Candymakers by Wendy Mass

Wendy Mass has done it again with a thoroughly imaginative book about 12 year old Logan, the son of a candy maker.  In Candymakers (Lexile: 740; Interest Level: Grades 4-8), four twelve-year-olds meet at the Candy Factory to get ready for a competition to make the best new candy, but they are also learning about making friends.  The story is told from the perspective of each of the four children, all of whom are approaching the contest with very different backgrounds, which you only discover as the children tell their tales.  This book is full of adventure, mis-communication, friendship, secrets, lies, and amazing candy.  (I mean, who wouldn't want candy that turns from chocolate to gum and back again?!)  Fans of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and The Candy Shop Wars will enjoy this book.  Of course, fans of candy and anyone who ever wished they could live in a candy factory will, too!  (453 pages)

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