Bring on the tough stuff - there’s not just one right answer.
- In The Mysterious Benedict Society, people are being sent messages—without their knowledge—through media like TV, radio, and cell phones. The book is a work of fiction, but do you think this aspect of it has any basis in reality? Are people receiving messages of any sort through media like this? Explain your answer.
- Is watching TV a skill, like reading? We all know that the more you read the better you get at it, right? Same thing with writing, or playing basketball, or learning to ski or play the piano. But what about TV? Do you become a better viewer the more time you spend viewing? Why or why not?
- Overall, do you think television has had more of a positive or negative effect on society? Why? And how do you think Trenton Lee Stewart would answer this question? Explain.
- What's up with all the wordplay? Is Stewart just having fun by naming characters things like Ledroptha Curtain, Martina Crowe, and S.Q. Pedalian? What about Nomansan Island or the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened? Or the fact that Jackson and Jillson have an unfortunate incident with a pail of water? Is there a reason for all of Stewart's wordplay, or is he just amusing himself? Explain why you believe what you do.
- The four children who make up the Mysterious Benedict Society—Reynie, Sticky, Kate, and Constance—all have different approaches to life and learning. Which character do you think you're most like and why?