To parents, I think that The Chocolate War really is a book condensed with life lessons and examples of a harsh society (therefore leaving us deep in thought how to become a better person and to create a better society). As for the swear words, to me personally, it doesn't really make me feel uncomfortable, instead it creates a more realistic feel and contributes to the characteristics of the students in the story. Usually it comes in a faint memory or just in a line or two. The sexual content is extremely mild, there are no detailed descriptions of obscene scenes. I think the book just really requires readers who are willing to respect this book and to read it with a mature attitude. I was so in love with this book I immediately purchased the sequel, Beyond The Chocolate War. He's trying to use the example of a secret organization at a school, to paint a picture to us readers of a unsatisfactory but real society. I don't think Robert Cormier wrote this book to frighten children and believe in mafias that exist in schools. It portrays society and authority/power through a school community. Lastly, I would also like to emphasize that the story itself is a microcosm. My classmates agree that the book is extremely relatable to our daily lives, and all those crazy teenage thoughts are something everyone has to live through. Although the book consists of mild sexual content, and swear words are sometimes used in dialogues, I truly believe this is a great work of literature. The book doesn't convey a wrong moral, it simply emphasizes the sacrifice you need to give to stand with a right moral, in a situation the protagonist is in. I believe it is necessary to allow teenagers to understand the negative aspects of life.

However, it's a great book with tons of symbolism, metaphors, and a really well thought-out plot. The book does outline the harsh truths of society and discusses themes like Psychological Manipulation, Conformity, and Violence. We recently studied this book in our English and Literature class.

The chocolate war book