The Candymakers hits the New York Times Best Sellers List!!!

Picture me jumping up and down and screaming when my editor called to tell me. I’m still jumping (just on the inside now.)

Thank you everyone who found this book in the bookstore and took it home, and to the bookstores who have been so supportive of it, and to all the people at Little Brown for thinking of such creative things to do with it–my favorite was the Hershey bars with the book cover as the wrapper! Yum!

Here is a link to the list on the Times’ web site. It will be in the actual paper on Sunday (Christmas!).

Happy holidays!!

Wendy (still jumping)

65 Comments

  1. Aly on December 20, 2011 at 3:02 pm

    That’s amazing! You really deserve it, though. You’re a brilliant writer.

    • Isabelle on January 17, 2012 at 5:24 pm

      Im Isabelle and im 9 years old i just read The Candy Makers and i loved it so much that i decided that i would read all your books. Right know im reading Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life. I cant wait till I get to see it in the movies!!!!My favorite book store is Titcombs in Sandwich Mass. The person who owns Titcombs showed me all your books because I read all my books on my shelf at least 6 times and my bookcase is overflowing with books. I have to go for now bye!!!!!!

      From
      Isabelle

  2. Rebecca Dunlap on December 23, 2011 at 10:40 am

    i’m 9 years old and i’m your #1 fan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I LOVE your books a lot! I hope you write more because I’ve almost finished all of them:)

    • clare on May 14, 2013 at 7:53 pm

      I love her books too their the best and I hope that she writes more

  3. Michaela on December 23, 2011 at 2:35 pm

    Congratulations! And just in time for Christmas, too!

  4. Jake on December 23, 2011 at 7:45 pm

    Hi Wendy! I’m really like your books. I keep on telling people my favorite book of yours was this, then it was that, then I realized… I don’t have a favorite! They all had me reading until midnight! It was awesome! You are a autor who makes the characters seem real. Like, in EVERY SOUL A STAR, I missed Ally, Bree, and Jack, Kenny, and Melanie like they were my best friends! I love it when that happens. It’s bittersweet. I can see why you got on that Best Seller’s list. ~Jake~

    • Rocksan on January 13, 2012 at 9:06 pm

      i love ur book 11 birthdays you are brillent!!

  5. Selena Fan on December 24, 2011 at 3:37 pm

    ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

  6. Nadine on December 26, 2011 at 9:55 pm

    Hey Wendy! I’m a big fan of your 11 Birthdays series! (Please don’t be upset but those are the only books I’ve read that you’ve written.:( )I’ve read the summary for your book Leap Year: a Novel. I haven’t read it yet, but I know it’s gonna be good. It’s kind of neat that you to write a book about a girl who was born on a Leap Year, which I myself was actually almost born on in the year 2000.(My parents were really relieved at 4:12am because my birthday would have come every four years:D)
    Thank you for your time, and all the wonderful books you write,
    Sincerely,Your now-and-always fan,
    Nadine

    Note from wendy: wow, you came really close to being a Leapster! I hope you enjoy the book, i had a lot of fun writing that one.

  7. Katie on December 27, 2011 at 9:54 am

    I love your books I got 2 for x-mas and 1 for my scholl book fair!!!

  8. Katie on December 27, 2011 at 9:57 am

    Hope you come up with more books I can not wait to read every book you have!!!!!!!!! πŸ™‚

  9. Katie on December 27, 2011 at 9:58 am

    πŸ™‚ πŸ™‚ πŸ™‚ πŸ™‚ πŸ™‚ πŸ™‚ πŸ™‚ πŸ™‚ πŸ™‚ πŸ™‚ :):) πŸ™‚ πŸ™‚ πŸ™‚ πŸ™‚ πŸ™‚ Awesome!!!!

  10. Katie on December 27, 2011 at 9:59 am

    o:) o:) o:) o:) o:) o:) o:) o:) o:) o:) o:)o:) o:) o:) o:) o:) o:) Awesome!!!!

