- May 20, 2022
- 2 min read
Updated: Oct 25, 2022
Welcome to Binge-worthy Books, where we review the title for that month's edition of our new Streaming Book Club, a book club around those titles that were later turned into hot new streaming shows or movies. So sit back and relax. We're getting ready to binge another book: The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart.
Join us in person or via Zoom on Friday, May 27th @12PM. Be sure to register early every month. This date also happens to coincide with our 2022 Summer Reading Program launch for all age groups. Come in and sign up and see what other cool and interesting programs we have coming up!
The Mysterious Benedict Society
by Trenton Lee Stewart
Book Summary
For fans of Lemony Snicket and Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library, this first book in the bestselling, award-winning Mysterious Benedict Society Series is not to be missed! -- Now an original Disney+ series.
"Are you a gifted child looking for special opportunities?" Dozens of children respond to this peculiar ad in the newspaper and are then put through a series of mind-bending tests, which readers take along with them. Only four children--two boys and two girls--succeed. Their challenge: to go on a secret mission that only the most intelligent and inventive children could complete. To accomplish it they will have to go undercover at the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened, where the only rule is that there are no rules. But what they'll find in the hidden underground tunnels of the school is more than your average school supplies. So, if you're gifted, creative, or happen to know Morse Code, they could probably use your help. -- Publisher Description
The Disney+ Series: The Mysterious Benedict Society
If you liked how Neil Patrick Harris did A Series of Unfortunate Events, you will love this show. It is fun and quirky, colorful and pulls on all the right strings as it plays with your expectations, while staying remarkably close to the original story so as to be completely recognizable to those who have already read the first book in the series. It has been such a success that a second season has already been ordered, although they say they will be playing a little more fast and loose with the storylines of subsequent seasons than they did here. Truth be told though, they have set up these characters so well that it would seem like it can only be a success.
Discussion Questions
Included are the official Hatchett Book Group discussion questions as well as my original show questions. Simply click on the list you want to explore.
Official Book Questions
Beginning on page 1, the importance of following directions is stressed to the children throughout the book and is accompanied by the threat of dire consequences if instructions are not followed to the letter. How do the instructions play a role in helping and/ or hindering the children in reaching their goal of being selected “the special gifted children?” How do they use the instructions to their advantage or disadvantage?
What is the most important test the children pass in order to be selected? How are they tested? Why doesn’t it seem to matter that all the children solve the problem in a different way?
With so much in common, Kate, Reynie, Sticky, and Constance still have dissimilar traits. What are the traits they possess that bring them together? What causes discord among the team members? What in their backgrounds and family life is similar? What is dissimilar? How do the likenesses play a role in their assignment?
At The Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened, along with the other messengers, the children in the Mysterious Benedict Society are taught that there are no rules. What is ironic about this statement? Why is there no truth to it?
What strength does each member of the team contribute to help the team succeed in its goal to stop the evil Mr. Curtain?
What is the Whisperer? How does it work? Why does it make the messengers feel so good about themselves when they sit in it and put the helmet on their heads?
How does Mr. Curtain determine what type of brain function he performs on the adults he kidnaps to work for him—a complete brainsweep or a Lacunar Amnesia? What is the difference between these brain operations?
When Milligan comes to rescue the children, their decision to stay on the island seems foolish and a sure death sentence for them. Why do they feel like it is the only decision they can make?
Kate’s willingness to break into The Whispering Gallery alone to dismantle the computer demonstrates her commitment and bravery. Why does Reynie allow her to take such dangerous steps? How does Constance show her loyalty?
Why is Milligan so devoted, even willing to die for the team throughout the story? Who is he? How does he come to work for Mr. Benedict?
Mr. Benedict and Mr. Curtain are twin brothers, one benevolent and kind and one evil to the core. What other similarities are there between these brothers? How does their past contribute to their different lifestyles? The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey
When Mr. Stewart introduces all four children in The Mysterious Benedict Society, they are all orphans and totally alone in the world. When we meet them again one year later, they have all been in a loving family. How has their environment changed them?
How does Reynie’s view of people change after his mission with Mr. Curtain? What advice does Mr. Benedict offer him? Does Reynie’s opinion change?
Reynie and Mr. Benedict have a unique relationship. Why are they drawn to one another for conversation and companionship?
When Reynie, Sticky, Kate, and Constance find out Mr. Benedict and Number Two have been kidnapped, they set out on their own to find them. Should they have waited for Milligan and Rhonda to go with them or at least left information as to their whereabouts? Why or why not?
Why is Reynie uncomfortable and suspicious of Captain Noland? Do his suspicions prove to be founded? Why or why not?
Why are Sticky, Kate, and Constance so hurt when Reynie throws the Captain’s radio out the window of the train? What is the significance of the gift Captain Noland gave Reynie?
How does Constance adapt to her new skill? How does her new ability help the team? Why are they all apprehensive about her ability to sense what is going to happen before it happens?
Mr. Curtain and Mr. Benedict’s personalities are markedly different. Would Mr. Curtain’s plan to impersonate Mr. Benedict have worked? Why or why not?
How does Mr. Benedict convince S.Q. to unlock his handcuffs? Why is S.Q. so surprised when Mr. Benedict uses the opportunity to unlock Reynie, Sticky, Kate, and Constance, and escape? How does S.Q.’s reaction affect Mr. Benedict?
Mr. Curtain and the Ten Men escape once again because Milligan and Kate refuse to kill them when they have the opportunity. Why do Kate and Milligan make the choice to let them live when they know Mr. Curtain and his Ten Men want to kill Mr. Benedict and his friends?
What are Reynie and Sticky expecting from their parents when they return to Mr. Benedict’s house? Surprisingly, how do their parents react to them?
Unofficial Show Questions
We are introduced in The Emergency right away. What techniques does the show use to show the widespread panic? How does it compare to the book?
The principal characters are introduced fairly quickly as well. Was there a main character that you particularly agreed or disagreed with the casting?
Was there something they had a given character do in their introduction that really seemed like the essence of who they were? Something completely wrong?
What was your immediate reaction when you first saw Mr Curtain was played by the same actor as Mr Benedict?
One of the messages that the book attempted to impart was the idea that we are all geniuses in our own way. Do you think the series did the same? Was it successful?
Is this your first experience with subliminal messages? If you have seen them before, what were they about?
What do you think it says about today's society that we could believe that the fear of the world is created by a big, bad supervillain-like person? How much truth do you see in this analogy?
The series spends a good deal more time with Mr Benedict and his associates than the book seemed to. Do you think this was a good choice? What do you think of Number Two, Milligan, and Rhonda? Good or bad casting? What about the kids?
Have you ever attempted to learn Morse Code or something similar? Why? Were you any good?
What are you good at that others aren't? A certain type of brain teaser? Finding your way in an unfamiliar environment? Gardening? Something else? Is there something you are passionate about?
How well do you think they recreated The Whisperer? Do you think something like the Whisperer would actually work? What about the Waiting Room?
Have you ever cheated on anything?
Mr. Benedict blames himself somewhat for Dr. Curtain's actions. How do you fall on the conversation? Do you believe each person is responsible for his / her own actions or are there times when others are ultimately responsible? Somewhere in between?
What was your take on the ultimate plan?
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