Stephanie Seaman The Chocolate War by

Professor Danielle DuPuis

Robert Cormier
SLM 504: Literature for Young Adults
14 April 2019

Summary: Freshman Jerry Renault attends a Catholic boys school,

where he is bullied by the other students and staff. A secret club, the
Vigils, attempts to initiate Jerry by forcing him to perform pranks.
Jerry at first complies and then resists. His refusal is seen as heroic by
the students and both the Vigils and the school administrator, Brother
Leon, see him as a threat. Marked as a target, by Brother Leon and
Archie, leader of the Vigils, Jerry is subjected to abuse. He remains
defiant. He is upsetting the norms of the school, leading up to a
showdown in a boxing ring with the school bully.

Awards:
Reading Promotion Strategy SLJ Best Books of the Year 1974
This title is considered to be a classic novel in the Young Adult ALA Best Book for Young Adults
genre. The themes of manipulation and power and the symbol of 1974
football as a war are seen throughout the book. To promote the New York Times Notable Books of
reading of this book, a suggestion is to post snippets from the the Year 1974
book alongside the T.S. Elliot poem, "The Love Song of J. Alfred ALA Most Challenged Books Top
Prufrock," which Jerry has a quote from on a poster in his locker. Ten 2009 (most recent listing)
The poem shares the book’s manipulation and the quote speaks
Other titles you may enjoy:
to Jerry in the opposite way the poem intends. The poem fea-
tures a main character who clings to things staying the same. Ask Cormier, Robert. I am the Cheese
students to add to the display, with their own thoughts on the Ember, 2007.
similarities and differences in the two texts. Eliot, T.S. The Love Song of J. Alfred
Prufrock. Poets.org, https://
AASL Standard II. I. Inquire Build new knowledge by inquiring, www.poets.org/poetsorg/poem/
thinking critically, identifying problems, and developing strate- love-song-j-alfred-prufrock.
gies for solving problems. A. Think. Learners display curiosity Hinton, S.E. The Outsiders:50th
Anniversary Edition. Penguin Books,
and initiative by: 2. Recalling prior and background knowledge as
2016.
context for new meaning.

Evaluation
Genre: Classic Novel/Often Banned Grades: 10-12

The themes of this novel almost seem like the author made a list of everything a teenage boy might worry
about and then ramped them up to the highest degree possible. Jerry is fighting against system (both the
student social system and the adults in charge) for no particular reason. He questions his own defiance at
several points, but persists. I felt it encapsulates the teenage feeling of wanting to your own person, but
not really knowing why or how. It is a thought provoking, satisfying read.
Stephanie Seaman The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Professor Danielle DuPuis
by Stephen Chbosky
SLM 504: Literature for Young Adults
14 April 2019

Summary: High school freshman Charlie is trying to move forward with his
life after losing his only middle school friend to suicide and an earlier loss of
his favorite aunt . He is writing to an friend and relates the story from his
own perspective. The novel reads like a journal. Charlie is the "wallflower"
from the title; never really participating in life. He is always on the periphery,
never in the center. Slowly Charlie starts to become part of the life going on
around him. His English teacher recognizes his talent and he becomes
friends with Patrick (who is gay) and Patrick's step-sister, Sam. The three
friends find support in each other and Charlie starts participating in his own
life after confronting the hidden trauma he has been repressing.

Awards:
Reading Promotion Strategy ALA Most Challenged Books Top Ten
As this book is a epistolary novel, it offers a chance to integrate 2014
reading with writing. Students will be invited to write a imaginary ALA Best Book for Young Adults 2000
ALA Best Book for Reluctant Readers
student, much like Charlie wrote to his “friend”. The letters will
2000
share each student’s review of the book , including a personal
connection to what they have read. Students letters can be dis-
Other titles you may enjoy:
played in the media center with the book and others that have
similar structure or themes (see other title list). Anderson, Lauren Halse. Speak. Square
Fish, 2011.
AASL Standard II. Include: Demonstrate an understanding of and
Myracle Lauren. ttyl Amulet
commitment to inclusiveness and respect for diversity in the Paperbacks, 2014.
learning community. C. Share. Learners exhibit empathy with and Rowell, Rainbow. Eleanor & Park. St.
tolerance for diverse ideas by: 1. Engaging in informed conversa- Martin's Griffin, 2013.
tion and active debate.

