The document provides biographical information about author Robert Cormier, including that his first major novel was The Chocolate War in 1973 which won several awards and was made into a movie. It also notes that Cormier was criticized for bleak portrayals of adolescence and some schools banned his books for disturbing themes. Quotes from Cormier are included where he discusses young people's exposure to information and the importance of discussing controversial books in the classroom.