Rating: 
Summary: My favorite novel after 25 years!
Review: I first read The Chocolate War as a 20-year-old in college, and it's still my favorite novel of all time. High school freshman Jerry Renault, who recently lost his mom to cancer, is challenged by the poster decorating his locker--"Do I dare disturb the universe?" (from T.S. Eliot's poem "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock"). Brother Leon, acting headmaster of Jerry's school, Trinity High in Monument, MA, orders an unusually high number of chocolates for the school's annual sale. To insure success, Leon drafts Archie Costello, leader of the school's secret society, the Vigils, into backing his sale. Archie has plans of his own, using freshman Jerry to upset Leon's world. But when Jerry continues to refuse to join the sale, his "no" threatens the power of Leon, Archie, and the Vigils.This story could be seen as an allegory about the collusion of evil forces and the risk of trying to be good or independent in an evil system that depends upon conformity to survive. Archie is the Devil, Leon a Faustian or Pharisaical hypocrite, and Jerry a reluctant revolutionary, almost a Christ figure. You can also enjoy this novel as a well-plotted, tense, action-packed story. The Chocolate War has also been seen as an indictment of 20th-century American masculinity: cruel, merciless, ashamed of tenderness and goodness, more concerned with pushing others around than with protecting them. Jerry finds that the cost of being an individual can be astronomical--that most people find it safer to lead a bland, banal life than to "disturb the universe".
Rating: 
Summary: Chocolate War
Review: I was assigned this book for 8th grade reading, the book as you may have heard has various stories withing the book, the most importsnt one being the one were jerry refuses to sell chocolates at the anual sale, jerry goes from school "hero" to "rebel without a cause" although the book is interesting and brings in a more mature light to those young readers, at times it gets confusing because of the many events going on at the same time, making it rather stressful but you should read this book its a classic which cant be missed.
Rating: 
Summary: A realistic book that shows the hardships of a teenage life.
Review: I had to read this book for English class and I absolutely loved it! It brings a point out that really sticks in your mind 'Do I dare disturb the universe?' I think that what Jerry did was right because why always go with the crowd? I didn't give the book 5 stars because it wasn't one of the best books I've ever read but it really shows the realities in life. When I first finished the book I was confused with the ending because lets face it.. most books end with everything working out perfectly for every character.. but I didn't mind that I just wanted to know what happened with all the other characters. Everything that happens to Jerry is explained but what about the Vigils or Leon? But besides that it was a really great book and I definitely recommend it to anyone who doesn't mind books not ending with the usual "happily ever after" ending.
Rating:
Summary: Supreme
Review: Not as good as the sequal, but this awesome. Get this book!
Rating:
Summary: The Chocolate War
Review: The Chocolate War was one of the best books that i have ever read. I would only recommend this book to boys because some of the scenes may be controversial. If you like being a rebel and defying the rules this is a great book for you. This is also a great book for people who like to get revenge on people that you do not agree with. The main reason that I gave this book 4 stars instead of 5 is because the ending did not tie up all of the conflicts. It would have been a lot better book if we only found out what happened to the main character and the crooked teachers that made the students miserable. But, overall this was a really good book.
Rating:
Summary: amazingly realistic
Review: im 14 yrs old and in yr 9. For literature we read robert cormier's "the chocolate war" and i thought it was very well written from a kids perspective.I was very pleased with the ending of the story as it wasnt the steriotypical "they all lived happily ever after" ending.It was also a rather unusual story line and not at all what i expected. because mr.cormier uses occasional strong language it makes the book seem more realistic and thereby holding the readers interest. , because lets face it- what teenage kid doesnt occassionally use strong language?! Also this book shows how strong peer pressure can be and how far kids are willing to go just to fit in.i suggest this book to any kid who loves reading realsitic books and any adult who is just a big kid at heart!
