Companion Book to “The Mysterious

Benedict Society”

By Nurayda Albeez
 Introduction
“The Mysterious Benedict Society” by Trenton Lee Stewart
introduces Reynie, a protagonist who is scared of being
alone. In the first scene, Stewart shows the reader that this
young boy often doubts himself as he is an orphan who
gets bullied a lot and is very lonely. His tutor, Miss
Perumal, sees an ad in the paper looking for children who
want special opportunities, and wants Reynie to go.
However, Reynie isn’t sure if he will qualify. The story
unfolds as Reynie goes to check out the special
opportunities and qualifies, but the author lets the reader
see that Reynie has gotten himself into something a lot
bigger than he could imagine. By the end, Reynie has
changed completely, and his fear disappears.
In this companion book, you will read about the importance of friendship
and teamwork. This is shown through character relationships and situations
where the characters need each other. You will also read about symbolism.
And finally, you will get a real treat: a chance to read a fan fiction scene that is
not in the original story, but helps explore Reynie’s relationship with Mr.
Benedict.
This book will make you think even more about this powerful story, and the
effective techniques of Trenton Lee Stewart.
Chapter 1: Reynie and Miss Perumal
From the beginning of “The Mysterious Benedict Society,” Trenton Lee Stewart
introduces the relationship between Reynie and Miss Perumal. The story starts with a
kind of flash forward, letting readers know that Reynie does end up going to the special
opportunities. Stewart then takes the reader back to a conversation before Reynie learns
about the opportunities, when Miss Perumal is trying to convince Reynie to go as he will
qualify. Both characters have completely different perspectives on the special
opportunities. This is shown in their dialogue and in their inner thinking(although we
don’t get to hear Miss Perumal’s inner thinking).
While showing Reynie the advertisement in the newspaper for gifted children
looking for special opportunities, Miss Perumal says, “Reynie! Look at this!
Would you be interested?”(Stewart 3). Actually, the text states she exclaimed it.
By doing this, Miss Perumal lets Reynie and the reader know that she thinks he
should go. Miss Perumal clearly thinks Reynie will qualify. In fact, she says that
Reynie is “...the most talented child...” she has ever known(Stewart 4). The
author probably chose these words to show that Miss Perumal thinks highly of
Reynie. This is an encouragement for Reynie, however, this can also put
pressure on him.
On the other hand, Reynie does not think he will qualify for the special opportunities.
What he says to Miss Perumal and what he thinks reveals that the situation is far more
complicated than it seems. When Miss Perumal tells Reynie if he would be interested in
the opportunities, he says, “I suppose I might be interested, if you think I would
qualify”(Stewart 4). Most people doubt themselves when they often make mistakes. But
Reynie doubts himself because he is insecure. Stewart reveals some reasons behind
Reynie’s insecurity on the same page. He does this when explaining Miss Perumal’s
melancholy sighs and writes, “Miss Perumal sighed when she was feeling sad for him, he
knew— sad to see him teased by the other children, sad the poor boy had lost his parents
— and Reynie wished...”(Stewart 4). Stewart is foreshadowing the importance of Reynie’s
insecurity in this text. The quote, “...but he did like knowing she cared. She was the only
one who did...” better sums up the relationship between Reynie and Miss Perumal, and
shows how important this relationship is to Reynie in particular(Stewart 4).

At the end of the story, there is a quick and happy twist in this relationship. Throughout
the special opportunities, Reynie’s insecurity disappears. He was valued by the other
children and treated with respect. Mr. Benedict(who is in charge of the special
opportunities) thinks of him as his “...young hero...”(Stewart 142). Furthermore, after
Reynie returns from his mission, Miss Perumal adopts him. Stewart lets the reader know
how happy both of them are by describing their reunion as “...much hugging and great
quantities of tears...”(Stewart 476). Finally, Reynie is happy and surrounded by people he
loves. It’s just as Mr. Benedict says to Reynie earlier, ”You must remember, family is often
born of blood, but it doesn’t depend on blood. Nor is it exclusive of friendship. Family
members can be your best friends, you know. And best friends, whether or not they are
related to you, can be your family”(Stewart 257).
Miss Perumal and Reynie finally share a wonderful bond at the end of the story— the
bond of a mother and son. We can only hope that this relationship continues to get
stronger just as other relationships in this story did.
Chapter 2: Reynie and The
Mysterious Benedict Society
Before they leave on the mission, Mr. Benedict tells the children that they would have to
work together in order to be successful. Keeping this in mind, throughout the book, as the
“leader” of the group, Reynie develops relationships with each member of The Mysterious
Benedict Society: Sticky, Kate, and Constance.
The best relationship Reynie has is with Sticky. Both boys have
lots in common. They are very intelligent, lonely, honest, kind,
and insecure. This is key to the friendship they develop.
However, Sticky is not an orphan like the others in The
Mysterious Benedict Society, but ran away from his parents
home because they only cared about the money Sticky won
from tournaments, and didn’t even care when he ran away.
Sticky’s past makes him more insecure than Reynie and very
nervous. The lack of love from his parents and loneliness also
crumpled his confidence as you can see in the following quotes:
“Next to him, Sticky was squirming uncomfortably...”(Stewart
78). “Sticky coughed and mumbled something about needing to
use the bathroom”(Stewart 79). The fact that Reynie and Sticky
share the same dorm room allows them to get to know each
other better. Reynie quickly understands Sticky’s situation and
tries to help. For example, when Sticky is taken to the waiting
room and arrives back to the dorm room wanting to run away,
Reynie tells him that he needs him and that he has to stay for
him. This motivates Sticky as he needed someone to depend on
him in order for him to realize he is not alone.

