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4.2 AVERAGE
4.2 AVERAGE
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
I reread this book largely for the nostalgia--I really remember liking this book when I read it during late middle school/early high school, along with Wendy Mass' other books. It was just really fun and cute, I think that if I hadn't remembered the majority of the plot it would have been super intriguing. I'm obviously no longer the target age but I still really appreciated the characters' complexity and the plot. I love that there are fun mystery books for middle schoolers and will def recommend to some younger readers (if I encounter any lol)
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was so much more than I thought it was going to be. It's not just a book about a candy competition. There are surprises and twists and genuinely heart warming moments. It's funny and magical enough to keep your attention while also actually meaning something. I wasn't expecting that but I loved it. A super fun book that I think anyone of any age would enjoy but would be an especially great read a loud book for kids.
Cross Spy Kids with Willa Wonka with Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and kablammo, you've got this supercute, well-written, fun novel. The basic story is told 4 times from each child's 3rd person omniscient perspective, which gives you the opportunity to see the bird's eye view of the entire story in increasing scope. This was one of the titles my 6th grade book club chose and I look forward to hearing what they thought about it in our first discussion today!
medium-paced
when i was in middle school i read this and loved it but looking back i cant rmbr why but im pretty sure its bc this was my willy wonka
Classic Wendy Mass and a contender for middle grade book club. Four kids are competing against each other and also against a larger group in a contest to create the next big candy breakthrough. Each kid brings his/her own issues and past experience to the candy factory. We gradually discover (each kid narrates a part of the book) that these kids are all connected in some way, a surprise to them also. I can see some good discussion topics- candy, friendship, competition, painful memories, parental expectations, dreams and goals, collaboration and forgiveness.
Four children have been chosen to compete in a national competition to find the tastiest confection in the country. Who will invent a candy more delicious than the Oozing Crunchorama or the Neon Lightning Chew?
Logan, the Candymaker's son, who can detect the color of chocolate by touch alone?
Miles, the boy who is allergic to merry-go-rounds and the color pink?
Daisy, the cheerful girl who can lift a fifty-pound lump of taffy like it's a feather?
Or Philip, the suit-and-tie wearing boy who's always scribbling in a secret notebook?
What a wonderful book! I loved this very cute, clever, touching story. When I want a fun easy read then Wendy Mass is one of the authors I go to. She is very creative and develops her characters well. I have read several of her books and I love each one. There are always lessons to be learned. Things are not always what they seem.... I loved how she took the 4 main characters and wrote several chapters from each in the first person then tied it up in the last several chapters of the book. The descriptions were great and I felt like I was in the candy factory with the kids!
Logan, the Candymaker's son, who can detect the color of chocolate by touch alone?
Miles, the boy who is allergic to merry-go-rounds and the color pink?
Daisy, the cheerful girl who can lift a fifty-pound lump of taffy like it's a feather?
Or Philip, the suit-and-tie wearing boy who's always scribbling in a secret notebook?
What a wonderful book! I loved this very cute, clever, touching story. When I want a fun easy read then Wendy Mass is one of the authors I go to. She is very creative and develops her characters well. I have read several of her books and I love each one. There are always lessons to be learned. Things are not always what they seem.... I loved how she took the 4 main characters and wrote several chapters from each in the first person then tied it up in the last several chapters of the book. The descriptions were great and I felt like I was in the candy factory with the kids!
Absolutely, positively one of my favorite reads of 2021! Wendy Mass is such a wonderful story teller! She does an amazing job of developing young characters that are believable and entertaining. She also has a way of mentioning difficult pre-teen life changes and issues without making them a huge deal and showing that they are perfectly natural things that every kid goes through.
Candymakers also has candy - lots and lots of candy. I would love to visit Life Is Sweet factory and spend hours in the various candy making rooms or try to make my own candy in the lab. This book had my son and I looking up ingredients online so we would know what they looked like and other ways they were used.
Can't say enough about this book! We ordered the next book and can't wait to start reading it when it gets here!
Candymakers also has candy - lots and lots of candy. I would love to visit Life Is Sweet factory and spend hours in the various candy making rooms or try to make my own candy in the lab. This book had my son and I looking up ingredients online so we would know what they looked like and other ways they were used.
Can't say enough about this book! We ordered the next book and can't wait to start reading it when it gets here!
It started verrry slow. About halfway through, it got pretty great! However, if I ever have to say Bubbletastic Chocorocket again..!