Last updated: July 20, 2026
Are you looking for engaging activities to support your Chocolate Fever unit? You’re in the right place. Below you’ll find teaching ideas, student projects, and novel study samples that pair perfectly with Robert Kimmel Smith’s humorous and imaginative story.
Reading Level
Lexile 680L
Interest Level
Grades 3-5
Length
96 pages
Award
Newbery Honor
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About the Book:
Chocolate Fever tells the story of Henry Green, a young boy who loves chocolate more than anything else in the world. Henry enjoys chocolate in every form — candy bars, cakes, milk, syrup — and he eats it morning, noon, and night. But one day, his obsession takes an unexpected turn when he begins breaking out in chocolate‑colored spots. Doctors are baffled, and Henry soon learns he has developed a strange and surprising condition known as “chocolate fever.”
As Henry tries to escape the growing attention surrounding his unusual illness, he finds himself on a wild adventure through the city. Along the way, he encounters new friends, dangerous situations, and unexpected challenges. Henry must rely on quick thinking, courage, and the kindness of others as he searches for a cure. Through his journey, he learns important lessons about moderation, self‑control, and appreciating balance in life.
With its humorous plot, memorable characters, and relatable themes, Chocolate Fever is a favorite among students. Henry’s misadventures keep readers laughing while also offering meaningful opportunities for discussion about choices, habits, and consequences.
⭐ Book Details
| Publication Date | 1972 |
| Reading Level | Lexile 680L • Scholastic Guided Reading Level O |
| Interest Level | Grades 3–5 |
| Major Awards | Newbery Honor • California Young Reader Medal |
| Length | 96 pages (approx. 29,280 words) |
| Estimated Reading Time | About 1 hour and 57 minutes |
| Audiobook Length | 1 hour, 15 minutes |
| Genre | Humorous Fiction |
| Setting | Henry’s house • School • Hospital • Highway • Alfred Cane’s Warehouse |
| Point of View | Third person omniscient — narrator tells the story; Henry’s thoughts appear in italics beginning in Chapter 6 |
| Themes | Self-Indulgent Behavior • Overindulgence in Chocolate |
| Memorable Quote | “Henry Green was a boy who loved chocolate. He liked it bitter, sweet, dark, light, and daily; for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks; in cakes, candy bars, milk, and every other form you could possibly imagine. Henry probably loved chocolate more than any boy in the history of the world.” |
| First Line | “There are some people who say that Henry Green wasn’t really born, but was hatched, fully grown, from a chocolate bean.” |
Chocolate Fever Teaching Ideas
Book Unit Samples
Grab your novel study samples including vocabulary, comprehension questions, and constructed response writing prompt here.
You can get the book unit sample by clicking the button.
Teaching Idea #1 – Cocoa Bulletin Board
How cute is this! This idea came from 100+ Winter Bulletin Board Ideas.
Teaching Idea #2 – Games
In the “Games and Activities” section at Book Units Teacher, students can play Concentration or Hangman with candy bars photos, and words. I recommend increasing the size of your monitor screen for easier viewing.
A Hershey Kisses online cloze reading activity creates fun results. Students type descriptive words and phrases in the blanks. They then click a button to see their completed stories. Print these for a fun classroom display.
Another link takes students to an article with interesting facts. Students can figure out which chocolate candy bars are the most popular by sales. They can even learn how many licks it takes to get to the center of the Tootsie Pop.
Teaching Idea #3 – Using Vivid Imagery
This free printable is provided for teachers. Students compare two types of chocolate. I love using the Hershey Miniatures. Students eat chocolate while completing the chart. I encourage students to use descriptive phrases. Vivid imagery such as rich creamy texture, mildly sweet, silky smoothness, or crackly crunch works best. Students turn the completed charts into comparison paragraphs.
Teaching Idea #4 – Chocolate Activities
Do you want to keep students excited about learning? Try using the theme of chocolate. Students will love reading books about chocolate. Playing games with a chocolate theme is fun. Eating chocolate is also a must. Check out the newly updated “Chocolate in the Classroom” section of the Book Units Teacher website for ideas.
Teaching Idea #5 – Chocolate Activities
Use the book to discuss the importance of a healthy diet. Discuss the dangers of overindulging in sweets. Encourage students to make healthy food choices. Students can create posters, infographics, or presentations on the importance of a balanced diet.
Use maps to chart Henry’s journey through the city. Students can create a visual representation of the places Henry visits and the route he takes.
See the product that inspired this post.
Chocolate Fever Study includes vocabulary practice, comprehension questions, constructed response writing, and skill practice.