Evaluation
Genre: Contemporary Fiction/ Epistolary Novel /Banned Grades: 10-12

This book deals with suicide, child molestation, teen sex, abortion, drug use, alcohol
abuse. I can see parents objecting to this book just based on the subject manner. I
would argue that for older teens, this book proves that children with depression and
those that have suffered terrible trauma can heal. Charlie is able to get better and par-
ticipate in his high school life by the end of the book. He grows and heals, which to me
was empowering. I would choose to include this title in a high school library because its
message of healing is so strong. This would be a book that can lead to deep conversa-
tions with older teens.
 Stephanie Seaman Pretending to be Erica by
Professor Danielle DuPuis
Michelle Painchaud
SLM 504: Literature for Young Adults
14 April 2019

Summary: Erica has been found. Only she isn’t Erica, she’s Violet
and she has spent most of her life getting ready for the con of a life-
time. The real Erica goes missing in kindergarten and disappears.
Her wealthy parents search to no avail. Violet’s adoptive father plots
the heist that will set them up for life; steal a priceless painting by
impersonating Erica. Violet has been trained for every possible situ-
ation, except the possibility of starting to care about the people in
Erica’s life. Who is she really now, Violet or Erica?

Awards:
Reading Promotion Strategy
YALSA Mystery 2016
Using the mystery aspects of this novel and the setting in Las
YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant
Vegas, I would set-up a treasure hunt around the library. Stu-
Readers List 2016
dents will use clues to find the letters in the name “Erica” hid-
den in the stacks and turn the full name in for a reward. Each Other titles you may enjoy:
clue would lead to another book tied to the novel; other mys-
McManus, Karen M. One of Us is Lying.
teries, books on the history of Las Vegas, and true crime are
Delacorte Press, 2017.
just some that could be included (see other titles).
Schreiber, Joe. Au Revoir, Crazy
AASL Standard I. Inquire. Build new knowledge by inquiring, European Chick. Houghton Mifflin,
thinking critically, identifying problems, and developing strate- 2011.
Schumacher, Geoff. Sun, Sin &
gies for solving problems. A. Think. Learners display curiosity
Suburbia. University of Nevada
and initiative by: 1. Formulating questions about a personal in-
Press, 2015.
terest or a curricular topic.

Evaluation
Genre: Mystery Grades: 9-12

From the very beginning of this novel, the reader knows that Violet is playing Erica. What the
reader does not know is what is Violet going to do about it? Will she follow through on the
plan and steal the painting? Or is she slowly actually turning into Erica by walking in her
shoes? And what really did happen to Erica? Is she alive somewhere or is she dead as Sal
tells Violet? The reader is waiting for these and many more questions to be answered as the
novel unfolds. Violet is a character of ambiguous morals, but yet she is so well drawn that
you want to root for her. This is a mystery wrapped in a coming of age story. The duality of
the story sucks the reader in and ending is satisfying, even if not neatly tied with a bow.
 Stephanie Seaman Finding Audrey by Sophie
Professor Danielle DuPuis
Kinsella
SLM 504: Literature for Young Adults
14 April 2019

Summary: 14 year old Audrey has social anxiety. When she is bul-
lied at school her parents withdraw her from school and she starts
therapy to help her deal with it. She can barely leave the house and
takes to wearing dark sunglasses at all times to avoid making eye
contact. Audrey meets and falls for one of her brother's friends, Li-
nus. He is patient and tries to help her. Audrey finds the road to
recovery and happiness is not the straight line she had hoped, but
one that is up and down. Along this jagged path she travels with
Linus and her family, towards recovery and self-acceptance.

Awards:
Reading Promotion Strategy YALSA Realistic Fiction 2017
Audrey and Linus like to go to Starbucks, so this novel is a perfect New York Times Bestseller List 2015
coffeehouse novel. As a way to promote the books host a before YALSA Popular Paperbacks for Young
school coffee and conversation club to discuss the book and its Adults List
A ZOELLA Book Club Pick 2016
message of learning to accept oneself, flaws and all. A suggestion
would be to invite a school counselor to address the themes of Other titles you may enjoy:
bullying and social anxiety in the book. Audrey’s personal set-
Rowell, Rainbow. Fangirl: A Novel.
backs on her road to recovery and her family’s realization that no-
Wednesday Books, 2018.
body is perfect are great talking points to start with.
Skilton, Sarah. Bruised. Amulet Books,
AASL III. Collaborate. Work effectively with others to broaden per- 2013.
Zappia, Francesca. Eliza and her
spectives and work toward common goals. Learners identify collab-
Monsters. Greenwillow Books,
orative opportunities by: 2. Developing new understandings
2017.
through engagement in a learning group. in informed conversation
and active debate.

