The Mysterious Benedict Society

In this story children form bonds with each other to compensate for their lack of a family. How do these relationships substitute for having a family? How do they fail to substitute?

The characters must solve many puzzles and quizzes in Mr. Benedict’s tests. Were you able to solve any of them before the answers were revealed? Which one(s)? How did you arrive at your solution?

A great many gifted children show up to take Mr. Benedict’s test. How did they differ from our protagonists, who were chosen for the team? What qualities made the team members stand out from the other applicants?