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.
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The Chocolate War
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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?
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Common Sense says
A kind of "Dangerous Liaisons" for teenagers.
updated 07.04.08
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 13–15
What to watch out for
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Violence :
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Sex :
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
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.
Read our full review by Monica Wyatt
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?
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Our Members Say
See all 9 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
Lives in MarylandI rate this title iffy for age 2 and give itOverrated and Badly Written
- Lives in ConnecticutI rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it
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.
- Lives in PennsylvaniaI rate this title on for age 2 and give it
it was sweet
The book was amazing. A teenager doing funny things is awesome and it was the best book i have ever read.
- Lives inI rate this title on for age 2 and give it
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.
- Lives in PennsylvaniaI rate this title on for age 2 and give it
everything they don't want you to know
So i read this book when i was 11, and let me tell you, I stopped participating in school funraisers. Sorry. Anyway, this book is probably one of the most interesitng and provocotive I've ever read. However, anyone who challenges it is an idiot. It doesn't deserve that.
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