The Candymakers

Wendy Mass

The Candymakers

Wendy Mass
36 pages1-hour read
Fiction
Novel
Middle Grade
Published in 2010

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Character List

Meet the key characters, with insights into their roles, motivations, and relationships—spoiler-free.

Major Characters

Logan is the twelve-year-old son of the Candymaker and has lived his entire life inside the Life is Sweet factory. He possesses mysterious burn scars across his body, though he maintains a positive outlook and rarely considers his physical appearance. He aspires to invent the "Bubbletastic Choco-Rocket" and work in the Tropical Room, yet he deeply doubts his own candy-making abilities. Despite his sheltered upbringing, he is big-hearted and eager to welcome the other contestants.

Key Relationships

Son of Logan's Mom

Friend of Miles

Fellow Competitor of Daisy

Fellow Competitor of Philip

Mentee of Henry

Friend of Max

Miles is a cautious twelve-year-old boy whose life is ruled by intense fear and anxiety. After witnessing what he believed was a girl drowning in a lake, he developed severe phobias of everyday objects like rowboats, pancakes, and the color pink. He constantly worries about fatal accidents, searching for signs in random book passages to help him cope. To soothe his mind, he frequently daydreams about a peaceful afterlife.

Key Relationships

Son of Miles's Father

Son of Miles's Mother

Friend of Logan

Fellow Competitor of Daisy

Fellow Competitor of Philip

Daisy presents herself as a cheery, fun-loving twelve-year-old girl entering the candy-making competition. Beneath her upbeat exterior, she possesses unusual physical strength and harbors secret motives connected to her family's line of work. Raised by highly successful parents, she strives to meet their strict expectations while secretly longing for genuine connections with kids her own age.

Key Relationships

Daughter of Daisy's Parents

Ward of AJ

Fellow Competitor of Logan

Fellow Competitor of Miles

Fellow Competitor of Philip

Philip is a twelve-year-old competitor who arrives at the factory with an arrogant attitude and a clear desire to keep others at arm's length. He refuses to eat chocolate pizza with the group and constantly scribbles in a private notebook. Driven by a long-held grudge against Logan and a desire to impress his wealthy businessman father, Philip views the competition as a means to an end. He secretly suppresses his true passion for music to avoid his father's disapproval.

Key Relationships

Son of Philip's Father

Passenger of Reggie

Rival of Logan

Fellow Competitor of Miles

Fellow Competitor of Daisy

Acquaintance of Henry

Supporting Characters

The Candymaker is Logan's father and the proud owner of the Life is Sweet candy factory. He is a warm, trusting man who treats his employees like family and takes great pride in his craft. He places a strong emphasis on kindness and creativity, establishing a supportive environment for the four young competitors.

Key Relationships

Father of Logan

Husband of Logan's Mom

Logan's Mom is a nurturing presence at the Life is Sweet factory. She cooks for the boys when they visit Logan's home and frequently writes encouraging, philosophical notes for her son. She is deeply protective of Logan, carefully sheltering him from a world she fears might treat him differently because of his appearance.

Key Relationships

Mother of Logan

Henry is the elderly marshmallow maker at Life is Sweet. He serves as a grandfather figure to Logan, offering wisdom and reassurance when the boy doubts his abilities. Henry is observant and empathetic, quickly noticing the hidden pain behind Philip's abrasive exterior.

Key Relationships

Mentor to Logan

Acquaintance of Philip

Max is the primary tour guide at the Life is Sweet factory. He explains the equipment and the rules of the competition to the young participants. He maintains a lighthearted, friendly atmosphere while ensuring the children respect the factory's machinery.

Key Relationships

Friend of Logan

Philip's Father is a wealthy, demanding businessman who values profit and power above all else. He teaches his son to be ruthless and views artistic pursuits as a waste of time. He holds ulterior motives regarding the Life is Sweet factory and pressures Philip to win the competition.

Key Relationships

Father of Philip

Employer of Reggie

Reggie is the personal driver for Philip's father. Unlike his employer, Reggie possesses emotional intelligence and acts as a grounding force for Philip. He understands Philip's secret interests and tries to guide the boy away from his father's toxic influence.

Key Relationships

Driver for Philip

Employee of Philip's Father

AJ is a teenager tasked with monitoring Daisy while her parents are away. He provides her with logistical support and instructions during her time at the factory. Though he frequently annoys Daisy, he remains a consistent presence in her daily activities.

Key Relationships

Handler for Daisy

Miles's Father is a supportive parent who wants to see his son overcome his crippling anxieties. He encourages Miles to participate in the candy contest, hoping the experience will help him process his trauma and move forward.

Key Relationships

Father of Miles

Miles's Mother supports her son's entry into the competition. She handles the practical aspects of getting him to the factory, sharing in the family's hope that the experience will be positive for him.

Key Relationships

Mother of Miles

Daisy's Parents are highly skilled professionals who travel frequently for their work. Their intense careers set a demanding standard for Daisy, who idolizes them and shapes her own behavior to earn their respect.

Key Relationships

Parents of Daisy