The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier

Cormier, R. (2002). The Chocolate War. New York, NY: Random House Children’s Books. 

Jerry Renault is in his first year at Trinity High School. He has a confrontation with the school gang, The Vigils. The Vigils, headed by Archie Costello, specialize in making assignments for other students to complete. As part of an assignment Jerry denies to sell chocolates. At first, Brother Leon and the other students are shocked by Jerry's refusal. Brother Leon, outraged, looks forward to the assignment ending, since after ten days, Jerry is supposed to accept the chocolates and begin selling them. 

Little did he know that after the tenth day, Jerry fully intended to accept the chocolates, but when Leon calls his name during the chocolate roll call, however, Jerry still refuses to sell the chocolates. He is rebelling against The Vigils and Brother Leon. Inspired by the poster in his locker that reads: "Do I dare disturb the universe?" Jerry decides that that is precisely what he will do. Soon, he is somewhat of a hero in school as other students consider refusing to sell their chocolates too. 

Archie and Brother Leon have a meeting in which Brother Leon accuses him of sabotaging the sale by creating Jerry's assignment. Archie decides that the best thing to do is to make the sale popular and make Jerry an outcast. Thereafter, the chocolates are selling quickly except Jerry's. Archie gets back at Jerry by scheduling a student-only assembly to raffle off the tickets. 

Jerry and Emile begin to punch each other, but then Emile takes it too far, and though Jerry manages to fight back, he's no match. Plus, the students are all screaming for his death. The Goober shows up near the end of the fight and yells for it to be stopped, but nobody hears him. The fight ends when the lights on the field go out. The students run off and Brother Jacques lectures Archie, but soon Brother Leon comes to Archie's defense. In the meantime, the Goober is with Archie and they wait for an ambulance. Jerry wishes he could tell his friend not to defy authority, because it's too dangerous, but he can't talk. The novel ends with Archie and Obie walking home together in the dark. 

The main theme of The Chocolate War is the relation of the individual to society and the price one pays for conformity. Jerry’s protest is not easy for him to carry out, but he gains a new identity through his actions. I believe that in the end, Jerry did disturb the universe because he stood up against peer pressure and teacher intimidation to protest the evil he saw in the world. This novel could be used in a history class to teach and show what can happen to people who stand up for their rights in a totalitarian system. 

This book is suitable for readers ages 14 through 18. This book has won the title of best fiction for young adults, therefore, if you like it, perhaps you could continue reading other books from this author. I recommend I am the Cheese also written by Robert Cormier. The Chocolate War consists of 253 pages.