Wednesday, May 6, 2020

The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier

Title: The Chocolate War
Author: Robert Cormier
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: March 12, 1974

Format: Hardcover
Price: $16.95
Page Count: 264
ISBN-13: 9780394828053

Reading Level: Grades 9 and up (ages 14+)
Interest Level: Grades 9 and up (ages 14+)

Annotation: Jerry refuses to sell chocolates for his school's fundraiser, leading to trouble bigger than he could imagine.

Plot and Content Summary: At Jerry's all-boys Catholic school, a group called "the Vigils" are, not-so-secretly, in charge. Even the teachers know about them and use them to do their dirty work. Lead by Archie Costello, the Vigils create "assignments" (read: pranks) for chosen individual students, and saying "no" is not an option. Jerry is assigned to say "no" to selling chocolates for the school fundraiser—and he does, but things get bad when the jokes end and he continues to say "no." This fundraiser is a big deal to teacher Brother Leon, who threatens Archie to fix it.

Evaluation: The Chocolate War is a book created for discussion. There's a lot to talk about: how bullying is a cycle and no one, not even adults, are exempt; the reality that "bad guys" can win; etc. However, in terms of the storytelling, it was mediocre. We are introduced to a relationship between Jerry and his father, but nothing comes out of it except glances at each other when they both go to pick up the phone from prank callers late at night. We are introduced to Jerry's mother, who died of illness, and Jerry often brings her up, but all those feelings go unaddressed. Perhaps these things are to show us their absence and how this can affect teens' lives, but I personally would've appreciated being in Jerry's head about these things. Even though he's made out to be the main character, we really don't know a lot about him. But maybe that's not the point that Cormier is trying to make with The Chocolate War, and that's fine—it is just my preference. Also, the way teen girls were used as objects for these guys to look at and fantasize about was awful.

Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: This is actually a very hopeless book, revealing the sad realities of our society. Jerry "disturbs the universe" in hopes to break a cycle of bullying, and ends up all beat up. And sometimes, life is like that. Does it mean we go with the flow, even though it's harmful? Something to think about.

Issues Present: Bullying (from both peers and adults), violence, offensive language

The Chocolate War is controversial because, I suspect, that adults don't see a need for books that depict society in such a negative way. However, these things happen in real life. And teens should be aware early on. This can help with and prepare them for the challenges they face. We need to stop sheltering them, because all that does is make them ignorant.

Book Talk Ideas:
  • Why do you think Jerry agrees to the Vigils' assignment?
  • What makes Jerry different than someone like Goober?
  • How are Brother Leon and Archie similar?
  • Why do you think The Chocolate War ends with, what seems like, no resolution?

Genre/Subgenres: Classics; Realistic fiction

Readalikes: The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton; Every Exquisite Thing by Matthew Quick; A Troublesome Boy by Paul Vasey; Winger by Andrew Smith; Shattering Glass by Gail Giles

References
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