RUNNING HEADER: RESPECT OTHERS AND THE MYSTERIOUS BENEDI

Respect Others and The Mysterious Benedict Society

Angel K. Stahl
January 3, 2014

Seton Hill University

RESPECT OTHERS AND THE MYSTERIOUS BENEDI

In the novel, The Mysterious Benedict Society (Stewart), three of the young adults, Reynard Reynie Muldoon (11), George Sticky Washington (11) and Kate Wetherall (12) and a fourth character, Constance Contraire, are portrayed as gifted, intelligent, and resourceful students. As a group they are very dynamic and save the world with the support of their adult mentors/teachers (Mr. Benedict, Number Two, Rhonda Kazembe, and Mulligan). The author, Trenton Lee Stewart, often mentions in the story that the members of The Mysterious Benedict Society (MBS) are only highly regarded by their teachers and not by others. Everyone else in the world especially the authorities would not listen to them or believe their story if they were to reveal Mr. Curtains evil plot considering he is a highly respected scientist. In general, children are considered to be juvenile, immature and possess very little intellect. children. Adults are considered to be superior, mature and highly intelligent compared to It reminds this author of the phrase Children should be seen but not heard. Fortunately, for the member of the MBS, Mr. Benedict and his team see children in a completely different light. This characteristic of a good

teacher compares to the ideas behind This We Believe Keys to Educating Young Adolescents (AMLE). Mr. Benedict values his students and is prepared to teach them and engage them in learning about whom they are and the value they offer as an

RESPECT OTHERS AND THE MYSTERIOUS BENEDI

individual to the team and to their community. Through his leadership and a shared vision for all stakeholders Mr. Benedict gains the trust of his students and in turn trusts them. It takes courage and the collaboration of everyone for the mission to be a success. Mr. Benedict and his family are very supportive and encourage the team to use each of their individual assets to be success in their mission of finding out all they can about Mr. Curtain and the unique school he opened, Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened (L.I.V.E. or EVIL spelled backwards), a mysterious organization that attracts young gifted children. L.I.V.E. is transmitting coded messages into the minds of residents in Stonetown near Stonetown Harbor. Many of the children enrolled in the institute are orphans and outcasts due to their exceptionalities much like the member of MBS. However, even here the MBS often find themselves to be outcasts among other outcasts. They are faced with common stereotypes of being a nerd, weird, strange, untrustworthy, cheaters because no body could be as smart as they are in their abilities. Messengers and Executives who believe they are superior to other students similar to the cheerleader and jock stereotypes bully them everyday. Bullying is a

common issue for all schools including L.I.V.E. and Mr. Curtain could learn a lot from the idea of communitybuilding as a way to thwart, and dramatically reduce, bullying. When students are members of strong community, they feel accepted and supported, not isolated and excluded (Dillon, 2013). This is an anti-bullying strategy Mr. Curtain, as well as todays teachers, administrators, families

RESPECT OTHERS AND THE MYSTERIOUS BENEDI

and community leaders should strive to develop and should be portrayed more frequently in literature, movies and in schools around the globe. The novel does not provide the reader with any historical connections other than to indicate the use of television, cell phones, various technology and sophisticated computer systems. Based on this information and a few references about developed countries (e.g., China and Holland) the novel could be compared and contrasted to any time in the late twenty or early twenty-first century. A novel written without specific historical references would enable a middle school teacher to use this novel in their middle school curriculum as a way to compare and contrast the relations and attitudes of todays students with the experiences and relationships of the characters in the book. This novel encourages the reader to look within themselves to learn about who they are while looking at others to find and accept how they are the same and different and from this comes greatest. This reminds me of Ron Clarks Rule #4, Respect other students, comments, opinions, and ideas (Clark, 2003) and that is just one of the many lessons, Mr. Benedict helps the members of the Mysterious Benedict Society learn. During discussion, respect other students comment, opinions, and ideas. When possible, mark statements like, I agree with John, and I also feel that or I disagree with Sara. She made a good point, but feel thator I think Victor made and excellent observation, and it made me realize Authors Note To learn the age of Constance Contraire, you must read the book.

RESPECT OTHERS AND THE MYSTERIOUS BENEDI

REFERENCES
AMLE (Association of Middle Level Education, 2010). This we believe Keys to education young adolescents. Clark, R. (2003). The Essential 55. New York, NY: Hyperion. Dillion, J. (2013). The best antidote to bullying? Community-building. Retrieved January 3, 2013 from: http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2013/12/11/14dillon.h33.html?tkn=LSOFK%2FVQn S8njFI0dlT5j9wl9jpl5YobEJsE&cmp=clp-edweek&intc=es&intc=mes Stewart, T. L. (2007). The Mysterious Bendict Society. New York, NY: Little, Brown and Company a division of Hachette Book Company.