Robert Cormier

A high-school freshman who refuses to participate in the annual fund-raising chocolate sale is forced to defend his convictions.

The Chocolate War

Lara Engle

This book is a disturbing glimpse into a school with a pervasive culture of bullying. As a teacher and a mother, the events of this book are a complete nightmare. The characters are mostly well-drawn, even if some are like cardboard cutouts of the fighter and the stooge. I suppose what's most disturbing is that a school could really be like this with selfish, narcissistic leadership. A country could, too.