THE CHOCOLATE WAR

Hi Welcome back,

I have just finished reading a wonderful book for teens called The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier. The book is gritty and honest, and easy to visualize each character. Not a new teen novel, but one I would classify as a classic, written in 1974.

THE CHOCOLATE WAR BY ROBERT CORMIER

 
                            


  

     

ROBERT CORMIER 1925-2000

 

 Robert Cormier was an American author, and a journalist for thirty years working as a newspaper reporter and columnist. He has written many books for teens. I will post a list of titles at the bottom of the page.

The Chocolate War review:

Jerry Renault, a freshman was doing his best to cope, dealing with the death of his mother, and his absentee father, who lived in a constant daze. 

Jerry attended Trinity High School in New England; a boy’s private Catholic school ran by the brothers.

Brother Leon was the head teacher, a cruel and vindictive man, who didn’t spare feelings, or embarrassment. He ruled his class with an iron fist, never offering any leeway or exemptions. He was, however, aware of the school's secret society, the Vigils, who no one dared to challenge, not even him. 

Archie Costello was the clever mastermind behind the Vigils, a born leader, who managed to keep his hands clean while others did his dirty work. Nobody challenged his authority, or at least not to his face. His word gospel, nobody dared to question.

Every year a select group of boys was chosen by the Vigils to carry out an assignment; one cleverly contrived by Archie. They were sworn to secrecy, neither their names nor their assignment discussed.

The school was preparing for the annual chocolate sale, only this year; students expected to sell double the quota of last year and for double the price. It was not an option, but expected that every student partake and help raise funds for the school.

Each day at roll call, the students were asked if they’d come and collect their chocolates. Nobody refused, except Jerry. The beginning was to fulfill his assignment; seen as the school hero, by even the seniors who never dared to go against Brother Leon.

After the tenth day, his assignment was complete, but Jerry still refused to collect or sell the chocolates, challenging both Brother Leon and the authority of the Vigils. He wanted to make his own decisions, not have anybody dictate what he should do or have control over him.

Archie’s authority had come into question by the Vigils. For the first time ever, one of the assignments not being carried out like planned. Archie had to regain his control, and would do whatever it took to regain his position of power and authority.

The plans changed; Archie made the chocolate sale the most important thing of all, encouraging every student to meet their quota. The heat was on still Jerry refused. Only days ago he was considered a super hero in the school, now flipped, marking him as the most hated kid. Archie was determined to make Jerry cave and conform, exactly like the others at the school.

The more Jerry’s challenged the stronger he opposed to selling chocolate, his life at school became a misery. He is now the target, bullied and in the end pushed into a battle, he had little chance of winning.

Archie had to prove to all that the Vigils rule the school, and for those even thinking of rebelling, will suffer the consequences, using Jerry as a model example to all.

 

The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier is a book that will stick with you long after completing the story. The story clearly shows the power of control, manipulation and bullying, using language and sexuality with an honesty and realism.

Robert Cormier understood the mindset of teens, which clearly stands out in his portrayal of characters, their strengths and weaknesses.

Due to some of the subject matter and use of language, the book has received its share of controversy since its first publication in 1974. Since then The Chocolate War has been challenged in many American Schools and libraries.

In my opinion, this is sad, especially when an author has written a book that appeal to teenage boys, many of whom are not readers. Isn’t it our job as parents and educators to encourage our kids to read?

I would highly recommend The Chocolate War to teens, ages 14+. 

Titles by Robert Cormier: 

Fade

After the First Death

We all Fall Down

Tunes for Bears to Dance To

I am the Cheese 

Happy reading,
Bye Rosalyne

WHAT IS YOUNG ADULT LITERATURE

Hi Welcome back,

I was out with a group of friends recently, all of us parents of teens. The conversation shifted to the return to school and how to encourage  kids to read. The big question asked, what's young adult literature?  

I am sharing a post that I hope will clarify that answer.

Young Adult Literature

Young Adult literature has rapidly grown in popularity over the past twenty years. Harry Potter, Twilight and The Hunger Games to name a few, have changed the way people are reading.  Even the most reluctant readers are sitting down and cracking open a book.

Titles are not exclusive to only teen readers, now expanding into the adult readership.

Young adult literature has become a multi platform industry, selling books, movies, and product. Now so popular, has almost had a cult like following.

  

     Twilight by Stephanie Meyer

             

 

What is Young Adult Literature?

Young adult literature covers a wide age spectrum from 12-18.  The primary focus is for a teen audience, with the emphasis on character and plot.  Topics cover a wide range, most coming of age and issues that affect daily life. Novels can be written using any genre, from fantasy to paranormal, but share one common thread, a realism.

Regardless of theme, most novels are the voice of a first person, notably absent, parents and adult authority.   

                 Trilogy by Suzanne Collins

 

                           

The first young adult literature

The first novel of young adult literature was The Catcher in the Rye by J. D Salinger. During the 1950s emerged a different style of writing, one adopted by adolescents. William Golding’s Lord of the Flies hit the shelves several years later. Both authors paved a pathway for other writers, and the continuing growth in adolescent books.

                Catcher in the Rye by J.D Salinger              Lord of the Flies by William Golding

                                                

 Types of Genres

Young Adult novels come in a variety of styles, continuously striving and expanding into new areas. Books come in an array of choices, fiction and nonfiction, short stories, graphic novels and even diary format. Popular genres include fantasy, romance, paranormal, steam punk and dystopia.  These can be broken down even further, many of which overlap in one story. 

Young adult novels share a common theme, peer pressure, friendship, conformity, belonging, obstacles, doubts and achievements.

             Graphic Novel by Vera Brosgol                       Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

                                       

  Trendsetters

Young adult novels often reflect the cultural and social climatic changes in society. Topics once considered taboo are now mainstream, addressing important issues that affect the lives of teens. 

Judy Blume is a prolific teen author, who has battled her way through censorship and narrow-minded thinking.  Her books are real and honest covering a wide span of topics, from puberty to sexuality.  

  

Judy Blume: Two of several teen novels

                             

Teens are perceptive, technologically savvy with the world at their fingertips. This has sped childhood, stripping away the innocence of youth, who are demanding deeper more in depth stories.  Authors have more freedom to write about sensitive situations, bullying, rape, drugs and alcohol, even suicide. 

   Laurie Halse Anderson:  Wintergirls and Speak 

                           

 

Currently, still in great demand are the dystopia novels. (“An imaginary place where everything is as bad as it can be.”) Several examples, the Hunger Games, Divergent, and the newest edition Insurgent, both set in a futuristic society, one of social change and political unrest.

 Veronica Roth: Divergent and the sequel Insurgent           

                           

Society doesn’t stand still nor does our demand for something new. Young adult fiction is on a continuous climb, the landscape shifting and exploring unknown horizons. 

I hope this is of some help, a very small representation of thousands of teen novels. 
Happy reading,
Bye Rosalyne