book reviews: The Mysterious Benedict Society

taken from Goodreads:

"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."

Any time I get the chance to walk into Cassidy's room and tell her "You must read this book!", it makes my day. I have always been thrilled about her love of reading, because it means I've been able to introduce her to so many of my childhood favorites. Being able to continue to swap books with her -- and then talk about them afterwards -- is one of my special joys.

This book really captures the feel of what I think of as traditional children's literature, but combines that with adventure and mystery and a decidedly not-so-perfect worldview (as much as I love them, some of the books from my childhood were a little too Pollyanna sometimes...) Bad things happen here, but the main characters learn to deal with those situations and to make the best of them. Amazing things happen too, and the characters learn important lessons along the way.

One of the things I love most is that this is a book that celebrates being smart and a little bit different -- because those things are things that matter in the outcome of the story, but not as much as being loyal and brave and honest, too. I've always been proud of Cassidy for being true to herself and being proud to be a smart kid, and I hope she recognized bits of herself in this story.