The Extraordinary Education of Nicholas Benedict
| Company type | Book |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | 2012 |
| Founder | Trenton Lee Stewart |
| Products | Children's literature, Prequel novel |
The Extraordinary Education of Nicholas Benedict is a book authored by American writer Trenton Lee Stewart. It acts as a prequel to The Mysterious Benedict Society, centering on the early years of Nicholas Benedict, a nine-year-old orphan prodigy, along with his companions John Cole and Violet Hopefield.
Plot
After departing from Littleview, nine-year-old Nicholas Benedict, who suffers from narcolepsy, is placed in Rothschild Manor orphanage. His condition, which causes abrupt episodes of deep sleep often triggered by intense emotions, results in his confinement to a locked room separate from the other boys. The window is sealed to prevent any escape attempts; however, Nicholas manages to remove the mortar before it hardens completely. He forms a friendship with John, a boy marked by chickenpox scars, and frequently confronts bullies called the Spiders—comprising Iggy, Breaker, and Moray.
Employing his sharp intellect, Nicholas formulates a strategy to leave his room during the night. When the director escorts him to the washroom, Nicholas takes an impression of the key in wax and later forges a skeleton key during metalworking lessons, granting him freedom to roam the manor after hours. He uncovers rumors about a hidden treasure within the manor and joins forces with John and Violet—a deaf girl living on a nearby farm—to search for it.
Following John's adoption and the destruction of his letter by the Spiders, Nicholas escapes but eventually returns motivated by encouragement from a compassionate government attorney. He learns that John has been adopted by Violet’s family. Violet considers giving up art school so Nicholas might be adopted as well; however, he declines this offer. In the end, Nicholas comes to understand that the supposed "treasure" is in fact a library—a cherished inheritance from Mrs. Rothschild—revealing its true significance.
Characters
Nicholas Benedict: A highly intelligent nine-year-old boy afflicted with narcolepsy.
Mrs. Ferrier: An elderly woman who accompanies Nicholas to Rothschild Manor orphanage.
Mr. Collum: The director overseeing Rothschild Manor where Nicholas lives.
Mr. Pileus: The general handyman working at Child's End (Rothschild Manor).
John Cole: A twelve-year-old boy bearing scars from chickenpox who becomes friends with Nicholas.
The Spiders: The group of bullies at the orphanage consisting of Iggy, Breaker, and Moray.
Mrs. Brindle: Responsible for cleaning duties at the orphanage.
Ms. Candace: The nurse nicknamed "Miss Pretty Pills," known for inadvertently causing illness among children.
Mr. Griese: The cook admired by Mrs. Brindle.
Mr. Furrow: Oversees barn and yard maintenance at the orphanage.
Rabbit: A donkey who assists Nicholas in retrieving a drill from a cave.
Violet Hopefield: A deaf girl who completed eighth grade and lives on a nearby farm; she becomes friends with Nicholas and John under unusual circumstances.