The next relationship Reynie has is with Kate. Kate and
Reynie are complete opposites. Kate is loud and
adventurous while Reynie is quiet and doesn’t prefer
much activity. However, they are both very clever, and
with Reynie’s strategy and Kate’s problem solving skills,
they make a great team. One unique thing about Kate is
that she always carries a metal bucket. The bucket
contains a pen light, glue, marbles, slingshots, a knife, a
flashlight, fishing lines, a pencil, eraser, a kaleidoscope, a
magnet, and symbolizes Kate’s adventurousness and the
need to always be prepared to get out of any situation.
The last relationship Reynie has in The Mysterious
Benedict Society is with Constance. As just a toddler,
it is no surprise that Constance is always sleepy, lazy,
and stubborn. She does not get along with anyone
and easily annoys Sticky and Kate as you can see in
the following quotes: “She’s nothing but a burden.
She‘s cranky, she’s not especially bright as far as I can
see, and she’s probably the clumsiest kid I’ve ever
met...”(Stewart 138). “Constance will only make
things harder”(Stewart 138). However, Mr. Benedict
believes she “...may be the very key...” to their
success(Stewart 140). And, as it turns out, she is.
Chapter 3: Fan Fiction: Reynie and Mr.
Benedict’s Conversation after the Mission
Reynie had really been trying his best to fall asleep. But the events of the day just wouldn’t
let him. He was so excited to have Miss Perumal as his mother, excited to have Sticky,
Kate, and Constance as friends, and a big house to live in with everyone he loved. He was
also a bit nervous because he had never had such amenities. For some reason, the desire to
meet Mr. Benedict was growing in Reynie’s heart. He had realized he hadn’t been able to
thank him properly since he had returned. A few seconds later, Reynie decided it was time
for a midnight meeting.
After several long hallways and twisted staircases, Reynie
found himself outside Mr. Benedict’s office and got ready
to knock on the door. He was a bit hesitant because Mr.
Benedict could be sleeping. Or maybe not in the mood for
Reynie’s company at such a late hour. Or maybe about to
go to sleep. Reynie sighed, put these thoughts away from
his mind, and knocked on the door. “Come in, Reynie,”
said Mr. Benedict. As always, Reynie found him on the
floor, this time reading a book about televisions, with a
plate of biscuits next to him and crumbs all over. “I assume
you had a hard time falling asleep and chose to come here.
After all, today was quite eventful.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Well, I am quite glad you did. I was starting to get bored myself. Care for a biscuit? They
are right out of the oven.”
“No, thank you.” Reynie said. He took his usual place on the floor across from Mr.
Benedict and began thinking about how he should thank him. “Sir, I cannot thank you
enough, the past couple weeks have been the best weeks of my life. You have given me
everything I have only dreamt of, a family, friends, and for this I will be forever grateful.”

“Reynie, Reynie, don’t be so thankful. You earned this opportunity and the rewards.”
Reynie began to say something but Mr. Benedict continued, “Let me tell you something
young man, intelligence is not what I was looking for when picking children for this
mission. It was character. Behavior, personality, all that. In fact, you were the first child I
had picked for this mission, because you had qualities I know very well. You know why?
Because I see them in myself. Don’t doubt yourself Reynie, you have no reason to.”
Reynie looked at Mr. Benedict for a while and thought, then he looked around the office
and saw all the books lining the walls, covering the carpet, and balancing on lamps.
“Sir, can I be a here a while?” Reynie asked.
“Of course you can, my boy.” replied Mr. Benedict.
“Well, if I want to read all these books like you have, I better get started!” Mr. Benedict
chuckled and handed him a book about Koalas. Reynie took it, made himself
comfortable, and started reading. Mr. Benedict realized it was well past midnight and
thought about telling Reynie to go to sleep. However, he was a child after all. “And this
was certainly true, if only for the moment”(Stewart 485).
Conclusion
Trenton Lee Stewart gives the reader a lot to think about in the book “The
Mysterious Benedict Society.” Reynie’s insecurity from bullying and loneliness
disappears. Miss Perumal is proved right about thinking Reynie will qualify for the
special opportunities, and is happier because of this. Is the lesson of this wonderful
story “Friendship can get you through anything?” Perhaps. Instead, it might be a
reminder that working together is very important in life.
Citations
Cover Picture: https://bookmamablogdotcom.wordpress.com/2014/08/02/module-8-the-
mysterious-benedict-society/
Introduction Picture: https://edu.glogster.com/glog/the-mysterious-benedict-society-by-
emily-tauscher/1q33wkifafx
Chapter 1 Picture: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/534098837028991341/
Chapter 2 Sticky Picture: https://mysteriousbenedictsociety.fandom.com/wiki/
Sticky_Washington
Chapter 2 Kate Picture: https://mysteriousbenedictsociety.fandom.com/wiki/Kate_Wetherall
Chapter 2 Constance Picture: https://mysteriousbenedictsociety.fandom.com/wiki/
Constance_Contraire
Chapter 3 Mr. Benedict Picture: https://mysteriousbenedictsociety.fandom.com/wiki/
Nicholas_Benedict