The Chocolate War

Books | Young Adult Fiction / Social Themes / Peer Pressure

3.4

(215)

Robert Cormier

One of the most controversial YA novels of all time, The Chocolate War is a modern masterpiece that speaks to fans of S. E. Hinton’s The Outsiders and John Knowles’s A Separate Peace. After suffering rejection from seven major publishers, The Chocolate War made its debut in 1974, and quickly became a bestselling—and provocative—classic for young adults. This chilling portrait of an all-boys prep school casts an unflinching eye on the pitfalls of conformity and corruption in our most elite cultural institutions. “Masterfully structured and rich in theme; the action is well crafted, well timed, suspenseful.”—The New York Times Book Review “The characterizations of all the boys are superb.”—School Library Journal, starred review “Compellingly immediate. . . . Readers will respect the uncompromising ending.”—Kirkus Reviews, starred review An ALA Best Book for Young Adults A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year A Kirkus Reviews Editor’s Choice A New York Times Outstanding Book of the Year

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More Details:

Author

Robert Cormier

Pages

272

Publisher

Random House Children's Books

Published Date

2004-09-14

ISBN

0375829873 9780375829871

Ratings

Google: 4

Community ReviewsSee all

"I liked this book, but found myself sad with the ending. This was an assignment for my adolescent literature course and it definitely made me think back to the days of high school and struggling with going against the flow of normal. The Vigil seemed like a group to me that could be "the mean" girls of a private school. Most of their tactics relied on physiological focuses. There were a few main characters within the story, but also a large number of supporting characters. The mix created a great layout to see the struggle between good and evil. How the teens were growing into theirselves is a true struggle to adolescents. I would recommend this as a good read, but have a hard time deciding what age range is really appropriate."

Kass W

"It's a cruel cruel world out there folks. I read this in one sitting. A disturbingly realistic look at authority and the power of social conformity, corruption, and cruelty"

R T

Rebekah Travis

"Not sure I have a favorite author. "