This book is considered a classic of young adult literature, so we read it as part of my young adult literature class. I had a hard time getting through it. The plot of the book is actually pretty simple: there's a chocolate sale at a Catholic boys' school to raise funds, and Jerry refuses to participate in the sale. Meanwhile, the Vigils, the school's secret society, bully Jerry psychologically and physically. I was not very interested in the story, and I couldn't relate to the characters very much. The violence upset me, and so did the ending. I realize not every book is going to have a happy ending, but I wish this one would have included a little more hope at the end at least. On a positive note, I think this book is still relevant today because of its themes of peer pressure, bullying, and abuse of power.It could create some great discussions among teens if studied in the classroom or during a book group. I also liked the author's writing style, and I liked that he told the story from several different characters' points of view. I can see why it's considered a classic, but personally, I did not enjoy it.
Rating: 2/5
This review is cross-posted on goodreads.