Evaluation
Genre: Realistic Fiction Grades: 8-12

In this book Audrey uses her therapist’s suggestion to make a transcript of the docu-
mentary she is making about her family as a way cope with her social anxiety. The use of
the transcripts, notes and graphs from the therapist are clever narrative devices to ex-
plain the family dynamic and Audrey’s anxiety. The honest approach to having and cop-
ing with anxiety is refreshing. The reality that nobody can be perfect is mirrored in sev-
eral of the characters. This novel deals with real issues, but without being preachy.
 Stephanie Seaman Your Own Worst Enemy by
Professor Danielle DuPuis
Gordon Jack
SLM 504: Literature for Young Adults
14 April 2019

Summary: Stacey Wynn is going to win the election for student-body

president of Lincoln High School. She’s followed all the rules, she’s
won every other year and she is the only candidate. Until she isn’t.
Through a series of absurd events two new candidate emerge.
Transfer student from Canada, Julia is running and trying to romance
Stacey’s campaign manager. Tony Guo is running on a platform of
chocolate milk and getting high. This high school set drama is a hu-
morous look at the current state of American politics. Can Stacey still
win by playing it straight or will she have to resort to playing dirty?

Reading Promotion Strategy Awards:

ALA Starred Review 2018
The three candidates in this novel are thinly veiled versions of types
Amazon #1 in Teen & Young Adult
of politicians. I would pair this novel with biographies of actual poli-
Humorous Fiction November 2018
ticians, calling it “Politics is Funny”. This book really examines the Publishers Weekly Starred Review
current state of American politics, albeit in a humorous wrapper. November 2018
Looking back at the history of politics in this country may prove that
where we are today may not be that far from where we have been. Other titles you may enjoy:
Students could share humorous anecdotes from real elections along-
Hiaasen, Carl. Skink-No Surrender
side scenes from the book and invite others to guess, “real politics or
Ember, 2015.
fiction”. Jack, Gordon. The Boomerang Effect.
Harper Teen, 2016.
AASL I. Inquire. Build new knowledge by inquiring, thinking critical-
Rowell, Rainbow. Eleanor & Park. St.
ly, identifying problems, and developing strategies for solving prob-
Martin's Griffin, 2013.
lems. B. Create: Learners engage with new knowledge by following a
process that includes: 3. Generating products that illustrate learning.

Evaluation
Genre: Humor Grades: 8-12

This book is laugh out loud funny and the more absurd it gets, the clearer the links to
current politics become. There are also many opportunities to discuss more than just
political themes. The book touches on white privilege, LGBTQ issues, self-identity, sib-
ling rivalry and just trying to survive high school. This is a character-driven novel with
five main characters. In addition to the three candidates there was Brian, Stacey’s cam-
paign manager/best friend, and his younger brother Kyle. I found their story very inter-
esting. The novel uses their relationship as a tool to stir the pot, making the shoe-in
candidacy of Stacey, anything but.
 Works Cited

American Library Association. Most Challenged Books. ALA, 2009. Web. 31 Mar. 2019.

American Library Association. Most Challenged Books. ALA, 2014. Web. 31 Mar. 2019.

American Library Association. Starred Review. ALA, 2018. Web. 31 Mar. 2019.

Chbosky, Stephen. The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Feiwel & Friends , 2015.

Cormier, Robert. The Chocolate War. Ember, 1974.

Eliot, T.S. The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock. Poets.org, https://www.poets.org/poetsorg/poem/love-song-j

-alfred-prufrock.

“Finding Audrey cover.” Penguin Random House, www.penguinrandomhouse.com.

Jack, Gordon. Your Own Worst Enemy. Harper Teen, 2018.

Kinsella, Sophie. Finding Audrey. Delacorte Press, 2015.

Painchaud, Michelle. Pretending to be Erica. Viking, 2015.

“Pretending to be Erica cover.” Penguin Random House, www.penguinrandomhouse.com.

School Library Journal. Best Books of the Year SLJ, 1974. Web. Apr. 10 2019.

Shesman, Jennifer. Stages of Literacy Appreciation. PowerPoint. Web 26 Mar. 2019.

“The Chocolate War cover.” Penguin Random House, www.penguinrandomhouse.com.

“The Perks of Being a Wallflower cover.” Simon and Schuster, www.simonandschuster.com.

Young Adult Library Services. Best Book for Young Adults. ALA, 2000. Web. 31 Mar. 2019.

Young Adult Library Services. Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers. ALA, 2000. Web. 31 Mar. 2019.

Young Adult Library Services. Mystery List. ALA, 2016. Web. 31 Mar. 2019.

Young Adult Library Services. Popular Paperbacks List. ALA, 2017. Web. 31 Mar. 2019.

Young Adult Library Services. Realistic Fiction List. ALA, 2017. Web. 31 Mar. 2019.

Young Adult Library Services. Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers. ALA, 2016. Web. 17 Mar. 2019.

“Your Own Worst Enemy cover.” Harper and Collins, www.harpercollins.com.