The Chocolate War

By Robert Cormier
Genre: Literary Fiction

Common Sense Media says

A kind of "Dangerous Liaisons" for teenagers.

Age

Quality

Educational value3
This book helps teen readers examine some of life's hardest questions, posing moral issues in a way that are guaranteed to start conversations.
Positive messages3
This book forces readers to face the reality of evil, and examine how to confront it. The effect is powerful and it lingers long after the book is shut and sitting on the shelf.
Positive role models2
Is Jerry a hero? A scapegoat? Is his act of defiance negative or positive? The dilemma posed by the actions of the characters have good and poor role models. The Vigils order boys to vandalize a classroom and defy teachers. Abully steals gas, and forces a student to buy cigarettes. Brother Leondeliberately embarrasses students, hits one student with a pointer,ignores violence, and encourages the Vigils.
Violence3
Fight scenes realistically and graphically described.

Sex3
Several frank references to masturbation and to boys' fantasies about girls.
Language3
Conversations between teenage boys contain frequent use of moderate, and occasional extreme, sexual, bathroom, and religiously themed profanity.
Consumerism0
Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking0
Not applicable.

Expand to see more details

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that The Chocolate War remains one of the best books for teens when it comes to examining moral issues. The intensity of emotion will challenge readers to form opinions and engage. It's brilliantly written and examines some serious moral problems that are very age-appropriate and relevant for teens. This is a book for teens who don't require a happy ending with everything tied up in a neat little package.

What's the story?

When high school teen Jerry Renault refuses to sell chocolate during his school fundraiser, his decision kicks off a stream of events that cause the school to unravel. Is he a hero or a scapegoat? The school divides on the subject. The book has some terrifying characters including a vicious student and the corrupt temporary headmaster who controls the school, targeting freshman Jerry Renault when he quietly resists them. With the whole school against him, Jerry stands alone. The book raises deep questions of good, evil, independence, and compliance. All serious grist for a developing teen's mill. This dark, disturbing novel towers as one of the true classics of Young Adult Literature.

Is it any good?

This book, deals with life's cruelty, and deals with complex issues with intensity. Evil in all its ugliness pervades the story, which Robert Cormier sets in a private Catholic school, presenting evil as something that can invade even our own protected lives.

Only a few villains cause all the mayhem, and the book exposes them early. However, Cormier won't spare us from life's nasty truths. Readers might wonder, "Would any of us have done better, or would we make the same easy compromises as Cormier's characters?" For that reason, this book remains relevant: It forces readers to face the reality of evil, and examine how to confront it.

Explore, discuss, enjoy

Families can talk about the significance of the quote on a poster in Jerry's locker -- "Dare I disturb the universe?" -- and how it relates to the book as a whole.
What take-away do your teens have about whether Jerry's actions are positive or negative?
If you wantedto "disturb the universe" in your own way, how would you do it?
Who arethe most powerful characters in Cormier's book?
What does that sayabout the very nature of power itself?

More details

Author:	Robert Cormier
Book type:	Fiction
Genre:	Literary Fiction
Publication date:	January 1, 1974
Number of pages:	272
Publisher's recommended age(s):	12 - 14

This review of The Chocolate War was written by Monica Wyatt

Age

Based on 16 parent & educator reviews:

56% say language is an issue
56% say sexual content is an issue
44% say violence is an issue

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Most useful reviews by all members

Adult

April 9, 2008

Pause for kids & under

A very interesting but chilling story!

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moviegeek

Teen, 15 years old

April 9, 2008

OK for kids & up

Wow..........

This is one of those books, that after you finish it and set it down, you have to sit awhile and think. It leaves you thinking "Wow...." and really has a good message behind all of the bad stuff that the kids do. One kid stood up to everything and everyone. Because he knew that he was right. This is an incredibly well-written novel and is a must-read for any teenager.

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fr0stedshad0w

Adult

April 9, 2008

Pause for kids & under

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tbajus21

Teen, 15 years old

April 9, 2008

OK for kids & up

it was sweet

The book was amazing. A teenager doing funny things is awesome and it was the best book i have ever read.

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jerryoish

Teen, 14 years old

February 13, 2011

OK for kids & up

for any readers

I love it. It is a top-notch book. The tone was dismal, bitter and hopeless at the end. But I'm glad to have read a book such as this and I am going to read Beyond The Chocolate War.

What other families should know

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summer.rose101

Teen, 16 years old

April 11, 2010

Pause for kids & under

11th grade review

I'm 16 years old and I had to read it in my 11th grade class. Obviously our class is fine with the use of language and such, but for younger kids from primary to maybe year 9 this is an inappropriate book. It has frequent sexual terms that younger kids certainly wouldn't understand and their parents may not be happy with the language in the book. Though our class enjoyed reading it as it also had positive messages about standing up to bullies and believing in yourself and not letting others push you around.

What other families should know

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sabrina1234

Parent of 10 year old

April 18, 2010

Not for kids & under

i hate it toooo sexual

What other families should know

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flreview

Teen, 17 years old

March 10, 2010

Pause for kids & under

The chocolate war may not be appropriate for many children. I am 17 years old, and I could handle the book, but many young children who have not been exposed to some of the sexual material and langusge may not feel comfortable. On the plus side, it is very well written, and does teach to stand up for what you believe in. But mainly, if you're not comfortable with the material then don't read it, it is a choice. If you are a parent with younger kids, then I would advise reading it before your children so that you can decide if it is appropriate for them.

What other families should know

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kissleb

Parent of 13 year old

February 24, 2010

OK for kids & up

An 8th grade review

We enjoyed the beginning and middle, but the end was a disappointment. This book should be read in school or at home when discussions can be had and content explained.

What other families should know

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inspiredby

Parent of 4, 8, 10, 12, and 15 year old

February 24, 2010

Pause for kids & under

For Adults not children

Well written but way too much language. I wouldn't want my children to read this.

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The Chocolate War

Common Sense Media says

What parents need to know

What's the story?

Is it any good?

Explore, discuss, enjoy

Most useful reviews by all members

A very interesting but chilling story!

Wow..........

it was sweet

for any readers

11th grade review

An 8th grade review

For Adults not children

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry

Stranger With My Face

Hatchet