The Extraordinary Education of Nicholas Benedict - (Mysterious Benedict Society) by Trenton Lee Stewart (Paperback)

About the Book

Nine-year-old Nicholas Benedict, an orphan afflicted with an unfortunate nose and with narcolepsy, is sent to a new orphanage where he encounters vicious bullies, selfish adults, strange circumstances, and a mystery that could change his life forever. Illustrations.

Book Synopsis

Before there was a Mysterious Benedict Society, there was simply a boy named Nicholas Benedict--now it's time to meet the boy who started it all.

Nine-year-old Nicholas Benedict has more problems than most children his age. Not only is he an orphan with an unfortunate nose, but he also has narcolepsy, a condition that gives him terrible nightmares and makes him fall asleep at the worst possible moments. Now he's being sent to a new orphanage, where he will encounter vicious bullies, selfish adults, strange circumstances--and a mystery that could change his life forever. Luckily, he has one important thing in his favor: He's a genius.

On his quest to solve the mystery, Nicholas finds enemies around every corner, but also friends in unexpected places--and discovers along the way that the greatest puzzle of all is himself.

Review Quotes

Praise for The Extraordinary Education of Nicholas Benedict * "Gives readers a reason to fall in love with the series all over again...[with] adventures, danger, cleverness, dry wit, and good-hearted characters at the center of the action."--Booklist, starred review

Praise for The Mysterious Benedict Society: "Great cast of characters, lots of cool puzzles and mysteries. This book reminded me of some of the better children's books I grew up with, like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and The Phantom Tollbooth." --Rick Riordan

"Fans will be thrilled with the rich backstory of a beloved character."--School Library Journal

"Stewart balances the elements of his story beautifully, using the mystery puzzle to drive the plot while heightening tension through encounters with the Spiders and deepening the tenderness by following Nicholas's emotional development...[as] Mysterious Benedict Society fans have come to expect (and love) from master storyteller Stewart."--The Horn Book

"Stewart fills in the back story on the narcoleptic genius founder of the Mysterious Benedict Society...[with]admirable insight."--Kirkus Reviews

"Stewart's dry wit and character ingenuity is sprinkled throughout...enjoyable and charming."--Library Media Connection

About the Author

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 lives and works in Evanston, Illinois, with her family. She is the author-illustrator of Little Land, and her illustrations have been featured in numerous other books, including Dear Treefrog by Joyce Sidman, Would You Come Too? by Liz Garton Scanlon, and The New York Times bestselling Mysterious Benedict Society series by Trenton Lee Stewart.