Tools for this page
Print

The Chocolate War

(1974, Fiction - Literary Fiction, Written by Robert Cormier, Illustrated by No Illustrator)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

    (Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)

    Not age appropriate for kids under 13, age appropriate for kids over 15; suggested age 13.
  • Is it any good?

    5.0
  • Common Sense says

    A kind of "Dangerous Liaisons" for teenagers.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 13–15

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    The Vigils order boys to vandalize a classroom and defy teachers. A bully steals gas, and forces a student to buy cigarettes. Brother Leon deliberately embarrasses students, hits one student with a pointer, ignores violence, and encourages the Vigils.
  • Violence:

    Fight scenes realistically and graphically described.
  • Sex:

    Several frank references to masturbation and to boys' fantasies about girls.
  • Language:

    Conversations between teenage boys contain frequent use of moderate, and occasional extreme, sexual, bathroom, and religiously themed profanity.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The Chocolate War

Parents need to know that the intensity of emotion and high level of the vocabulary in this book will challenge readers. But it's brilliantly written and examines some serious moral problems. Older readers often find the intensity and realism fascinating, while others, often under age 15, may find it too disturbing.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the significance of the quote on a poster in Jerry's locker -- "Dare I disturb the universe?" -- and how it relates to the book as a whole. In what ways does Jerry choose to "disturb the universe"? If you wanted to "disturb the universe" in your own way, how would you do it? Who are the most powerful characters in Cormier's book? What does that say about the very nature of power itself?

Want more? Get Common Sense recommendations delivered to your inbox.

Our Members Say

Have you read it? Review It!

  • What did you think about The Chocolate War?
  •  I think this book is

    for ages

  •  I also give it

  •  Any concerns?

  •  Any highlights?

  •  Love it? Hate it?

  • or to post a review
See all 10 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Massachusetts
    I rate this title off for age 12 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Negative message

    Definetely a good book, but not for little kids. Constant swearing, smoking, and bad role models. Resistance towards teachers is NOT a good role model

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Maryland
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 1.0

    Overrated and Badly Written

    I had high expectations for this book, none of which were met, and the teen characters were all very two-dimenisional (sp?) and unrealistic, to an extent where I didn't even care what happened to them. Although it started out in a promising way, it quickly went downhill-as in twenty pages later. I would not recommend this to anyone.

  3. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Connecticut
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 4.0

    Classic Tale

    Violence, sex, and a manipulative priest makes this more suitable for 14+. Good book. Religious parents should know that religion is protrayed as dangerous.

  4. Teen Reviewer Age 17
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 4.0

    it was sweet

    The book was amazing. A teenager doing funny things is awesome and it was the best book i have ever read.

  5. I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    Wow..........

    This is one of those books, that after you finish it and set it down, you have to sit awhile and think. It leaves you thinking "Wow...." and really has a good message behind all of the bad stuff that the kids do. One kid stood up to everything and everyone. Because he knew that he was right. This is an incredibly well-written novel and is a must-read for any teenager.

More Great Stuff For Your Kids

  • Now Playing

    Aliens in the Attic

    Aliens in the Attic

    Silly teens-versus-aliens adventure is sure to delight kids.

  • Issue Spotlight

    Rules of the Road for Texting

    Rules of the Road for Texting

    Set limits long before they get behind the wheel.

  • Must See TV

    Dancing with the Stars

    Dancing with the Stars

    High-kicking series has cross-generational appeal.

  • Pick of the Week

    Online Homework Help

    Online Homework Help

    Best Online Homework Helpers

  • Game of the Week

    Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

    Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

    Fun movie-based action game has constant but mild violence.

Give Us a Minute, Get a Lot of Common Sense!
  • Age-appropriate best bets for your kids
  • Weekly email alert with the latest picks, reviews & advice
  • Post your own reviews and share them with friends

This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
A screen name protects your privacy
To post a review or comment you must become a Common Sense Member. It's easy!

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations.
A screen name protects your privacy

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
(optional)
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

We can make Common Sense just right for you. With a little info about you and your family, you'll get the most out of our site.

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!
Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations
A screen name protects your privacy