Rating:
Summary: The Chocolate War
Review: Once, I saw my brother reading this book, and I picked it up and read it after he was done. I thought it was very interesting with the cover dark, and a football player on the front. I read the back, and it also caught my attention. With excellent comments on it, I knew I was going to enjoy this book. This book is about how a kid named Jerry Renault gets involved in a school named Trinity. In this school, he is forced by The Vigils, a group of kids, to not participate in the school fundraiser, to sell chocolates. Yet, he was only supposed to stop selling for a week, but he kept on going. He did not want to sell chocolates, and no matter how much his friends told him to, he still didn't. Pretty soon, some people realized that they didnt have to, but The Vigils forced everyone to. Jerry was soon outcasted and the chocolate sell was successful. But it didnt end there. The Vigils kept on wanting to make Jerry's life worse, so they challenged him to a boxing match against Emil Janza, and Emil practically killed him in that match. I liked this book because it was basically reality. It almost seemed as if it was real, and this was what happend to somebody. I think it's as if somebody was telling you the life on the streets and what happens. It's good to hear that people aren't perfect no matter what they seem like, and I think that Archie, is an example of that. Inside he's really mean and cold. But on the outside, he seems perfect. That's why i enjoyed this book, and I encourage all of u to read it!
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Summary: Inconceivable!
Review: I loved this book! I couldn't believe how TRUE it was! I have only read a few books that I've screamed at, but this one took the bait. It wasn't the fact that Jerry was beaten that made me mad, it was that nobody was on his side. Goober was the closest person to him, and even he didn't speak up for his friend. Jerry was alone, and it cost him everything. I liked this book so much because students can relate to it. School is an environment where you are supposed to feel safe, and you can speak freely. But like in real life, this book shows how one kid's determination to stop a group of students doing wrong, ends in he become the bad one. Jerry fell victim to popular opinion, and a social status that wasn't as high as the Vigils. He had no say in fighting the Vigils, because he was a freshman and was doing things different than everyone else. I believe the main idea in the book is stated on page 259 when Jerry is trying to tell Goober not to disturb the universe, in regards to a poster in his locker that asked, "Do I dare disturb the universe?" It is an idea that scares a lot of people, including me. I found my self asking "Is the author trying to tell you not to speak out against wrong, or try something different if it changes the regular flow of everyday lives?" I am still not sure whether or not that is truly what the author is saying, but I do know that the Chocolate War was an excellent book. With the ability to make you scream at it, and for more, it is a perfect addition to one's shelf at home. I recommend it to anyone
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Summary: Challenge yourself to the Uttermost~!
Review: Here's the question for you, for Jerry Renault, and perhaps for all:"Do I dare disturb the universe?". Maybe none of us would, but not Jerry. He bravely took up the challenge against the Vigils, the most well-known secret society for intimidation, and wasn't afraid of being himself. That's what attrats me!
Today, many of us wouldn't dare to go against popular voice as long as we're all nice and set. But without noticing it, we've all lost our uniqueness due to our fear of getting into accessary troubles. We should stand up for ourselves if we know what we're doing is right and persist till the end.
Robert Cormier, the author of this book, has brilliantly unfolded the reality in a special way that shifted from one perspective of the characters to the other. By this, I got to know what others were thinking towards the main characters and the events that were going on in the story. I also like the way the story ends; so unexpectable but so true. I really recommend this book to teenagers who are struggling to live like themselves.
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Summary: A good start to a two part book.....
Review: If you haven't read a Robert Cormier book, I would not advise to start with this one unless you commit to reading "Beyond the Chocolate War." Many people are disappointed with the ending to this book. That's probably what sparked the sequel. You don't have to read the second to enjoy the first, but by reading them both, you will have the right impression of Robert Cormier---he's a [darn] good writer. I always suggest "I am the Cheese" for first-timers, but I could also name a few others which are very difficult not to like. The Chocolate War pair aren't my favorite, but the characters are very well developed. They stir your emotions (love, hate, pity, etc.) whether you want them to or not.
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