The Chocolate War

* Bibliographic information
Cormier, R. The Chocolate War. Random House, Inc., 1974. ISBN 0-394-82805-4.

- ALA Best Books for Young Adults
- School Library Journal Best Books of the Year
- A Kirkus Reviews Choice
- New York Times Outstanding Books of the Year


* Plot Summary
Jerry Renault has just started high school and is trying out for the football team. Jerry continues to take blows from the rest of the football team because he wants to be on the team more than anything. Jerry soon realizes that football is not his only worry when the “Vigils” come to him with an “assignment”. The Vigils are the unofficial rulers of the school and Archie is the mastermind behind them. Brother Leon, the acting head of the school even allows the Vigils to do as they want, as long as they help him with his chocolate sale to raise money for the school. Jerry takes the Vigil’s assignment of refusing to sell chocolate even though it angers Brother Leon. Archie gives Jerry a date to start selling the chocolate but when the time come Jerry still refuses. At first Jerry does not understand his own choice but digs in his heels more when the Vigils tell him he must sell the chocolate. In this school, going against the Vigils is unheard of; Jerry must deal with the disturbing consequences that follow.


* Critical Evaluation
This book was originally published in 1974 but has become very popular for positive and negative reasons. This book looks at high school in a gritty light but it shows the truth of what exists on school campuses even today. Even though the book portrays real problems, in a real way, the book still faces many issues. Many people have tried to ban this book because of its language. Real boys do not always use pleasant language; this is why the book is true to the characters, but also why it angers some people. There is also violence and the abnormal ending that make people want to censor it. Most books have a nice ending all wrapped up for the readers; not this one. Not all the characters learn a lesson and the bad guys do not get what is coming to them as in most books about bullies. There is violence in the book and it is overlooked by Brother Leon who is supposed to watch out for the kids and be a man of the cloth. Cormier tells an important story and does it in a way that really opens the reader’s eyes to the issue; he takes the gloves and the blinders off.


* Reader’s Annotation
In a school where the “Vigils” rule by fear and the headmaster supports their every move, Jerry decides to take a stand and go against them all. Jerry soon finds himself alone, pit against the entire school.


* Information about the author
Robert Cormier was born in 1925 and died in 2000 but not before receiving an award for his writing in Young Adult Literature in 1991; the Margaret A. Edwards Award. He lived in Leominster, Massachusetts his entire life; he had a wife and four kids. Cormier wrote for radio and a newspaper for many years in addition to traveling the world speaking at academic engagements. In interviews he claims to be interested in intimidation and manipulation. Cormier wrote many novels; they all showed a darker side of humanity that make some uncomfortable. His books are widely praised and widely challenged. He was an amazing writer who pushed people to think deeply about issues without giving them a happy ending to fall back on. More can be found on this author at Amazon.com, http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/product-description/0440944597/ref=dp_proddesc_0?ie=UTF8&n=283155&s=books; I was not able to find an official website for this author.


* Genre
Teen Fiction; Issues, Bullying


* Curriculum Ties, if any
English:
According to the English–Language Arts Content Standards for California Public Schools, found at http://curriculum.suhsd.k12.ca.us/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=51&Itemid=66, this book would tie into the Literary Response and Analysis part of the curriculum, the student must “Determine characters’ traits by what the characters say about themselves in narration, dialogue, dramatic monologue, and soliloquy” (p.57). This book would be a great addition to a class’ curriculum because it talks about an issue that is so prevalent in high schools. Students could relate to the different characters in the story and the main characters problem. Many students struggle with the decision to be a part of the mainstream or to take a stand and be independent.


* Booktalking Ideas
1) Do you think Jerry made the best choice in continuing to refuse the chocolate sales?
2) What do you think Archie will be doing five years after high school?
3) Discuss the relationship between Obie and Archie, why does Obie continue to do Archie’s bidding when he clearly hates him?
4) Talk about the connection between the death of Jerry’s mother and his need to join the football team and ignore the Vigil’s requests.


* Reading Level/Interest Age
Grade 8 and up/ 14 and up


* Challenge Issues and Defense
Challenge Issues: Language, bullying, violence, Catholic school and teachers being shown in a negative light.

Defense ideas:
1) Ask the patron about the book and issue in question and find out how much they know about the book.
2) Help the patron become more familiar with the book and its content.
3) Show the patron positive reviews for this book, such as ones found on amazon.com; School Library Journal and the New York Times, http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/product-description/0440944597/ref=dp_proddesc_0/189-7670131-2329618?ie=UTF8&n=283155&s=books.
4) If available, introduce the patron to people who have read it in the library or tell the patron what you thought of the book if you have read it.
5) Show the patron the collection development policy for that particular library. For example, the one for the San Diego County library, http://dbpcosdcsgt.co.san-diego.ca.us/screens/Intranet/policy/sdcl-policy_O.41_material-selection.pdf
6) If they still want to file a grievance about the book begin the necessary paperwork by giving them the forms they need to fill out. In the San Diego County system, the grievance will then go to The Challenged Materials Team. If the committee cannot resolve the issue, it then goes to the County Library Director for a final decision. http://dbpcosdcsgt.co.san-diego.ca.us/screens/Intranet/policy/sdcl-policy_O.34_intellectual_freedom.pdf



* Why did you include this book in your titles you selected?
I included this book in my blog because it was recommended to me by a Young Adult Librarian who told me it is one of the books that is frequently challenged; I had to read it. Once I read it, I knew it had to be included because it tells a story that is so common in high schools but is never shown so realistically. The author tells it in a way that is similar to the point of view of a young adult. The language used and the use of multiple characters to portray the issue is very fascinating; it draws the reader in and pushes the situation in their face. There are many books that feature bullies, but there are none with an ending like this book.