Benjamin Impossible: The Helium Heist by Timothy Root features the story of Benjamin, a 12-year-old genius from the world-famous Impossible family. As NASA's supply of hyper-helium, a special gas invented by Benjamin's father, is robbed by a mysterious culprit, Captain Lemonthyme contacts the Impossible Family on behalf of the US Air Force. The mastermind behind the heist turns out to be a madman hungry for world dominance. His sophisticated army of robots and his marvelously crafted plan make him an almost unbeatable force. With the evil lunatic on the loose, it is up to Benjamin and Lemonthyme, under the former's leadership, to save the world before it is too late.

Timothy Root's Benjamin Impossible: The Helium Heist is an adventurous as well as hilarious journey from the beginning till the end. The protagonist and his family are simply magnificent; I am certain that they can make readers fall in love with science. Benjamin, despite being young, is a brilliant character who is smart, witty, and courageous at the same time. He is the kind of character children tend to admire. I also appreciate the way Timothy portrays Benjamin's parents; the support they provide shows how encouragement from parents helps the children develop strength and confidence. Besides, I love how the story deals with serious themes, including power and destruction, without getting dull or grim at any point. By cleverly incorporating humor throughout the narrative, Timothy keeps the book suitable for everyone. I would recommend it to readers aged ten and above.

[Originally reviewed for Readers' Favorite]