Consider that students would not be able to study Romeo and Juliet or any of Shakespeare’s works, Lord of the Flies, or Charles Dickens. Nearly all popular authors would be rules out, and there wouldn’t be much left; certainly nothing that students would find interesting.

The teacher was not telling students that it was alright to do those things, and the book contains valuable messages for students.

That being said, in our district The Chocolate War is usually considered a high school book. If your daughter is in an advanced class the teacher must think that she is mature enough to handle such themes. If you don’t think she is why don’t you consider changing her to a lower English class where she is less likely to encounter these books and themes?

Part of literature is getting people to open up their minds to new ideas and experiences, and just because a student reads about it doesn’t mean he/she will think it’s okay or go out and do it. I’m sure you’ve raised her better than that.

She is going to be studying topics such as this (and more violent and horrible) in history class, especially when studying wars and the Holocaust.

Literature is often controversial. Life is controversial. So what? Controversy such as this makes life more interesting, helps students grow, and engages her mind. What more can you ask from a book?

Why have your kid go to school if you don’t want her to be exposed to things that will make her use her brain? A lot of required literature has themes that certain people might object to, but most are books that all people should read. Which is why they’re on the REQUIRED READING lists.

There is a reason this particular book has been repeatedly identified as an outstanding young adult book. Perhaps you should read it yourself. Parents should keep up with what their kids are reading anyway.