The Chocolate War

Realistic (fiction), Trade Book, Lexile 820

Trinity high school freshman Jerry Renault learns that there is a price to pay when you challenge the Vigils, a vicious gang of school bullies. They, along with Vice-principal Brother Leon, have been running things for a long time, making sure that everyone knows their place and stays there. When Jerry refuses to participate in the school-wide candy sale, he enrages Brother Leon, who needs that revenue to cover up a bad business decision. Jerry's act of defiance makes him the object of brutality reserved for those who refuse to conform. Jerry learns that standing up sometimes means you will stand alone.