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The Candymakers
Last updated Thursday, November 30, 2017
Author: Wendy Mass
Date of Publication: 2015
ISBN: 0316264997
Grade Level: 5th (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Dec. 2017
Synopsis:
In the town of Spring Haven, four children have been selected to compete in the national candymaking contest of a lifetime. Who will make 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 feel alone?
Miles, the boy allergic to rowboats and the color pink?
Daisy, the cheerful girl who can lift a fifty-pound lump of taffy as if it were a feather?
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.
| Note to readers: |
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This book is divided into 5 sections. Each section is the story from the perspective of one of the characters.
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Begin on page 337.
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Story summary: 4 kids are chosen to compete in a candy making competition. They are invited to the Life is Sweet candy factory to learn about candy making. Each contestant has their own motivations for wanting to compete in the competition. The four contestants are Miles, Logan, the candymakers son, Daisy, who is a spy, and Philip whose father wants to take over the factory. In the final section the truth comes about why everyone is there.
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| Discussion topics for before reading: |
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What is your favorite candy?
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How do you think candy is made?
Vocabulary
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Dire - very bad
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Contestants - a person who takes part in a contest
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Sabotage - the act of destroying or damaging something deliberately
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Conceded - to admit something usually in an unwilling way
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Rigorous - very strict and demanding
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Redeeming - making a bad or unpleasant thing or person better or more acceptable
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Sheepishly - showing or feeling embarrassment
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Premises - a building and the area of land that it is on
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| Discussion topics for during/after reading: |
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What were Daisy and Philip trying to steal?
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Do you think Logan, Daisy, Miles and Philip can come up with the winning candy?
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What are your favorite candy ingredients?
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Can you think of another book that takes place in a candy factory? (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory)
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| Craft ideas: |
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Design your own candy and draw a picture of it. Describe the name, what is in it, and what it tastes like.
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Make a Christmas card for your teacher! (or someone in your family or for a friend.)
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Check our craft ideas for on Pinterest!
https://www.pinterest.com/readingtokids/december-2017-crafts/
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| Special activities: |
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Sing Christmas carols.
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*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions.
You can use them, but you don't have to use them.
You can expand upon them, or add your own twist.
Remember, though, that the focus of your time should
not be on the development and execution of a craft;
the focus should be on the read-aloud and the
enjoyment of the book!
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