  11. Heather on December 30, 2011 at 9:05 pm

    Congratulations!
    The Candymakers is *such* a good book! πŸ™‚

  12. IRE on December 30, 2011 at 11:09 pm

    That’s awesome! I am a huge fan of yours and love every book of yours that I have read (11 Birthdays, Finally, 13 Wishes, A Mango Shaped Space, Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life, and Every Soul A Star.) You are one of my writing heroes, and congratulations on making the bestseller list!

  13. gracie on January 1, 2012 at 2:04 pm

    I love A mango shaped space!!!

    • lauren on January 26, 2012 at 8:51 pm

      Hi wendy i absolutley love your books they are awsome! I am reading a mango shaped space know it is so good! Cant wait for you to have a nee book i know it will be great!

  14. Grace on January 1, 2012 at 4:44 pm

    I knew you were going to hit the NY bestsellers. I just lovee your books sooooo much!! Please make tons more books. Your fans will be counting on you! Go Wendy!

  15. Alison on January 2, 2012 at 11:36 pm

    Wendy Mass,
    You are th BEST AUTHOR EVER!!!! I LOVE your books. Do you or anyone know about any writing contests for twelve-year-olds? I am not twelve I just wanted to know a year ahead of time. Once again you’re the BEST AUTHOR EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Thanks alot,
    Alison R.

    NOTE FROM WENDY: Hi Alison, thank you for the kind words! Alas, I don’t know of writing contests to recommend, but googling did pull up a bunch.

  16. Alison on January 2, 2012 at 11:42 pm

    Oh, I almost forgot. AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH
    SUPER-CALI-FRAGALISTIC-EXPIALI-CONGRATULATIONS on getting *Candy Makers* (AMAZING BOOK BTW) in the NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLER’S LIST!!! (AMAZING ACCOMPLITSHMENT!!!)

  17. Lydia V. on January 6, 2012 at 10:19 am

    OH MY GOSH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So happy for you, Wendy! You DESERVE it!
    …Wow…this is just AWESOME news! Now I have to read The Candymakers all over again!
    Congrats1!!! πŸ˜€ πŸ˜€ πŸ˜€
    Lydia <3

  18. vera, katya, and jose on January 6, 2012 at 2:30 pm

    hey wendy! we love your books and we especially loved candymakers! it is our fave book! we hope you write a sequel. it would make our day! congratulations on getting on the new york times bestseller list! you deserved it!!!!!

    – vera, katya and jose!

  19. Lily T. on January 7, 2012 at 10:00 am

    I love the Candymakers! I got it on my kindle (which i read ALL the time) and it is defanatley on my top 5 favorite books! After I read the Candymakers I read leap year! You are my favorite author and keep writing ’cause I love reading! πŸ™‚

  20. Grace on January 7, 2012 at 12:50 pm

    i was wondering if you would want to be in a candy contest? Great book, loved it!

    • Wendy Mass on June 8, 2018 at 10:20 am

      Anything with the word candy, count me in!

  21. john delich on January 9, 2012 at 11:19 am

    Hi Wendy,

    I have been searching for the movie off and on since reading Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life to my Upper Primary students before Winter Break. I have been to WalMart stores (Springfield, IL. Sent them corporate inquiries, had one of their CSRs do a search of their online and GOOGLE to try and help me. Today, I type you name into WalMart.com and only 11 entries show up…NOt your movie. The students have seen the trailer and want to see the movie very badly! Please help!

    • Wendy Mass on August 2, 2022 at 6:12 pm

      *My Very Late Reply to Recently Discovered Comments*
      ACK!! I hope they were able to find it way back when you first wrote, I’m sorry for the trouble! So much easier now in the days of streaming. All my best wishes to you!!
      Wendy

  22. Charlotte on January 14, 2012 at 10:39 pm

    Congratulations and well deserved! Glad to have helped move the needle by buying one for my daughter and I and then rushing back to buy 5 copies for Christmas gifts.
    We’re huge fans of all of your novels. Waiting anxiously for next book in Birthday series!!

