This article summarizes a lecture Cormier gave at UCLA in which he explores the origin of the dark and sometimes-violent tone of his books. He recounts facing bullies as a child, experiencing death during childhood, and feeling the effects of…
In this portrait of Cormier for the Middlesex News, Lisa Alcock touches on the highlights of Cormier's career and explores the gritty realism that helps Cormier's work connect with young readers. She devotes considerable space to the newly-released…
This article highlights Cormier's generosity with his readers, as he answers a Lafayette, Louisiana school's questions about his novel I Am the Cheese. Students remark on the impact of talking to a living author as a real person.
This 1995 Publisher's Weekly article examines the rise in popularity of suspense and horror books among middle-grade readers. "But it's all fear, isn't it?" Cormier says succinctly at a panel dedicated to the subject, referring to the everyday fears…
In this John Fitch IV column, Cormier explores the growth trajectory of his daughter from childhood to adolescence, this time through the lens of her last Christmas party and her evolving views about Santa Claus. Ironically, the writer seems to be…
In this somewhat playful John Fitch IV column Cormier reviews the latest edition of the stylebook coauthored by the AP and UPI. In his review he revisits the question of gender, praising the guide's approach as common sense even if not…
In this John Fitch IV column Cormier profiles Norma Klein, a writer for both children and adults and a self-avowed feminist. Cormier praises her character, sums up her writing career, and shares a bit about her personal background, which he notes…
In this John Fitch IV column Cormier shares stories of his daughter as she turns 10, "a magic moment in life, poised between childhood and adolescence." Still obsessed with horses, she is now also becoming aware of fashion and her own appearance.…
In this John Fitch IV column Cormier tells the touching story of his daughter's concern over the treatment of horses on television. He urges her to write a letter to the organization, which she reluctantly does, and is amazed when she receives a…
In this John Fitch IV column, Cormier finds common humanity in comparing his own daughter with the daughter of newly-inaugurated president Jimmy Carter. He interviews his own daughter about the inauguration and recounts her forthright responses.
In this John Fitch column Cormier examines te sifting definitions of our culture's heroes, wondering why, for instance, the likes of Julia Child and Andy Warhol made a recent list. He concludes, however, that our choice of heroes ultimately reflects…
In this John Fitch IV column, Cormier laments the commodification of our heroes. Citing the example of the legendary Joe DiMaggio selling coffee makers, he argues that this consumerism robs our heroes of their mystery and mystique and that television…
As with many of his Christmas columns, Cormier addresses the idea of Santa, Christmas magic, and the innocence of childhood. He admits never telling a child that Santa is not real but cannot defend his existence, just as faith or a joke cannot be…
Here Cormier talks about his young daughter's recent interest in horses. First, he outlines some of her past interests - medicine, veterinary medicine, thoughts about becoming a jockey. Then, he shares her passion for horses and riding. He thinks…
In this piece, Cormier recounts how he received a letter from Gloria Steinem advertising the magazine, Ms. He reveals his consistent (if somewhat ambivalent) take on feminism. On the one hand, he states "I have never hidden the fact that I am an…