65. The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart

I hope my grandson loves to read when he is old enough to tackle this book. It was such a fun fantasy. The characters are wonderful from the skinny, always eating Number Two to tiny Constance Contraire to evil Mr. Curtain; I enjoyed them all. Maybe it's a little too black and white between the good guys and the bad but it fits well with this story. Mr. Curtain has hatched an evil plot to take over the world through subliminal messages. Mr. Benedict knows the only way to thwart him is with children so he tests children all over the city to find a team that will be able to infiltrate Curtain's stronghold. The four children: heroic but average-looking Reynie; skinny, fearful and bald Sticky (George) Washington; athletic Kate Weathers; and tiny and stubborn, obstinate and cranky Constance combine their talents to become the tools Mr. Benedict will use to save the world. There is so much humor in this book along with a few subtle self-esteem building lessons. And the suspense was just right. I can't wait to read the sequel. Rating: 5