I love it. It is a top-notch book. The tone was dismal, bitter and hopeless at the end. But I'm glad to have read a book such as this and I am going to read Beyond The Chocolate War.
I'm 16 years old and I had to read it in my 11th grade class. Obviously our class is fine with the use of language and such, but for younger kids from primary to maybe year 9 this is an inappropriate book. It has frequent sexual terms that younger kids certainly wouldn't understand and their parents may not be happy with the language in the book. Though our class enjoyed reading it as it also had positive messages about standing up to bullies and believing in yourself and not letting others push you around.
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.
The chocolate war may not be appropriate for many children. I am 17 years old, and I could handle the book, but many young children who have not been exposed to some of the sexual material and langusge may not feel comfortable.
On the plus side, it is very well written, and does teach to stand up for what you believe in. But mainly, if you're not comfortable with the material then don't read it, it is a choice. If you are a parent with younger kids, then I would advise reading it before your children so that you can decide if it is appropriate for them.
We enjoyed the beginning and middle, but the end was a disappointment. This book should be read in school or at home when discussions can be had and content explained.
This book could have been a great message about "changing the universe" challenges, but it becomes too violant. Especially the final fiight! Also, the involement of the teacher goes too far. I read it quickly to get thru it.
im 12 and was told to read it im only in 6th grade. horable for kids my age. it made no scince to me. if i had to vote it 1 - 100 stars i would vote maybe 2 stars just because the auaother could wright
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.
Violence, sex, and a manipulative priest makes this more suitable for 14+. Good book. Religious parents should know that religion is protrayed as dangerous.
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.