51 pages • 1 hour read
The Chocolate Touch
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Book Brief
128
Novel • Fiction
Small American Town • 1950s
1952
Middle grade
8-12 years
Super Short Summary
In The Chocolate Touch by Patrick Skene Catling, a young boy named John Midas, who loves chocolate, stumbles upon a candy store and buys a box of chocolate with a strange coin. The next day, he discovers that everything he eats turns to chocolate. Initially enjoying this, John soon faces problems as his power disrupts his life, leading to a realization about Personal Choice and Responsibility.
Playful
Humorous
Fantastical
Bittersweet
Adventurous
Reviews & Readership
24,671 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
The Chocolate Touch by Patrick Skene Catling is consistently praised for its imaginative and humorous premise, engaging young readers with a modern twist on the classic Midas myth. Critics highlight its valuable life lessons about greed and moderation. However, some find the narrative simplistic and less compelling for older audiences, noting its predictability. Overall, it's deemed a charming and moralistic tale for children.
Who Should Read The Chocolate Touch?
Readers who enjoyed Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl or Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh will likely appreciate The Chocolate Touch. They are typically 8-12 years old, enjoy whimsical stories with moral lessons, and love imaginative tales with a touch of magic and humor.
24,671 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
The Storekeeper
The Storekeeper
A mysterious figure who runs a magical store and sets John on the path of his extraordinary experience.
Dr. Cranium
Dr. Cranium
An eccentric doctor known for his bald head and gray mustache, who engages with John's unique condition in a superficial manner.
Susan Buttercup
Susan Buttercup
A friend of John's, distinguished by her soft yellow curls and blue eyes, who plays a role in his social circle and experiences.
John's Parents
John's Parents
Depicted as typical parents from the 1950s, involved in conventional roles that provide context to John's family life.
Miss Plimsole
Miss Plimsole
John’s schoolteacher, representative of the education system in the 1950s, characterized by her spectacles and stern demeanor.
Spider Wilson
Spider Wilson
A school bully who appears briefly, showcasing typical bullying behavior and its impact on John.
128
Novel • Fiction
Small American Town • 1950s
1952
Middle grade
8-12 years
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