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.

1. T.S. Eliot “DO I DARE DISTURB THE UNIVERSE?”

2. attended Parochial School Nuns gave him a terrible time. In eighth grade, he watched from his classroom window as his own house caught fire and burned. Teacher refused to let him go to see if his family was safe until he had said the requisite prayers. Robert Cormier

3. Had first published poem in the 7 th grade Wrote commercials and worked as journalist First MAJOR novel was The Chocolate War in 1973. Robert Cormier

4. The Chocolate War won several awards including The New York Times “Outstanding Book of the Year.” Was made into a movie in 1988 Robert Cormier

5. criticized for bleak portrayals of adolescence Banned from some school libraries because of disturbing themes Robert Cormier CENSORED

6. QUOTES “ young people today are exposed to so much information, they are probably more demanding in terms of realism.” Robert Cormier

7. QUOTES “ a controversial book belongs in the classroom where it can be discussed, where a teacher can guide the students, where, in fact, a student can get up in class or write a paper saying that he or she doesn't like the book and objects to facets of it. That's the kind of freedom that we must preserve.” Robert Cormier

8. OTHER WORKS I Am The Cheese After The First Death Beyond the Chocolate War sequel to The Chocolate War Robert Cormier

9. Robert Cormier died in 2000 Robert Cormier