Books I should have read already #1

The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier

Blurb for those who can't focus: This book's about choosing a different path at great consequence. It's also about young adulthood-the decisions that make us into the people we will be. It's about reputation. School spirit. It's good versus evil, but when good doesn't know why it's being good, and evil doesn't think it's being evil. It's not really about chocolate.

Soldiering onward: I should have read this book in grade school. I think it was an option for a book report, but the premise seems ridiculous, especially for a book that's made it to the 100 most banned books list. I kept passing it up, but I'm glad I finally didn't - it was two dollars well spent.

Two books sprang to mind while I was reading The Chocolate War - Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli and Graham Greene's Brighton Rock. Brighton Rock spent its pages on a pretty classic exploration of good versus evil on the British shores. Stargirl dealt with popularity and being yourself, at whatever cost. Mix these books together with a liberal sprinkling of the mob rule in Lord of the Flies, and you have Jerry's story.

Plot: The Vigils control Trinity High School - they're a secret society that's not so secret. They make life interesting at the school - destroying a room full of desks, commanding a class to dance any time a professor says the word "environment." They target Jerry Renault for a similar prank: The voluntary chocolate sale that everyone always says "yes" to? He's commanded to say "no," for ten days. But on day eleven - he doesn't stop. He can't fathom why, but he starts to face the consequences - from the school itself and the Vigils he's defying.

More chocolate in every bite: The multiple perspective narrative here is on display like 4th of July fireworks - it's terribly interesting to be in Archie's diabolical mind as he plans each prank. Or Goober's mind, as he tries to sway Jerry. Or Jerry's mind, as he tries to figure out why on earth he's doing what he's doing. What makes him different from Stargirl's Leo or Brighton Rock's Hale is he doesn't quite know why he's making his decisions. He knows there is an easier route and he longs to take it - but he never does. That's what made this book such a disarming read - it pinpoints that space between choices where decisions are made for us, without our understanding.

And when Cormier takes a moment within the slim 250 pages to sprinkle in some literary whiz-bang, it's welcome. The descriptions of pain as the kids play football, or what it's like to run for Carter. Those little moments where he couldn't hold back the metaphor - they're tastier than chocolate.

Should you read it? I'd totally recommend it, but it's banned. It's on the top ten banned list again, actually, from 2009. But it's number ten. Number one are those affronts to grammar, Lauren Myracle's TTYL series. In this case, choose last place. The Chocolate War will stick with you.