  23. Rebecca Dunlap on January 22, 2012 at 9:42 am

    congrats i love that book <3

  24. Maya on January 23, 2012 at 5:37 pm

    Hey Wendy!
    Congratulations on your book Candymakers, it was truly amazing! I have read all your books (except the twice upon a time series), and although it was extremely difficult to decide i think my favorites are the birthday series, 11 Birthdays, Finally and 13 Gifts. I read it here, in your blog, that your going to continue writing the series, and that is sooooo cool! I wonder from whose point of view are you going to write from. Are you going to bring in a totally different character (like how you did in the past books with Rory and Tara)? or maybe you will decide to write from the point of view of a well known character like david? Maybe you could do it from leo’s point of view since he is ultra interesting (or lets say rather perfect!!!) and he will have a lot to do with whatever happened to connors little sister. or speaking of which you might do it speaking from connors perspective himself. Also in the next book someone has to turn 14 right?… hey maybe (if its suitable, off course) you could name the next book 14 wishes πŸ™‚
    Anways, these are just ideas and i know that you are probaly thinking of writing tons of other books before going into these series again, but i guess i got over excited!
    LOVE ALL YOUR BOOKs (specially the topics you write about!!!! ive been dying to read a book about synthesisia for ageeeeeees!!!)

    MAYA, YOUR NUMBER ON FAN FROM SOUTH AMERICA (AND PROBALY THE REST OF THE WORLD!)

    NOTE FROM WENDY: Great ideas!! And I’ve gotta say, you nailed it on who the narrator is going to be–you’re very smart!! I have one more book to finish before starting to write it though, so hang in there. :o)

    • Lydia V. on January 26, 2012 at 10:41 am

      I like that idea, Maya! And Wendy, if you don’t bite on that idea, I’ll write it for you! Haha, just kidding….
      maybe πŸ˜‰

      • Maya on February 13, 2012 at 5:52 pm

        Yeah, thanks Lydia!! Though im sure whatever Wendy writes will be better πŸ˜‰

    • Tara on January 26, 2012 at 6:05 pm

      Guess What? My name is Tara too!

    • AbaGayle on January 29, 2012 at 6:39 pm

      David! Awesome!!! : DD

  25. Anastaya on January 23, 2012 at 7:12 pm

    o my goodness that is soo amazing!!! I can understand why! It was such an amazing book it was very creative please keep writing your books:)

  26. A Fan on January 26, 2012 at 5:16 am

    Hi, Wendy can you please just say Hi, it would mean a lot to me if you replied! :O

    NOTE FROM WENDY: Hi!!! and a hug!

  27. Tara on January 26, 2012 at 6:02 pm

    I’m a huge fan and I’m honard to share the same name as Tara from 13 Gifts! I’ll totally read the ‘Twice Upon A Time’ Series but I still REALLY want to find out what happens to Tara in Willow Falls! Why do Amanda and Leo have black-boards in 13 Gifts but not in 11 Birthdays or Finally!

  28. Sarah on January 26, 2012 at 7:04 pm

    Hey Wendy I love your books awesome job ,fanstatic job! I am reading The CandyMakers right now! WOW! I have read other of books AMAZING. I just wanted to Hi and how great yourbooks are well done. It’s so enjoyable. I going to have to read the others of your books. Have a nice Night.

  29. AbaGayle on January 29, 2012 at 6:37 pm

    OMG! Congrats! What a great Christmas gift. I loved the book.(:

  30. Selena Fan on February 1, 2012 at 10:08 am

    Thank you very much I couldn’t believe it!

