The Secret Keepers by Trenton Lee Stewart

New Umbra is ruled by the mastermind, the Smoke. Twelve-year-old Reuben is aloof to the city’s political problems until he discovers a mysterious watch. Reuben attempts to pawn the watch to help his mother, but it turns out the Smoke desperately wants the watch. Reuben decides to wind the watch and he turns invisible. Reuben relishes being invisible, but the Smoke’s agents zero in on him. Reuben leaves home to protect his mother and find the watch’s true owner. This leads him to the Meyer family and their legend with the watch. Because of their family’s legend, siblings Penny and Jack Meyer agree to help Reuben overthrow the Smoke.

Stewart expertly creates another unique middle-grade masterpiece full of puzzles, humor, and suspense. But the clever clues don’t overshadow the emotional depth of Stewart’s book. Before finding the watch, Reuben’s life was difficult. He father was killed and his mother struggles to provide for them. These trials rule Reuben’s life, not the political problems caused by the Smoke. When Reuben finds and uses the watch, he temporarily escapes his life by invisibility. But as Reuben gets entangled with the Smoke, Reuben realizes the Smoke’s addiction to the watch is the reason behind all the suffering in New Umbra. It’s a difficult realization for Reuben, but once he lets go of the watch, everyone flourishes, including himself. A fantastic read for ages 12 and up.

The Extraordinary Education of Nicholas Benedict by Trenton Lee Stewart

Because of his extraordinary intelligence and his narcolepsy, Nicholas Benedict feels like an outsider, especially at his new orphanage called ’Child’s End—once the manor of millionaires Mr. and Mrs. Rothschild. Soon after his arrival, Nicholas hears rumors about an unclaimed treasure left behind by Mrs. Rothschild. By working with his two new friends, John—a fellow orphan—and Violet—a neighboring farmer’s daughter—the three children uncover several clues about the Rothschild treasure. When Nicholas loses John to adoption and the treasure clues stagnate, Nicholas runs away.

Stewart does it again with this masterfully written prequel to his Mysterious Benedict Society series. Stewart explores two themes in the story: adults and friendship. First, because of his life in orphanages, Nicholas lost his faith in adults. When Nicholas decides that adults can be good, the treasure clues finally fall into place to reveal the Rothschild's unselfish charity. Secondly, Nicholas learns that friendship cannot be a one-sided relationship. At first, Nicholas only wants the treasure to escape his life at the orphanage. Once he put others needs before his own, Nicholas finds true happiness and purpose to his life. A beautifully written story that is sure to become a classic in children’s literature. 

The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner's Dilemma by Trenton Lee Stewart

After returning home with the Whisperer, Reynie's adopted mother and grandmother, Kate's father, Sticky's parents, and Constance all move into Mr. Benedict's home. But the happy household is disrupted by several government officials who demand the Whisperer be surrendered into their hands. Mr. Benedict ignores their forceful pleas until he can fully examine the Whisperer's power and operation. While the children's families are out of the house, Mr. Curtain's gang steals the Whisperer. Later, the children are kidnapped by Mr. Curtain's men and taken to be subjected to his Whisperer again.

Stewart brings his spectacular series to a fulfilling conclusion as Reynie, Kate, Sticky, Constance, and Mr. Benedict work together to finally thwart Mr. Curtain's plans. In all the books, there is a reoccurring theme of not misjudging others. For example, Constance can be very uncooperative and negative. Her attitude sometimes makes it difficult for the other kids to work with her. But once Reynie, Kate, and Sticky give her a chance to explain her past, they are able to better understand and respect her amazing capabilities. This is the final book showcasing the four children as the main characters, but there is a prequel called, The Extraordinary Education of Nicholas Benedict.

The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey by Trenton Lee Stewart

Several months after thwarting Mr. Curtain's evil plans, Mr. Benedict creates a world-wide "scavenger hunt" for Reynie, Kate, Sticky, and Constance to test their knowledge, courage, and teamwork. Soon after the children receive his assignment, Mr. Benedict is kidnapped by Mr. Curtain's gang. The children decide to complete Mr. Benedict's mission when they see that the scavenger hunt riddles and Mr. Benedict's kidnapping clues converge.

Stewart's second book in the Benedict series matches the first in wit, suspense, and heart. Readers are privileged to see the bonds of friendship grow even deeper between Reynie, Kate, Sticky, Constance, and Mr. Benedict as each one gains a better understanding of their background. Along with friendship, readers also see that a family bond is not created by blood alone. Together they have created a unique, loving family that supports their intellectual endeavors.

The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart

Reynie Muldoon is an orphan and a kid genius. When he sees a newspaper advertisement needing gifted children for a special study, he decides to answer it. After completing several odd mental and physical tests, four children remain: Reynie, Kate, Sticky, and Constance. The man behind the strange study is Mr. Benedict. He created the odd tests to find extraordinary children who could successfully infiltrate a secret boarding school run by the evil Mr. Curtain. Mr. Benedict has information that Mr. Curtain created a mind-controlling machine—the Whisperer—that can wipe away any person’s memories. After rigorous training with Mr. Benedict, the four children form a strong friendship and are soon enrolled into Mr. Curtain’s school. It’s up to their combined mental and physical efforts to sabotage the Whisperer and Mr. Curtain’s evil plans without revealing their connection with Mr. Benedict.

Stewart’s book is a refreshing read that has an intriguing plot, page-turning suspense, and consistent character development. The characters of Reynie, Kate, Sticky, Constance, and Mr. Benedict are lovable, intelligent, and identifiable to any reader. Through Reynie’s reflections, many wonderful life lessons are realized like the meaning of friendship, the importance of family, and the truth behind enemies. Readers will be put to the test, as they solve complex riddles and Morse code messages along with Reynie and his friends. This is the first book of a four part series. The second book in the series is The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey.