The Candymakers

The Candymakers

By: Wendy Mass

Reviewed by: Madeline S.

The book The Candymakers by Wendy Mass is unique because there are five different sections in the book, each one told by a different main character. The first four sections are actually the same events but as seen from the perspective of each character. As you read farther into the book you learn more about each character and what really happened to them. I think that Mass’s style brings you close to the story because she tells it through an all-knowing narrator that can see into all of the main characters’ thoughts in turn. I personally think that this book is good for anyone 6+ who likes a book that keeps you on your toes and who likes a good mystery. The plot will keep you guessing and wanting to read more.

This book opens with a boy waking up to the smell of sweet cotton candy. His name is Logan Sweet. He is the son of a famous candymaker who runs a factory called Life Is Sweet. Logan has been accepted to compete in the Annual New Candy Contest, which is only for 12 year olds. The contestants have to make a candy, the judges then taste the candy and read what ingredients were used. The judges decide which candy is the best; that candy will be sold all over the country in lots of candy stores. Logan is very excited to compete but also nervous because his grandfather and father previously won. He feels like he has to prove that he can also be a great candy maker by winning the contest. This year his dad’s factory, Life is Sweet, is hosting some of the contestants; their names are Miles O’Leary, Philip Ransford III, and Daisy Carpenter. On the first day, Logan greets the others at the door, and then Max, one of the workers, gives them a tour of the factory. Daisy is super cheerful and awed by the factory, Miles is very quiet and his favorite part is the factory library, but Philip wants to start making candy right away and is very rude when they don’t. Finally they are introduced to the candy lab where they will be making their candy for the contest. The contest is just two days away. Will they all make good candies? Who will win? Will it be one of them or one of the other 28 contestants?

I really enjoyed the mystery that is present throughout the book. There are some surprising twists and turns in the plot that keep you guessing what is coming next. Mass makes this story fun to read because she tells the same events through each character’s eyes — it is amazing how much more you learn about the same event when you see it through every character’s point of view!