The Mysterious Benedict Society was at the top of my favorite book list for a number of years. Even now, it holds up as one of the most delightfully complex novels that, in my opinion, defines the middle grade genre. Trenton Lee Stewart published the nearly-500-page New York Times Bestseller in 2007, and it has been followed by two sequels and a prequel.
The story follows four gifted children who are sent on a secret mission to infiltrate a boarding school which appears to be broadcasting messages into people’s minds. The characters are quirky and memorable, and Stewart has been praised for introducing deep ethical and moral dilemmas. He saturates the novel with tests of wit, secret codes, and brilliant plot twists, all with high play-along-ability.
Here’s what I learned from reading The Mysterious Benedict Society with a writer’s eye:
THE MYSTERIOUS BENEDICT SOCIETY RULE #1: KIDS AREN’T STUPID
One of the things that Stewart does so well is weaving the riddles and puzzles smoothly into the storyline. He does not, by any means, underestimate his readers.
As a young reader, I remember feeling challenged by this book – and loving every second of it. Every story has some element of mystery to it, and Stewart provides subtle clues and foreshadowing leading up to every reveal, so that readers often figure out the solution just moments before the characters do.
The middle grade genre is usually handed to readers ages 8-12, and there are some big words in The Mysterious Benedict Society. I’m talking about words I had to look up in a dictionary. But coupled with the countless witty puzzles and the fact that the book is a literal brick, reading it made me feel really smart.
THE MYSTERIOUS BENEDICT SOCIETY RULE #2: TO EACH CHARACTER HIS OWN QUIRK
Stewart relies heavily on his quirky characters, often for humorous effect—for example, a character described as looking like a pencil with a yellow suit and red hair is called Number Two. Although the novel uses quite a few clichés, I think this novel proves that tropes can work when executed appropriately.
The protagonists’ quirks prove helpful in advancing the plot. Each of the four children has multiple moments in which their individual gifts fit a problem perfectly—at times, almost too perfectly. The book is a great example of interweaving plot with character, without either outshining the other.
THE MYSTERIOUS BENEDICT SOCIETY RULE #3: MIX HUMOR WITH DEPTH
In the lulls between action, Stewart finds room for plenty of silly moments. These are especially related to readers’ increasing understanding of the different characters and the way their personalities often clash. The simply outrageous behavior of some of the characters contributes to the comedy as well.
However, as the story progresses, Stewart doesn’t shy away from the seriousness of the climax he has set up. The children have to make some pretty hard ethical decisions without the input of adults. They eventually have to sacrifice themselves, in various physical and mental ways, to essentially save the world.
As a writer, I see this as a good example of being able to create a fun story that provides a bit more than just entertainment. It definitely makes for a memorable novel.
(One final note – in researching for this post, I found out that Stewart recently released a third installment in the series! I will definitely have to check it out. Has anyone read it yet? Let me know what you think!)
If you liked this post, I encourage you to read the one I wrote a while back on R. J. Palacio’s Wonder.
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Finally, I want to hear from you! What are some other great middle grade novels with takeaways for writers? Comment your recommendations below.