John Midas loves chocolate above all else. One day he discovers a mysterious coin, and quickly thereafter, a previously unseen candy shop. Using the magic coin to buy chocolate (what else), John unwittingly begins an adventure. The chocolate he has purchased is quite unusual. Once he’s eaten it, everything he puts into his mouth turns to chocolate. After awhile, these effects amplify, so that anything that his mouth even touches turns to chocolate. While at first John can only see the benefits of having chocolate flavored toothpaste and bacon and eggs, after awhile his special gift begins to cause him problems. But it is when he turns his beloved mother to chocolate that John finally becomes desperate to find a cure. Much like King Midas (of Greek Mythological fame), John learns that his greed can have nasty effects.
This is bound to be a hit with children in the primary grades. For independent reading, it’s likely on level for beginning of the year third graders, with advanced readers being able to tackle it much soon, as it has nothing particularly complicated or mature in it. The chocolate theme is one most children love and the humor in the book keeps the moral light.
Sex, Nudity, Dating – None.
Profanity – None.
Death, Violence and Gore – John threatens to fight someone until he is dead.
Drugs, Alcohol and Smoking – John eats a tube of toothpaste, which while not a drug, would probably warrant a call to poison control.
Frightening or Intense Things – John accidentally turns a person into chocolate.