  31. Heidi on February 2, 2012 at 1:12 am

    My daughter is reading Candymaker and she loves it! We are also reading Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life together – we love it! My youngest daughter has asked me “why am I here? What is my purpose?” since she was very young (she is a 3rd grader now) This book is fantastic. Thanks for your wonderful writing.

  32. Elisabeth on February 12, 2012 at 1:20 pm

    I LOVE YOU WNDY MASS, I AM YOUR BIGGEST FAN IN VERMONT!!!!

  33. Clara on February 12, 2012 at 11:13 pm

    Dear Mrs.Mass,
    Firstly, I just read The Candy makers and I LOVED it. It was completely amazing and I loved the format where you switched point of views of the character. Secondly,I’m doing a school project on it and I am doing a section where I research the author and I was wondering:What are some of the ups and downs of your life. It would mean the WORLD to me if you reply to this.
    Sincerely,
    Clara
    P.S. I’ll be checking everyday on your blog for the reply.

    NOTE FROM WENDY: HI CLARA, TOO MANY TO COUNT IN THIS ROLLER COASTER WE CALL LIFE, BUT HEY, I’LL GIVE IT A SHOT. :O) UPS ARE PLAYING WITH MY KIDS AND TALKING WITH KIDS ABOUT BOOKS AND WRITING. DOWNS ARE WHEN MY HOUSE FLOODED AND BOOK DEADLINES. THOSE ARE JUST A FEW :O)

  34. Rachel on February 17, 2012 at 9:58 pm

    Hi Wendy! I know you may have been working a lot and not enough time to do all of these people’s requests but this one would mean the world to me if you did it… make a candymakers series. Each chapter is so suspenseful and at the end it kind of left me hanging but not in a bad way!!!!!! Maybe make a rival candy factory or tell more about daisy’s Job! This would just make me happy cry if you did! I just LOVED!!!!!!ξŒͺξŒ­ξŒ¨ξŒ¬ξŒ§ξ€’ξŒ«ξŒ¨ξŒ­ξŒ¬ξŒ§ξŒ§ξŒ«ξŒ¨ξŒͺξŒͺξŒͺξ€’ξ€’ξŒ¨ξŒ­ξ€’ξ€’ξŒ¨ξŒ­ξŒͺξŒͺξŒ¬ξŒ¬ξŒ§ξŒ§ξŒ¬ξŒ«ξŒ­ξ€’ξ€’ξ€’ξŒ­ξŒ­ξŒ¬ξŒ§ξŒ«ξŒ¨ξŒ­ξŒͺξŒ­ξŒ¨ξŒ«ξ€’ξŒ§ξŒ¬ξŒ§ξ€’ξŒ«ξŒ¨ξŒͺξŒ­ξŒ«ξ€’ξŒ§ξŒ§ξŒ¬ξŒ§ξŒ§ξŒ«ξŒ­ξŒͺξŒͺξŒ¨ξŒ¨ξŒ«ξ€’ξŒ§ξŒ¬ξŒ¬ξŒ§ξŒ§ξŒ«ξŒ¨ξŒ­ξŒͺξŒͺξŒͺξŒ­ξ€’ξ€’ξ€’ξ€’ξŒ«ξŒ­ξŒ­ the candymars book! WOW!
    -Your REAL  fan,
    Rachel (11)
    (please say something back! Thank you soooo much for writing and i hope you enjoy it as much as I LOVE reading it!!! Keep on being creative and using your imagination!)

    NOTE FROM WENDY: HI RACHEL! SO GLAD YOU LIKED IT! THERE MAY WELL BE A CANDYMAKERS SEQUEL ONE DAY…BUT I HAVEN’T REALLY FIGURED OUT WHAT IT WOULD BE ABOUT–THE RIVAL FACTORY IS A GOOD IDEA! I’LL POST ABOUT IT AS SOON AS I FIGURE IT OUT! :O)

  35. Michael on February 19, 2012 at 9:48 am

    I L-O-V-E the book The Candymakers!!! It is my favorite book!!!!!!!!!Have you ever made any of the candies from in the book?because the bee happy sounds pretty good(the other candies do too,of course).thanks for writing such a great book!!!!!!!!!!

    sincerely,
    Michael- 4th grade

    NOTE FROM WENDY: I HAVEN’T MADE THE CANDY (IT’S BEST THAT I STAY AWAY FROM THE KITCHEN!), BUT I THINK I’D LIKE ALL OF THEM (EXCEPT MAYBE FOR DAISY’S!!)

