The Chocolate War

Cormier, Robert. 2000. THE CHOCOLATE WAR. New York: Random House Children’s Books, 1974.

CHOCOLATE WAR tells the story of Jerry Renault and his daring move not to sell chocolates at the annual school chocolate sale. Jerry, who was assigned by The Vigils to not sell the school’s chocolates, does as he is told for the ten days allotted. However, after the tenth day, when Jerry is supposed to once more begin selling chocolates (and is even told to do so by The Vigils) he continues to refuse out of defiance.

It was hard for me to connect with this story and its characters probably because it seems very much geared toward teenage boys. Also, I am a fan of realism because let’s face—if I want reality I’ll just step outside my front door. The overall tone of the book is very serious. However, taking an objective step back, CHOCOLATE WAR was well-written and I could see why it has stood the test of time. Originally written in 1974, Cormier tackles the subject of bullying in the form of the secret society, the Vigils, and the leader of the pack, Archie Costello. Bullying here, though, comes in the more subtle form of peer pressure rather than physical violence, though the ending does become violent.

Speaking of the ending, because this book grounded in realism, the ending isn’t quite what you expect from a novel. I won’t say anymore than that so as not to spoil the ending, but it was somewhat of a disappointment. As stated by a review in School Library Journal, “This novel [is] unique in its uncompromising portrait of human cruelty and conformity.”