Perhaps one of the most controversial YA novels of all time, The Chocolate Battle is today’s masterpiece that speaks to supporters of S. E. Hinton’s The Outsiders and John Knowles’s ANOTHER Peace.

After struggling rejection from seven major publishers, The Chocolate War made its debut in 1974, and quickly became a bestselling-and provocative-classic for adults. This chilling portrait of an all-boys prep school casts an unflinching eyes within the pitfalls of about The Chocolate Battle conformity and problem in our most elite social institutions.

“Masterfully structured and rich in theme; the action is definitely well crafted, well timed, suspenseful.”-The NY Times Book Review

“[Frank] Muller’s mesmerizing narration underlines Jerry’s frustrations with sports activities, school, family members, and existence. He captures the firmness and cadences from the male solid, from Jerry’s growing disillusionment and Archie’s sly intimidation towards the chilling menace in Sibling Leon’s tone of voice…ln his foreword, Cormier admits he had written this for adults, being unsure of that writing for adults was a good possibility. Yet it has turned into a controversial and often banned YA classic, rich in themes-bullying, fitting in versus becoming true to oneself, dealing with peer pressure-that resonate as profoundly today as they did when this is released, in 1974.”-Booklist, starred review

“The characterizations of all boys are great.”-School Library Journal, starred review

“Compellingly immediate . . Readers will respect the uncompromising finishing.”-Kirkus Testimonials, starred review

An ALA Best Book for ADULTS

A School Library Journal Best Publication of the Year

A Kirkus Testimonials Editor’s Choice

A New York Situations Outstanding Publication of the entire year