The Chocolate War

Cormier, R. (1974). The chocolate war. NY: Delacorte. This novel follows the lives of several characters at an all boy’s Catholic high school. The main character is Jerry Renault.  Jerry is an unassuming first year student that just wants to play football. His determination outweighs his athletic ability. The school is run by a secret organization of students called The Vigils. Every year these students pick a student to pull off a prank against the faculty. This story is Jerry’s fight to stand up against the bullies. I loved Jerry’s determination in standing up against these bullies. He could have given in and just sold the chocolates, but he didn’t. High School students will cheer for his fight and groan at the antics of the Vigils and many of the faculty members. I am not sure who was the biggest bully…the Vigils or the teachers. The conflict in this book is Jerry deciding to continue to stand up to the Vigils, teachers and other classmates or not. He knows he is being bullied and wants to end the madness, but that is easier said than done. He knows the bullies do not need to win. Students reading this would understand his conflict between what is right and wrong.