Browse Items (133 total)

%22The Santa Problem%22 John Fitch IV Column .jpeg
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…

%22Where Are The Heroes%22 John Fitch IV Column .jpeg
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…

%22And So On -- Heroes and Heroines%22 John Fitch IV Column .jpeg
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…

%22A Certain Child Is Interviewed%22 John Fitch IV Column .jpeg
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.

%22And Do On -- Letter To A Child%22 John Fitch IV Column .jpeg
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…

%22And So On -- Ten Years Old%22 John Fitch IV Column .jpeg
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.…

%22Writer and Feminist%22 John Fitch IV Column.jpeg
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…

%22And So On -- Words and Style%22 John Fitch IV Column.jpeg
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…

%22The Last Party%22 John Fitch IV Column.jpeg
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…

%22Children's Writers Plumb the Depths of Fear%22 Publisher's Weekly.jpeg
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…

%22English students go right to top with their questions%22 The Advertiser.jpeg
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.

%22Writer pens tough teen stories%22 Middlesex News.jpeg
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…

%22Frances Clarke Sayers Lecturer Shares Inner Darkness%22 GSE & IS Forum.jpeg
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…

%22On this day%22 Mass Moments.jpeg
This brief sketch celebrates Cormier's life and accomplishments on his birthday. Campbell comments on how such a kind man can write such dark novels because evil appears in all places, which Cormier took note of even in his small neighborhood of…

%22Robert Cormier London, July 2000%22 Achuka Special.jpeg
In this piece, Cormier recounts the "excruciating" experience of being bullied but counterbalances this terror with his serene picture of family life. Featuring prominently are comments on his father's work in the comb factories, his Irish and French…
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