“ Muller's mesmerizing narration underlines Jerry's frustrations with sports, school, family, and life. “Masterfully structured and rich in theme the action is well crafted, well timed, suspenseful.”- The New York Times Book Review 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. Hinton’s The Outsiders and John Knowles’s A Separate Peace.Īfter 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. Morrison was the Library Director at Southeastern Oklahoma State University.One of the most controversial YA novels of all time, The Chocolate War is a modern masterpiece that speaks to fans of S.

This article was originally published in 2009. Sharon L. Censors have repeatedly tried to remove The Chocolate War from library shelves and the curriculum, but have been stymied by First Amendment–based rights of intellectual freedom and the right to read.

Specific challenges were raised concerning sexual content, offensive language, and violence. Censors have tried to remove The Chocolate War from librariesĪlthough masterfully structured and rich in theme, The Chocolate War was the most challenged book of fiction in 1998. Recognition and awards for The Chocolate War include being named an ALA Best Book for Young Adults, a New York Times Outstanding Book for Young Adults, and a School Library Journal Best of the Best. A student who tries to stand up to the gang finds that the struggle against conformity has unfortunate consequences. The book tells the story of a secret society, the Vigils, whose members manipulate and intimidate most students into following the gang’s dictates. The Chocolate War, first published by Robert Cormier in 1974, remains a perennial favorite of censors and book banners. (Image via Wikimedia Commons, fair use rationale)

The chocolate war book