Banned Books Week Contest: The Chocolate War

Banned Books Banner

Since it’s after midnight, it is technically Friday – and that means my first contest! In honour of Banned Books Week taking over my blog starting Saturday, I thought I would giveaway a copy of The Chocolate War by by Robert Cormier.

The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier
ISBN – 13: 978-0-440-94459-1
Published: August 1, 1986
Publisher: Random House Children’s Books

Stunned by his mother’s recent death and appalled by the way his father sleepwalks through life, Jerry Renault, a New England high school student, ponders the poster in his locker – Do I dare disturb the universe?

Part of his universe is Archie Costello, leader of a secret school society – the Virgils – and master of intimidation. Archie himself is intimidated by a cool, ambitious teacher into having the Virgils spearhead the annual fund-raising event – a chocolate sale. When Jerry refuses to be bullied into selling chocolates, he becomes a hero, but his defiance is a threat to Archie, the Virgils, and the school. In the inevitable showdown, Archie’s skill at intimidation turns Jerry from hero to outcast to victim, leaving him alone and terribly vulnerable.

The American Library Association has listed The Chocolate War in it’s Top Ten Most Challenged Books of the Year for 2001 (#3), 2002 (#3), 2004 (#1), 2005 (#4), 2006 (#10), and 2007 (#2). The book did not make the top 10 in 2008 but was still on the list.

The most common reasons suggested in the challenges for the The Chocolate War are: offensive language, derogatory slang terms, sexually explicit, violence, unsuited to age group, and religious viewpoint.

RULES/HOW TO ENTER

– Open to anyone in Canada or the United States
– Leave a comment on this post (with an e-mail address would be nice)
– Contest closes Saturday October 3rd, 2009
– Winner will be picked by a random number generator and announced on Sunday October 4th
– Winner will be notified by e-mail on Sunday. If you do not leave an e-mail address, you have 24 hours from the time I announce the winner to get in contact with me. After that, another winner will be picked.

CONTEST CLOSED