The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier [book]

The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier [book]

[New York] Pantheon Books 1974
Language: English
Paperback: 272 pages
ISBN: 0375829873

Plot Summary:
Jerry Renault starts his freshman year at an all boys prep school that has a secret society of boys that bully and attempt to run the student body (it is called the Vigils). The leader of the Vigils is named Archie and after Jerry joins that football team he is invited into the secret society. Selling chocolate at the school is how they fund raise, and after the head of the school becomes ill, the vice- principal takes over and demands more fundraising efforts. Archie becomes involved in bullying the student body into selling more chocolates and in the process Jerry refuses to participate in the fundraiser starting a "chocolate war".
In the following events, there is a powerful power struggle between the vice- principal and Archie, and Jerry becomes a Parana to his classmates and is bullied because of his actions. Jerry sees the corrupt ideals of the school and maintains one friend, another outcast "the goober". At the end of the book there is a boxing match between Jerry and another boy, with the promised result of getting back his life. Jerry is severely hurt when the fight is shut down, and in the end Archie is caught but absolved when the vice- Principal stands on his behalf and encourages him for next year. This school is also a Catholic school.

Critical Evaluation:
The juxtaposition between a Catholic school and power struggles over chocolate fundraising efforts is very well crafted. There is foul language, but it is used by young men and aids in the novel's gritty themes of unfairness and bullying in a regime that was created by peers. The themes included are that of morals, bullying, corruption and going through adolescence questioning the world around you. The end could be upsetting to some because of the fact that Archie gets away with his behavior, but it also shows that life can be unfair and one must believe in what is right and stay true to themselves.

Reader's Annotation:
When Jerry Renault refuses to participate in school chocolate fund raising, his school becomes divided about what is right, what is wrong and bullying.

Websites to Look Into:
no official website, but this is helpful: http://www.ipl.org/div/askauthor/Cormier.html

The Author:
Fun facts are that he actually did attend a private Catholic school growing up and that even after her achieved fame with his writing he never gave up writing for his local newspaper.

Awards:
An ALA Best Books for Young Adults
A School Library Journal Best Books of the Year
A Kirkus Reviews Choice
A New York Times Outstanding Books of the Year
Margaret A Edwards Award

Similar Books:
"I am the Cheese" by Robert Cormier
"Monster" by Walter Dean Myers

Booktalking Ideas:
Talking about girl scout cookies and how they fund raise/ Handing them out

Genre:
Classics

Interest Age:
13+

Challenge Issues:
Male Sexuality
There are references in the book to arousal and masturbation, but they are not overt and they are part of the life of a teen. I would combat it with the fact that it is not obvious and it is presented in a context to the book that makes sense.

Why this Book?
This book represents a boy's desire to do what he thinks is best, and it divides moral values and intrigues people to think about scapegoats and where their feelings really derive from.