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The Chocolate War
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The Chocolate War
Author: Robert Cormier

Book Information
Publisher: Laurel Leaf
Book Type: Paperback
Rating:

ISBN-13: 9780440944591 - ISBN-10: 0440944597
Pages: 272
Reading Level: Young Adult


Other Versions of this Book: Hardcover, Paperback, Hardcover, Audio Cassette (Unabridged)

Book Description:
Stunned by his mother's recent death and appalled by the way his father sleepwalks through life, Jerry Renault, a New England high school student, ponders the poster in his locker-Do I dare disturb the universe?

Part of his universe is Archie Costello, leader of a secret school society-the Virgils-and master of intimidation. Archie himself is intimidated by a cool, ambitious teacher into having the Virgils spearhead the annual fund-raising event-a chocolate sale. When Jerry refuses to be bullied into selling chocolates, he becomes a hero, but his defiance is a threat to Archie, the Virgils, and the school. In the inevitable showdown, Archie's skill at intimidation turns Jerry from hero to outcast, to victim, leaving him alone and terribly vulnerable.

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MonsterThe OutsidersThe GiverBeyond the Chocolate WarI Am the Cheese


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Top Member Book Reviews

Jennifer W. (GeniusJen) wrote on 1/4/2008...

2 member(s) found this review helpful.

Reviewed by Taylor Rector for TeensReadToo.com

This is a horrifying story about a boy's school where there is literally a chocolate war.

A secret society of boys, which the administration has always turned their back on, takes over a school chocolate sale. The boys are all asked to sell fifty boxes at two dollars apiece instead of the normal twenty-five at a dollar. And the leader of the secret society is one of the students who is pushing the sale. And he tells one student to refuse to sell the chocolate for ten days, but on the eleventh he is to take them. And he doesn't.

This book is interesting, and has a lot of twists and turns. I can see why a lot of schools use this book to teach with. There are a lot of moral lessons and many things that can be learned. I enjoyed reading this, and would recommend it to anyone who has ever had bully problems.

MichelleBInGa wrote on 1/9/2008...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

I did not think some of the thoughts, language used in this book were appropriate for my children.

Katrina C. (KatMarie) wrote on 12/10/2006...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

I was so disappointed in this book, after hearing from so many that it was great. It has a terrible message for teens - Stand up for what you believe in, and you'll just get smashed back down. Well written as to writing style, but horrible ending ruins it.

Kate W. wrote on 12/29/2005...

1 member(s) found this review helpful.

A secret school society picks on Jerry Renault, who refuses to be bullied. He soon becomes a hero, then an outcast and victim. A moving story.


Please Rate these Book Reviews

Nancy A. (Chocoholic) wrote on 4/6/2009...


I hated this book! I only made it through the first 40 pages, and then got so turned off that I had to quit reading it. The characters don't seem realistic....teachers seem to be subservient to a "secret" student organization. The supposed "bad guy" wasn't realistic. Not very good writing, in my opinion.

Pam C. (decafaholic) wrote on 1/4/2009...


disturbing on the level of "Lord of the Flies."

Carla B. (puppyluv) wrote on 4/9/2007...


Annotation
A high school freshman discovers the devastating consequences of refusing to join in the school's annual fund raising drive and arousing the wrath of the school bullies.

Tamar C. wrote on 12/2/2006...


"Jerry Renault is pondering the question on the poster in his locker: Do I dare disturb the universe?
Refusing to sell chocolates in the annual Trinity School fund-raiser may not seem like a radical thing to do. But when Jerry challenges a secret school society called the Vigils, his defiant act turns into an all-out war. Now the only question is: Who will survive?

Suspenseful and great for pre-teens!

Lindsay M. (theresacowinmypants) wrote on 6/19/2006...


Loathed it with a vengeance. Have fun.

Kerrie B. wrote on 3/29/2006...


This is a classic teenager novel- Cormier is one of the very best.

Jessica Gabrielle B. wrote on 3/3/2006...


Loved this book!


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