I was thrilled to learn that Trenton Lee Stewart, the author of The Mysterious Benedict Society books, is writing a prequel to his middle-grade series. The prequel is titled The Extraordinary Education of Nicholas Benedict.
Before I go on, I have to acknowledge that I have a somewhat personal connection to Stewart—we’re both from Arkansas, and I profiled him for a Little Rock newspaper before I started working for BookPage. (I also moderated his session at last year’s Southern Festival of Books and reviewed The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner’s Dilemma for BookPage.com.)
The Mysterious Benedict Society series is about four very different children: steadfast, clever and “average” Reynie (the star of the books); adventurous Kate; brainy Sticky; and mind-reading, cranky and hilarious Constance. The four kids are recruited to help the genius Nicholas Benedict prevent evil Mr. Curtain from taking over the world. One of the great things about the series is that the lovable four main characters are so distinct that practically every child can find someone to identify with.
Prisoner’s Dilemma—which has a conclusive ending—was supposed to be the final book in The Mysterious Benedict Society series, although Stewart has acknowledged that the decision wasn’t set in stone.
The prequel, set for a spring 2012 release from Megan Tingley Books, will follow “a brilliant young boy named Nicholas Benedict, who has his own unusual friends and his own mystery to solve.”
I guarantee that there are many children and teachers who will be overjoyed by this news—there was a packed crowd at the early-Saturday morning Southern Festival of Books signing, and many hands shot up immediately after Stewart’s reading. (Not to mention that book one in the series was on the New York Times children’s bestseller list for a year.)
Do you or your kids/students read The Mysterious Benedict Society books? Are you excited about the prequel?
This author was generous enough to donate a signed copy of his book to our elementary school fundraiser silent auction. For that, I am forever grateful! Great things happen in Arkansas.
My three chidren will be thrilled with this news! I just told my 9 year old son, who used to be my reluctant reader before he read this series, and he said, “Can we order it right now?!?!” We’ll be looking forward to it’s release!
Hmm…I have mixed feelings. I love the books, but often the prequels just don’t work out well. I hope he can do a great job though! Oh, and I am 34…and reading them to myself, sharing them with my husband.
Hear, hear!
I am so excited! These books are soooooo amazing! All of my friends and I have read them, and we can’t wait for the release!! The last thing that would make this perfect is if it was made into a MOVIE!!! But the movie would have to be PERFECT. Nothing less. PERFECT
TEAM S.Q. ALL THE WAY
That is great! I hope they make a book four though! Maybe “The mysterious Benedict Society and the dark secret” Maybe Mr. Curtains “Ten Men” Are still out there and are making a come back. Huh? Huh? I love the series by the way, and I cant wait till the prequel, but im still reading book two. I cant wait until I reach the third book, it looks so cool!
omg wow thats an awesome-sauce idea!!!! Why didn’t I think of that, lol!!! GET TRENTON’S EMAIL AND SEND HIM THE IDEA!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!
And ya, S.Q rocks
I love the books and I can’t wait to read the prequel. I just started the third book. I hope they tell Number Two’s name soon becuase I am just ITCHING to find out!
they say in the third book…and it is quite a fitting name
I LOVED this series but I don’t usually like prequels. I really want another actual book in the series!
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yes yes yes! as many had said before, they wish it was a movie, but they are just too perfect for that. Plus a big part of the 1st book is the fact that no one watched TV. but anyways, I’m super excited for this book!!!!!11
so true and if there was a movie it would totally go down in flames. Thats my opinion just because hollywood or whatever could NEVER pull off such an amazing story!!!!!!!!! I LOVE M.B.S!!!!! I would hate to see it get a bad rap if the movie sucked!!!
i reaalyy hope they make a movie! my brother has read the book too and he thinks i look just like Kate!
I’m really excited, but i’m also kinda afraid cause im pretty sure it will miss the whole adventure,and prequels dont work always..
I will read it anyway, and see how it works out!
What exciting news!!! I’m halfway through MBS2, and am looking forward to cracking the pages of the Extraordinary Education.