Pain...Pain...Pain and the Start of the Semester

Yes, the semester has started here in the cold and snow. However, at least one day last week was above freezing! And I didn't wear my hat or my gloves! I should really sit in a corner and explain to myself (again) why I didn't go to library school in Hawaii. It's a tough one.

Right. So for my YA lit class we read The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier. Let me start out by saying it's one of the most talked about books in YA lit since its publication in 1974. It's well written, well thought out and very real. That said, it wasn't my favorite book I've ever read.

In it, Jerry Renault is a freshman at Trinity, a school where the not so secret society, The Vigils rule the school. Archie, the brains behind this group gives Jerry an assignment, to not sell chocolates in the annual chocolate sale. The problem is, however, that Jerry continues to refuse to sell chocolates, making him into a sort of hero. This upsets one of the teachers, Brother Leon, who puts pressure on Archie. In turn, Archie and the rest of the school puts pressure on Jerry.

It's really rather painful to read. Especially in that you think that this could possibly happen. Not that you want it to happen. But that it could. Depressing. And I've got to say, I tend to like depressing. I devoured Lurlene McDaniel books when I was younger. I enjoy books when the main character doesn't always win. I'm not sure what it was about this one that really turned me off.

However, I do think that there is a large group of readers who would really enjoy this book. Guys might like the realism a little more. There are YA readers who need something that isn't as happy as some of the other books I've been suggesting. I would definitely suggest it for older readers who don't believe that the authority is always right.