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

Mysterious Benedict Society and the
Perilous Journey (c) 2009
by Trenton Lee Stewart

The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey by Trenton Lee Stewart comes after The Mysterious Benedict Society and before The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner's Dilemma.

The four friends, Reynie, Kate, Sticky, and Constance are set to have a fun, non-dangerous vacation with their good friend Mister Benedict and Miss Number Two (whose real name we do not learn in this book) when they discover that Mister Benedict and Number Two have been kidnapped by the sinister Mister Curtain, Mister Benedict's evil twin brother! Though there are dangers aplenty, the kids take off to rescue their beloved mentor and his assistant. Along the way, they have many and varied adventures, and are given aid here and there, especially by Kate's dad, Miligan, when he finally is able to catch up to the swiftly traveling kids. What happens next, is an exciting adventure, and I highly recommend it to children and adults alike who enjoy clean, fast paced adventure stories!

The Magician's Nephew by C. S. Lewis (Focus on the Family version)

Magician's Nephew, The (c) 1955 by C.S. Lewis
Radio Theatre: Focus on the Family version (c) 2005

I recently listened to an entertaining version of The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis. It was not a word for word reading, but rather a dramatized version, with some narration, and dialogue spoken by actors, all accompanied by music and sound effects. The story is a version produced by Radio Theatre: Focus on the Family, and published by Tyndale Entertainment.

The original story by C.S. Lewis was published in 1955, and this version was recorded in 2005.

The story follows the adventures of two friends, Diggory Kirk and Polly Plummer as they are tricked by Diggory's dastardly Uncle Andrew into traveling to a new world. Through their adventures and mishaps, they come into the company of Jadis, the tyrannical queen of Charn whom they do not want to take with them, but she comes along with them anyway by force. Through another series of mishaps, the children, the wicked queen, Uncle Andrew, an innocent cabby named Frank and Frank's horse Strawberry, find themselves in a new world that is just beginning, being brought to wake by Aslan. Read the book, or listen to the story to find out what happens next!

While I personally prefer the book, I did like this version very much, and would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys C.S. Lewis.

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

Mysterious Benedict Society and the
Prisoner's Dilemma, The
(c) 2010 by Treton Lee Stewart

The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner's Dilemma by Trenton Lee Stewart is a fun ending to the first trilogy of the Mysterious Benedict Society. This time, Reynie, Kate, Sticky, and Constance embark on a new adventure, rather against their wills, but with all the pluck and courage they showed in the first two books. When a blackout washes over Stonetown, the kids quickly find out it isn't an accident, and the sinister Mr. Curtain, the evil twin of their beloved mentor, Mr. Benedict, is behind it, and, as usual, is out to get them. How will they outsmart Mr. Curtain and the ten-men, his evil henchmen?  Read the book to find out! I recommend this fun book to anyone who enjoys fast-paced, middle-grade books that have riddles and clues for the characters, and readers, to solve along the way.

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien, Abridged Version, read by Martin Shaw

Hobbit, The, by J.R.R. Tolkien,
Abridged Version (c) 2005 read by Martin Shaw

I enjoyed listening to an abridged version of The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien recently, read by Martin Shaw. The story was entertaining, and moved through the plot more quickly than the original. People new to Tolkien, or who don’t mind (to me) key scenes (like the description of Bilbo’s house, or the iconic scene where Bilbo climbs up to the top of the canopy in Mirkwood and sees the butterflies) being left out, would really enjoy this. Even those who miss such scenes may still like this reading. I did. Mr. Shaw did an exceptional job. The basic plot was still there with Bilbo and the dwarves and Gandalf, and their struggles getting to the Lonely Mountain and their problems with Smaug. I recommend this story to listeners who enjoy well-read fantasy.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Performed at the Scera

The Scera, Orem, Utah

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber will be performed at the Scera in Orem Utah until October 5th. I went the other day with my parents, and it was a great performance!

Joseph and the Amazing
Technicolor Dreamcoat
(c) 1972 by Tim Rice
and Andrew Lloyd Webber

The cast did a fantastic job, and had a lot of energy. I really appreciated that Benjamin, Joseph's little brother, was cast as a young person, and really appreciated the young actor's performance. One of my favorite scenes, was when the 12 brothers were tossing little Benjamin back and forth between them!

The story of Joseph being betrayed by his older brothers and sold into Egypt, rising through the ranks from slave to second in command to Pharaoh, etc. with the story told through hilarious and varied songs was exciting and funny. As always, I highly recommend this play, and in addition, I recommend this particular performance at the Scera in Orem. 

The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart

Mysterious Benedict Society, The
(c) 2008
by Trenton Lee Stewart

The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart is an enjoyable book for kids. Renny, Sticky, Constance, and Kate are four children selected by Mr. Benedict to embark on an important but potentially dangerous mission to stop the sinister Mr. Curtain and his dastardly scheme. Though what that dastardly scheme is, they don't yet know. All they know, is that Mr. Curtain is slowly and carefully putting subconscious messages into society via radio and television.

Will the kids be able to stop Mr. Curtain with Mr. Benedict and his friends' help? Read the book to find out!

I recommend this book to kids and adults who enjoy mystery and adventure!

Five Kingdoms: Time Jumpers by Brandon Mull

Five Kingdoms: Time Jumpers (c) 2018
by Brandon Mull

Five Kingdoms Time Jumpers concludes the exciting five book series by Brandon Mull. In it, Cole has to travel through time to secure the help of the founders of the Five Kingdoms, and find advice and knowledge in being able to face Romaro who wants to destroy the Five Kingdoms. But it won't be easy. The Perennial Serpent keeps showing up, and when it bites people, they just disappear! Have they been killed, or just transported to a different time? And will Cole be able to get them back? Not only that, but will Cole ever find a way to get himself and his friends back home to Earth where they belong? Read the book to find out!