The Chocolate War By: Robert Cormier

I chose to read this particular novel because my husband had read it quite a few years ago and said that it was an excellent story. After finishing this novel today, I can say that it does push the limits on what I would find acceptable for a young adult to read. There are some great messages in the book and it is very relateable to young adults, so I can completely understand why this would be a popular choice. The issues that are brought up in the book are matters that everyone can relate to: bullying, sexuality, and doubt.
The main character in the story is a freshman named Jerry. He is a young person struggling to find his own identity. His mother has recently died and he lives in a small apartment with his dad. He doesn't understand his relationship with his father, so they just coexist in the small space together. Jerry is given an assignment by the group of bullies at his all boys Catholic School, the Vigils. Trinity, the Catholic school he attends, has a fundraiser each year selling boxes of chocolate. His assignment is to refuse to sell the boxes for 10 days. When the ten days are up Jerry continues to refuse to sell the chocolates. This starts a war between, Jerry, The Vigils and the headmaster, Brother Leon.
The book is very relateble to young adults, especially young boys. The story is very violent and the language is very blunt and descriptive. At one point a boy claims to be raping a girl with his eyes. I found this to be a bit offensive, but in the context of the book it was understandable. All young boys speak in ways that their mothers wish that they wouldn't and all young boys will face violence in one way or another. We all hope that they won't, but that is the society that we live in. This book is very honest in its writings. Robert Cormier writes at the end of the novel that he had a lot of trouble getting this story published. Many publishers wanted for his to change the language and to create a happy ending to the story. I think that this is what people have come to expect out of young adult novels. Robert Cormier decided to stay true to his novel and waited years for the story to finally be published. He said that while he understands the subject matter is controversial, he felt as though the book had a message that needed to be said. I found this to be a very inspiring note from the author. Though Mr. Cormier passed away several years ago, I am sure that he would be delighted that many young people are still reading his story.