Synopsis
Book 1 of 4 in The Mysterious Benedict Society. "Are you a gifted child looking for special opportunities?" When this peculiar ad appears in the newspaper, dozens of children enroll to take a series of mysterious, mind-bending tests. But in the end just four very special children will succeed. Their challenge: to go on a secret mission that only the most intelligent and resourceful 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. As our heroes face physical and mental trials beyond their wildest imaginations, they have no choice but to turn to each other for support. But with their newfound friendship at stake, will they be able to pass the most important test of all?- ★★★★☆
- ★★★★☆
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Mindful Muslim Review
This Gold Star book takes a typical “kids-save-the-world” plot and gives it a unique twist. The children are polite, loyal to each other, patient with a partner who is bad-tempered and antagonistic, and courageously noble when facing their fears. The book also demonstrates the harmful effects of propaganda, TV, and brainwashing. The children, though mostly orphans, are oriented not to their peers but toward caring adults–looking to them for comfort, wisdom, and notions of right and wrong. The happy ending involves all the children reuniting with their family or being adopted into a family.
Mindful Muslim Reader recommends the prequel and Books 1-4 in this series.
Teaching Tools
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