The Chocolate War

By Robert Cormier

Book #1 in the Chocolate War series

A prep school student challenges conformity, facing corruption and peer pressure.

3.5/5 Goodreads · 47,392 ratings

267 pages· 51,115 words· Est. 4.5 hour read

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Bookroo's summary

In a prestigious all-boys prep school, one student dares to defy the status quo, igniting a battle against the oppressive forces of conformity and corruption. As he navigates the treacherous waters of peer pressure and institutional power, the stakes rise, forcing him to confront the true cost of rebellion. Will he stand firm or succumb to the overwhelming forces against him? This gripping tale explores the dark side of elite education and the courage it takes to stand alone.

From the publisher

One of the most controversial YA novels of all time, The Chocolate War is a modern masterpiece that speaks to fans of S. E. Hinton’s The Outsiders and John Knowles’s A Separate Peace. After 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. 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. “Masterfully structured and rich in theme; the action is well crafted, well timed, suspenseful.”–The New York Times Book Review “The characterizations of all the boys are superb.”–School Library Journal, starred review “Compellingly immediate. . . . Readers will respect the uncompromising ending.”–Kirkus Reviews, starred review An ALA Best Book for Young Adults A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year A Kirkus Reviews Editor’s Choice A New York Times Outstanding Book of the Year

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