The Candymakers by Wendy Mass is a charming, middle grade mystery.  Channeling a little bit of Willy Wonka, four contestants are invited to a candy factory with a challenge to create a winning new candy. The book is broken into sections, with the same period of time and events being related through the different perspectives of the four main characters:  Logan, Miles, Daisy, and Philip.  This is the vehicle the author uses to set up the mysterious events.  It is also a great way to show middle grade students that everyone’s perspective is different.

This book is heftier than the usual middle grade book, clocking in at 453 pages and it did begin a little slowly.  However, it gains momentum and is not a difficult read.  Fans of all things candy and of mysteries such as The Mysterious Benedict Society will especially like this novel.  A fun concept with endearing and sweet characters!

Content Analysis:

Profanity/Language:  None

Violence/Gore:  Report of injury in accident many years ago; occasional kicking of shins by characters; characters briefly struggle over an item.

Sex/Nudity:  None

Mature Subject Matter:

None

Alcohol / Drug Use:

None