Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson, MD, is an inspirational advice book on how people and businesses can respond to changing times and situations by learning how to adapt quickly and successfully. The book centers on a parable about two mice and two people who live in a maze and search for cheese—the things each wants in life—and what happens when the cheese they’ve been enjoying disappears.

Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson receives mixed reviews. Some readers appreciate its simple yet impactful message about embracing change and its easy-to-read format. However, others critique it for being overly simplistic and lacking depth. The book's allegorical approach is praised by some but seen as repetitive by others.

A reader who enjoys Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson likely thrives on personal development and easily digestible life lessons, similar to fans of Stephen Covey's The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and Dale Carnegie's How to Win Friends and Influence People. They seek practical guidance for navigating change and achieving success.

Inspirational / Informative / Hopeful / Contemplative

- Who Moved My Cheese? has been translated into 37 languages, making it accessible to a global audience who are interested in its motivational concepts.
- The book became a bestseller, remaining on the New York Times Bestseller list for almost five years after its release.
- Spencer Johnson, the author of Who Moved My Cheese?, was also a medical doctor, which uniquely influenced his approach to writing about change and personal development.

**Sniff**  
A mouse living in a Maze who constantly searches for cheese by sniffing out new opportunities, representing a proactive approach to change.

**Scurry**  
Another mouse in the Maze who, alongside Sniff, searches for cheese and quickly moves on when it disappears, embodying swift adaptability.

**Hem**  
One of the Littlepeople in the Maze who struggles with change and becomes frustrated when the cheese disappears, reflecting a reluctance to adapt.

**Haw**  
The other Littleperson who, unlike Hem, eventually decides to search for new cheese, symbolizing the capacity for change and problem-solving.

**Littlepeople**  
The small human-like characters in the story who face big challenges in the Maze, serving as an allegory for human behaviors and mindsets.

**Michael**  
A classmate at a school reunion who shares the story of the Cheese, representing a conduit for conveying the story's insights.

**The Classmates**  
A group attending a school reunion who listen to the Cheese story and discuss its application to their lives, illustrating collective learning and adaptation.

Spencer Johnson

Adult

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Who Moved My Cheese?

Nonfiction

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Study Guide

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Before You Read

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Overview

Get ready to explore Who Moved My Cheese? and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

Who Moved My Cheese? Summary and Study Guide

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Introduction-Chapter 3

Who Moved My Cheese? Introduction-Chapter 3 Summary & Analysis

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Key Figures

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Themes

Who Moved My Cheese? Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Who Moved My Cheese? Symbols & Motifs

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Important Quotes

Who Moved My Cheese? Important Quotes

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Essay Topics

Who Moved My Cheese? Essay Topics

Who Moved My Cheese? Teaching Unit

Introduction

Who Moved My Cheese? Teacher Introduction

Before Reading

Reading Context

Who Moved My Cheese? Reading Context

During Reading

Reading Questions & Paired Texts

Who Moved My Cheese? Reading Questions & Paired Texts

Answer Key

Who Moved My Cheese? Reading Questions Answer Key

After Reading

Discussion/Analysis Prompt

Who Moved My Cheese? Discussion/Analysis Prompt

Activity

Who Moved My Cheese? Activity

Essay Questions

Who Moved My Cheese? Essay Questions

Exam Questions

Who Moved My Cheese? Cumulative Exam Questions

Exam Answer Key

Who Moved My Cheese? Exam Answer Key

Who Moved My Cheese?

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read Who Moved My Cheese??

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Book Details