The Candymakers

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Published by: Little, Brown and Co.
Release Date: October 5, 2010
Pages: 464
ISBN13: 978-0316002585

 
Overview

New York Times Best Seller!
Now on the Indie Best Seller List!
Winner of the 2011-2012 National Homeschool Book Award!!

Four children have been chosen to compete in a national competition to create the world’s best new chocolate. Who will invent a candy more delicious than the Oozing Crunchorama or the Neon Yellow 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?

This sweet, charming, and cleverly crafted story, told from each contestant's perspective, is filled with mystery, friendship, and juicy revelations.

The Candymakers is now in President Obama's White House Library!!


Reviews & Awards

The Candymakers is on The Winter 2010/2011 Kids' Indie Next List!

"Welcome to the 'Life is Sweet' Candy Factory where 'Some More S'mores' and 'High-Jumping Jelly Beans' are created and you can have chocolate pizza for lunch! Logan, Daisy, Miles, and Philip each have two days to invent their own candy creation for the Annual Candymaking Contest. But all is not as it seems, as mysterious interconnections are soon revealed. Surprises are around every corner in this truly remarkable story that is sure to make you smile and say, 'Life is sweet!'"
David Mallmann, Next Chapter Bookshop, Mequon, WI

"Mass has crafted a solid mystery dipped in sweet candy-making details. Character development moves a lengthy story forward in smooth increments. As each child’s story emerges, the mystery becomes one bit clearer, making this a real page-turner. The characters are intricate, flawed heroes with whom readers will identify. The book’s subtle message of teamwork over greed and growth through friendship will resonate with readers and educators alike. A magical setting filled with conveyor belts, chocolate jungles, and beehives makes it clear what the youngsters are attempting to save. Give this mouthwatering confection to children who like Trenton Stewart’s The Mysterious Benedict Society (Little, Brown, 2007) and other quirky mysteries."
– School Library Journal

Abby the Librarian compares the plot of The Candymakers to all different kinds of CANDY!

Winner of the Northborough-Southborough (MA) Children's Book Award 2012
Winner of the 2013-2014 Sunshine State Young Readers Book Award!
Winner of the 2012-2013 North Carolina Children's Book Award
Honor book for 2013-2014 Nebraska Golden Sower Intermediate Award
Winner of the 2011-2012 National Homeschool Book Award!!

Nominated for the 2012-2013:
Iowa Children's Choice Award
North Carolina School Library Media Association Young Adult Book Award
Massachusetts Children's Book Award
Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award

Nominated for the 2013-2014:
Connecticut Nutmeg Book Award
Colorado Children's Book Award

New York Times Best Seller!
Now on the Indie Best Seller List!


Video

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