As promised here is my first book review:
The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart (2007), Audience: tweens.
The Mysterious Benedict Society instantly calls to mind Harry Potter and The Series of Unfortunate Events. Reynard (Reynie) Muldoon is a gifted child living in the local orphanage. Due to his high intelligence he is educated not with the other orphans but with a tutor. While he and his tutor are having breakfast he notices an advertisement in the local paper for "gifted child[ren] looking for special opportunites." This ad lead him to a series of tests that he and three other similarly orphaned (or runaway) children pass.
These four become the Mysterious Benedict Society led by Mr. Benedict who sends them on a spy mission to foil the plans of a mad scientist. Each of the four children have unique qualities that help them along the way. Reynie is the natural leader, George "Sticky" Washington remembers everything he reads and can read in many languages but cannot speak them, Kate Wetherall with the help of her bucket full of equipment can get into or out of any situation, and Constance Contraire is very stubborn.
While the tropes may be familiar the story is definitely not boring or usual. This is a story full of highjinks and adventure and with two follow-up novels is sure to become a beloved series and perfect for the reader who read all Harry Potter and Series of Unfortunate Events and is looking for something similar.
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