Many of the characters in this book also appear in the first installment of the series. How have these characters changed from one book to the next? Choose at least three characters and describe their development across the two books.

One of the main focuses of the Mysterious Benedict Society books is the children’s frequent need to solve puzzles to get to the next stage of their adventure. Try to come up with your own riddle or puzzle, using this book as inspiration. Ask a friend or classmate to solve your puzzle.

Compare and contrast this book with another text that has similar themes. Some options might include Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer or Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett.