The Chocolate War

Cormier, Robert. The Chocolate War. Alfred A. Knopf: 1974. ISBN: 0375829873.

Summary:
Bullying use to be accepted as a right of passage, a part of growing up. The Chocolate War is the story of an all boy Catholic school that uses bullying as classroom management. Father Leon, the assistant headmaster and Math teacher uses his position to his advantage without remorse or concern for the students and their education. A secret student organization known as "The Vigil" operates with his blessing as long as their goals are not at counter purposes with Father Leon. Motivated by financial need the school sells boxes of chocolates each year as a fund raiser. This year the need is greater and students are asked to sell double the usual amount. Jerry Renault a freshman who is trying to find his place in the high school hierarchy is chosen for a Vigil assignment including the chocolates. Jerry finishes the assignment and begins to take a stand for himself against the numbness of life. Once you start reading, putting the book down is not an option.

Evaluation:
This book was written 37 years ago and is just as applicable today. Human suffering and the effects of corrupt leadership are universal themes. When placed in a high school setting they become more upsetting. Full of many different webs, characters become victims, lackeys and aggressors interchangeably. Archie is the main teen aggressor, but also is Father Leon's lackey for the chocolate sale. Archie is at the top of the social ladder because the other boys fear him and are continually hoping and plotting for his downfall. The ending has received a lot of attention because the ending is not neat and tidy and happy. As a young adult novel the ending is very fitting. Life is not neat and tidy and having an ending that is unrealistic would change the validity of the story. Many references are made to masturbation; the author portrays teenage boys as frequently observing the practice. This aspect of the story makes adults uncomfortable and apt to challenge the book.

Reader's Annotation:
Good doesn't always win over evil.

Bibliotherapeutic Uses:
A student who has had a difficult time fitting in at school will benefit from reading this book. Sometimes no matter how hard you try, you just can't fit in. This is not your fault, there is nothing wrong with you! It is important for teens to see that standing up and being true to yourself is valuable even if the outcome is not perfect.

Genre:
Issue Novel/Coming of Age

Why Book Include:
I am interested in young adult literature. Understanding the past history of the genre is important to understanding today's works.