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4.2 AVERAGE
4.2 AVERAGE
f Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Wonder got together and made the perfect book, it'd be The Candymakers. I ordered a copy for our library a while back but never got around to reading it myself, mostly because it was always checked out and is gigantic. One of our fifth grade teachers said her kids had gotten her to read it and it was worth it. And boy, were they right! It was so, so good. I liked the differing point of views, how the story kept getting pulled back to the start, how everyone's backgrounds interlocked. And that scene when what Miles saw was revealed. Waterworks!
3.5 stars - cute, fun story. My 10 year old self would have loved this book!
The Candymakers is a fun, sweet, and clever book about four kids competing in the national candy making competition. Mass tells the story from each child's perspective, and it is just perfect.
I picked this up at ALA with much excitement. It was described to me as "Willy Wonka meets Mysterious Benedict Society" and I liked at least one of Wendy Mass's previous books. As I started in on it, I was pleased to find decent jokes, a quick-ish pace, and lots of mouth-watering candy descriptions. The structure of the book is interesting too: Each of the four main characters (Logan, Miles, Daisy, and Philip) narrate separate sections of the book. So after we've read Logan's POV, we go back in time and see the day through Miles' eyes, then Daisy's, etc. So it's a slow reveal of what's really going on, which definitely keeps the pages a-turnin'.
The mystery is very Wonka-esque. Three kids are invited to a candy factory to learn about candymaking so they can enter a candymaking contest (Logan, the fourth contestant, is the candymaker's son and lives at the factory). It seems as though someone is after the factory's secret ingredient and may be trying to close it down. But who's the bad guy? Why do these kids have so many secrets? Who can be trusted? Will the four kids end up best friends or bitter enemies?
I was with this book right up until the end. The finale could have really popped, but instead it fizzled. And it got pretty cheesy, too. Still, 90% enjoyable isn't bad. I always think the toughest part of writing a mystery/adventure story is coming up with a satisfying ending. Maybe it's enough that the journey is exciting, even if the destination leaves something to be desired. I think I'll still recommend this one. The premise alone will make it an easy sell.
The mystery is very Wonka-esque. Three kids are invited to a candy factory to learn about candymaking so they can enter a candymaking contest (Logan, the fourth contestant, is the candymaker's son and lives at the factory). It seems as though someone is after the factory's secret ingredient and may be trying to close it down. But who's the bad guy? Why do these kids have so many secrets? Who can be trusted? Will the four kids end up best friends or bitter enemies?
I was with this book right up until the end. The finale could have really popped, but instead it fizzled. And it got pretty cheesy, too. Still, 90% enjoyable isn't bad. I always think the toughest part of writing a mystery/adventure story is coming up with a satisfying ending. Maybe it's enough that the journey is exciting, even if the destination leaves something to be desired. I think I'll still recommend this one. The premise alone will make it an easy sell.
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
When I read this book it was a sweet treat to my mind. It is pure fascinating how authors like Wndy Mass can capture amazing memorable moments in a full detailed description that makes readers picture all of the scenes in their mind. To learn more about these genuis friends competing to make the most intruiging candy read this and I garuntee it will be just as sweet as candy for you!
I really enjoyed this book. I read it about two years ago and re read it a little while ago, and while it was a little juvenile I still really liked it.
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes