The Chocolate War

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

Although he was given an assignment by The Vigils, Jerry refuses to follow orders, to sell chocolate. Viewed as being defiant and a problem, Jerry is seen as a hero to others within his school. The reader will see that money was spent on the chocolate that was not authorized and Brother Leon has to make ends meet and sell all of the chocolate. With the antagonists, Archie, head of The Vigils, finds ways to help Brother Leon sell the chocolates and making life for Jerry not so easy or pleasant for him.  The reader will also find that the book does not end as they would have hoped with Jerry injured and Archie showing not remorse or emotions towards his behavior.

This realistic fiction provides adolescent of 12 years old and up with a glimpse of how groups within a school can cause havoc for others and the negative result of peer pressure.  This book does involve violence due to the altercation Jerry experiences.

Teachers can use this book to discuss how peer pressure affects one another and the results of it. Teachers can discuss how adolescents can overcome peer pressure and ways to prevent such an impact of their peers.