The Chocolate War

This is another young adult read that many of you may be familiar with. For those of you who aren’t, The Chocolate War was an interesting read. We follow a number of characters (each chapter takes a different perspective) who are making their way through a Catholic school chocolate sale. When Jerry refuses to sell the chocolates he is met with mixed reception. To some he is brave for refusing to participate; to others he is making a statement against the school, and the school’s secret society, The Vigils. And in response to Jerry’s own actions he wonders, “Do I dare disturb the universe?” Eventually Jerry and The Vigils come to heads in a violent and unforgettable ending.

While this book carries a lot of weight in the young adult genre, and it was indeed a powerful story, I would not recommend it to the busy college student. It was a quick read, something I’d recommend for a holiday break, but the book speaks to a younger audience, and unless the busy college student needs a trip down adolescent lane, I’d recommend a book with an older audience in mind.

Stats: This book is an easy read at around 250 pages

Rating: An easy read but not worth the time for a busy college student before midterms