The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner's Dilemma (The Mysterious Benedict Society #3)

by Trenton Lee Stewart (Author) Diana Sudyka (Illustrator)

The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner's Dilemma (The Mysterious Benedict Society #3)
Reading Level: 4th − 5th Grade
When an unexplained blackout engulfs Stonetown, Reynis, Kate, Sticky, and Constance must unravel clues relating to a nefarious new plot, while their search for answers brings them closer to danger than ever before. Filled with page-turning action and mind-bending brain teasers, this wildly inventive journey is sure to delight.
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As in the previous series entries, the children's well-delineated characters are believable as those of young prodigies, the narrative puzzles mesh with thumping good action scenes, and the good-versus-evil plot balances the warmth of family connections with the excitement of deathly peril.

ALA/Booklist

Displaying much of the charm of the first book, this would make a fitting end to the series, but the Society’s legion of fans probably wouldn’t say no to more.

School Library Journal

Reynie, Kate, Constance, and Sticky return for a third adventure. This time, the megalomaniac Ledroptha Curtain schemes to regain his deadly Whisperer machine. As Constance develops her powers of mental telepathy, Reynie and the others use their gifted minds to puzzle through Curtain's master plan even as they fall prey to his kidnapping attempt. Imprisoned by well-meaning and sinister characters alike, the Society members face choices that test their loyalty as well as their intellect. Sequels sometimes lack the intensity of the original works, and "Prisoner's Dilemma" struggles with this syndrome at times. The children's unique talents, long since revealed, are past the startling sparkle of their introduction. As character development yields to a dominant plot, the story lacks the facile agility of its predecessors. On the other hand, the opening gambit is fresh and frightfully funny, as is Constance Contraire always and forever. The writing is replete with rollicking metaphors. Finally, as in the best of E. L. Konigsburg's novels, Stewart's introspective characters examine the significance of their experiences. Unlike most adventurers, these special children see the world surrounding their story and share it with readers. If this is the last Society installment, readers had better, as Reynie says, "acquire a taste for the bittersweet. - Caitlin Augusta, Stratford Library Association, CT

Copyright 2009 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission

Review quotes



Trenton Lee Stewart
Trenton Lee Stewart is the author of the award-winning and New York Times bestselling Mysterious Benedict Society series. He lives in Arkansas with his wife and two sons.

Diana Sudyka received a master of fine arts degree from Northwestern University. She lives and works in Chicago as an artist.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9780316045506
Lexile Measure
900
Guided Reading Level
V
Publisher
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication date
October 05, 2010
Series
Mysterious Benedict Society
BISAC categories
JUV001000 - Juvenile Fiction | Action & Adventure
JUV028000 - Juvenile Fiction | Mysteries, Espionage, & Detective Stories
Library of Congress categories
Friendship
Adventure and adventurers
Schools
Science fiction

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