The Chocolate War

Cormier, R. (1974). The chocolate war: A novel. New York: Delacorte.

In this YA classic, Jerry Renault is a freshman at Trinity. He finds himself trying to make the football team at the all boy Catholic school at all cost. He lives with his father, and he focuses on football as a way to divert his emotions from recently losing his mother to Cancer. His strong-willed no quitter attitude helped him win the respect of the other boys. That is until it came time for the school’s chocolate fundraiser. Politics and corruption are rampant in the school. Everyone fears the wrath of Brother Leon. Brother Leon wants to take over as leader of the school, and he is determined to make the chocolate sale a success. A secret society of students who call themselves “The Vigils” hand out mandatory secret assignments to maintain their control of the school politics. Archie, the assigner, and Brother Leon have an unstated understanding of each other. Jerry’s assignment backfires for Archie and Brother Leon threatening to dethrone them. He refuses to sell the chocolates. He is bullied, beat-up and shunned for his choice, but he does not back down. Despite Jerry’s effort, the chocolate sale is a success, and he ends up in a boxing match for survival. Cormier writes a dark reality of peer pressure, social hierarchy and power. He sends a clear message that one person can endure and bring change even if the end result isn’t what you hoped for.