The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier tells the story of Jerry Renault, a freshman at Trinity, a small, private, tradition-oriented high school. Jerry must navigate the pressures of conforming to the school and his classmates while challenging authority and upholding his own values. The book is filled with suspense as readers follow Jerry's decisions and challenges, offering relatable characters for young readers through their anxieties and desires.
The novel delves into the dark and brutal nature of teenagers, focusing on Jerry Renault's struggles at Trinity Catholic High School amidst a gang of upperclassmen called The Vigils. The book presents unexpected twists and turns, revealing the animalistic nature of children and the complex power dynamics within the school setting, leading to a controversial yet thought-provoking narrative.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings for The Chocolate War include high levels of bullying, emotional and physical violence, manipulation, and themes of suicide and depression.
From The Publisher:
One of the most controversial YA novels of all time, The Chocolate War is a modern masterpiece that speaks to fans of S. E. Hinton's The Outsiders and John Knowles's A Separate Peace.
After suffering rejection from seven major publishers, The Chocolate War made its debut in 1974, and quickly became a bestselling-and provocative-classic for young adults. This chilling portrait of an all-boys prep school casts an unflinching eye on the pitfalls of conformity and corruption in our most elite cultural institutions.
"Masterfully structured and rich in theme; the action is well crafted, well timed, suspenseful."-The New York Times Book Review
"The characterizations of all the boys are superb."-School Library Journal, starred review
"Compellingly immediate. . . . Readers will respect the uncompromising ending."-Kirkus Reviews, starred review
An ALA Best Book for Young Adults
A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
A Kirkus Reviews Editor's Choice
A New York Times Outstanding Book of the Year
Ratings (5)
Incredible (1) | |
Loved It (2) | |
Liked It (1) | |
Did Not Like (1) |
Reader Stats (15):
Read It (7) | |
Want To Read (5) | |
Not Interested (3) |
1 comment(s)
It's a cruel cruel world out there folks. I read this in one sitting. A disturbingly realistic look at authority and the power of social conformity, corruption, and cruelty
What can you read after
The Chocolate War?
About the Author:
Robert Cormier (1925-2000) changed the face of young adult literature over the course of his illustrious career. His many books include The Chocolate War, I Am the Cheese, Fade, Tenderness, After the First Death, Heroes, Frenchtown Summer, and The Rag and Bone Shop. In 1991 he received the Margaret…
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