  36. Abby on February 23, 2012 at 6:54 pm

    I LOVE the CandyMakers!!! My Favorite one yet, i hope they come out with the movie soon i will totally be there!!!

    From,
    Abby 6th Grader

  37. Emily on February 28, 2012 at 4:53 pm

    Dear Wendy,
    A about a month ago, my friend Gavin bought The CandyMakers from our school book fair. As soon as I found out he’d bought a Wendy Mass book (that I haven’t read yet,) I was the first one to sign my name on the list to read it. Other than my teacher, ofcourse, who loves your books nearly as much as I do. So yesterday I finally got the book. I’m all ready on part 3, Daisy. though. I would never have guessed that! I can’t wait to get to the part about Philip, though, either. What does he mean by, “Maybe someday my Father will rule the world”? SO wied!! Anyways, I hope you have a happy Easter. (Is it too early to say that?) =) =) I
    I’ll let ya know what I think of the book when I’m done.
    From,
    Emily 4th-grader

    P.S. I love the 11 Birthdays series. After The CandyMakers, I’m definetley going to read The Soul A Star one!

    • Wendy Mass on December 10, 2022 at 2:34 pm

      Thanks so much for the book love (and to your teacher! :o). I hope you see this and know that I appreciated this note. Hope you’ve been well, and all my best wishes! Wendy

  38. Elaine on February 28, 2012 at 8:41 pm

    Your my favorite author ever!!!

  39. Ruby on March 7, 2012 at 6:59 pm

    My name is ruby and 12 years old…Ok. I am in luv with your books. i have read every soul a star and i turned it in for a summer reading project and i got an A and now my teacher is reading it and she says she can’t put it down… even when we come into class she is at her desk reading it i also love how u wrote it with 3 chapters in each chapter like from everyones point of view!! oh and i love 11 birthdays and 12 finally and 13 gifts and i really think 14 wishes is a great new title for your next book!!!!!!!! i am totally your biggest and greatest fan in maryland u r my favorite writer and for some reason i can’t put ur books down!!!!! (: haha sooo pleaseeeeeee respond 2 meeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (:

    Luv, Ruby

    Note from wendy: Ruby, you can pretend the Ruby from 11 Birthdays is in honor of you, if you like! (although i bet you’re nicer!! ;o)

  40. Liora on March 16, 2012 at 10:25 pm

    I just finished The Candymakers. I cannot BELIEVE how good it was. The funny thing is, is that I don’t really get that much candy at my house. And ever since I started reading that book, It’s been me getting candy all week. That book has CANDY POWERS! πŸ™‚ I <3
    CANDY

    NOTE FROM WENDY: Candy powers!! love that!! If only!!!

  41. Madison on March 18, 2012 at 2:47 pm

    Hi Mrs.Mass, I am 9 years old and live in Texas. The CandyMakers is my favorite book I’ve EVER read! I think you should make a Candymakers2! Your books are sooooo good! I would read them all day!! You are the best author EVER!!

    Love,
    Madison

  42. Olive on March 25, 2012 at 2:17 pm

    I just finished reading The Candymakers about 20 minutes ago, and I LOVED IT! You described all of the Candy in such detail, that I couldn’t be reading it without eating a piece of chocolate! The whole time, it was like I was in the room with all the characters…and they were telling me their secret story. I am your absolute #1 fan, and I still recommend your books to everyone! You are such a great writer, that I was once picturing a scene from one of your books, and I was trying to figure out what movie that was…and it wasn’t even a movie!
    When someone asks me who my favourite author is, there is absolutely no hesitation before saying your name!
    From your absolute #1 fan!

    NOTE FROM WENDY: I love that about the movie thing! That’s so funny (and very flattering!!). I ate a lot of candy while writing that book, so it’s only fair that you eat some when you read it! Thank you for all the kind words, you’re swell!! :o)

  43. Danna on April 1, 2012 at 1:31 pm

    I loved the book Candymaker!!!!!!!!!! Every 15 seconds you would find me looking throught it! My BFF, G introduced you’re books to me.
    I also love and have 11 Birthdays, 12 Finally, and 13 Wishes.
    The next books I’m planning to read is Jermy Fink and the Meaning of Life.

    can’t wait to see the next book of 14 parties! (or something like that)

  44. Blake on April 13, 2012 at 9:13 pm

    This is such a good book. On a scale of 1-10 I would rate it a 1,000,000. As soon as I read the first page I instantly fell in love in the book. Wendy has done it again. Keep up the good work.

  45. yadira on June 19, 2012 at 1:38 pm

    you are my favorite author wendy!!!!!!!!!!
    this book is amazing, when i started reading the first page i couldn’t stop reading!
    i love reading any book, specially your books… my shelf isn’t missing one of youre books i can’t wait for any new book.
    you are the best wendy.

  46. Emma on June 25, 2012 at 1:47 pm

    I got this book as a present and read it in three days because i loved it so much!! I loved all the points of veiw and it totally deserves to be on the best sellers list!!

  47. Willow on December 13, 2012 at 10:54 pm

    When i read this book i felt like i actually fell into it. I am one of the bookworms in my class. Last year my teacher asked me to bring home some books because i had so many at school. This book was sooooooooooooooooooo good! I like how you showed what each character was saying. Even though it was long i finished it in less then a week. I only read a book like that when its really really really REALLY good. It was so good that i cried over it. Not over sadness, but over happiness. You have really inspired me Wendy Mass.

    NOTE FROM WENDY: You are sooo sweet!!! That means a lot to me. Have a wonderful holiday!!! hugs!!

  48. summer10 on April 1, 2013 at 1:53 pm

    im 10 yrs old and iv spent most of my money buying your books .you are so inspirational i would die to meet you .every night i read more of your books you are amazing!

  49. summer10 on April 1, 2013 at 1:55 pm

    i just finished The Candy makers. AMAZING:)!

  50. summer10 on April 1, 2013 at 2:01 pm

    wendy, i would like u to know u mean a lot to me i mean not just your books but i wanna be like u when i grow up.you are the best auther ever and every time i finish one of your books i burst into tears of joy.Especially over jeremy fink .TRICK QUESTION:what is the meaning of life?

    NOTE FROM WENDY: You’re the best! Hmmm…meaning of life, eh? I’d say to read the book but you’ve already done that! πŸ˜‰ So I guess i’d say it’s to find meaning in your own life, so it’s different for everyone…either that or it’s what’s in Jeremy’s box. ;o)

  51. Neha on April 29, 2013 at 12:54 pm

    That is great! you really deserve it! You are my favorite author and i LOVE that candymakers!

  52. Adam on June 30, 2013 at 1:08 pm

    WOW! is all I have to say. Not once in my life have I ever read a book that creative, well written and easy to understand book.

  53. Emma Cohen on October 13, 2013 at 7:43 pm

    I love that book! You are my favorite author ever! I am hoping to read all of your books!

  54. A Fan on October 16, 2017 at 10:52 pm

    I’m Naomi. I am a sixth grader and I LOVE LOVE LOVE your books! My favorites are The Candymakers and Pi in the Sky. My favorite book of all the books I’ve read is the Candymakers! I hope you make a third book! Congrats on making the list!

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