Crossley, Karen

LS521 Sum02

June 9, 2002

Link Bibliography Activity

Robert Cormier Bibliography

All sites visited June 9-12, 2002

Below is a list of sites designed to provide information and resources to educators about the young adult author Robert Cormier, his life, career and books. Teachers, librarians and other adults can use this information to motivate students to read and understand Cormier’s challenging books.

Robert Cormier, the man

Random House Author Spotlight: Robert Cormier – Basically an obituary, listing important events in Cormier’s life. http://www.randomhouse.com/kids/author/cormier.html

Robert Cormier Biography – A college professor, Dr. Wally Hastings, has written this detailed biography of Robert Cormier. http://lupus.northern.edu:90/hastingw/cormier.html

Robert Cormier, Dead at 75 – A brief obituary that focuses on the contradictions between Cormier’s life and his books. http://slj.reviewsnews.com/index.asp?layout=articleArchive&articleId=CA153399&display=searchResults&stt=001

Articles about Cormier and his books

Duel at High Noon: A Replay of Cormier’s Works – This comprehensive, scholarly article discusses Cormier’s beliefs and attitudes, how they are incorporated in some of his books, and the influences which may have contributed to his rather controversial writing for young adults. http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/ejournals/ALAN/winter94/Headley.html#West

Ask the Author: Cormier – Robert Cormier’s life is discussed in this plainly written article, Robert Cormier’s life is presented, with many quotes from him. The “Frequently Asked Questions” section is fascinating, with specific and interesting answers from Cormier about his books. (This would be of great use in a book talk.) http://www.ipl.org/youth/AskAuthor/Cormier.html

Author/Illustrator: Robert Cormier – This article reveals a lot of information about Cormier’s life, along with some comments about his books and a very brief interview with Cormier. http://www.randomhouse.com/teachers/authors/corm.html

The Author Corner: Robert Cormier – A brief biography of Robert Cormier appears on this site. There are links to a listing of all his books (His Books), and a listing of other information, including a few bibliographical references, prizes won and books adapted for other media (Other Information). The “Other Web Sites” section has links that are outdated. http://ccpl.carr.lib.md.us/mae/cormier/cormier.htm

Interviews with Cormier

Conversations: Beyond the Shadows of Robert Cormier – In this 1996 interview, Cormier discusses his writing, themes and characters, along with opinions about the profession of being a writer. http://www.writes.org/conversations/conver_4.html

Robert Cormier, July 2000 – This fascinating interview, presented in two parts, mostly discusses Cormier’s life, career and ways of writing. Little discussion is made about his specific books or other writings. http://www.achuka.co.uk/special/cormier01.htm

Robert Cormier Meets Melvin Burgess – In this July 2000 discussion/interview, the same questions about their writing are posed to both Robert Cormier and Melvin Burgess. http://www.achuka.co.uk/special/cormburg.htm

Conversing with Robert Cormier – In this 1998 interview by Amazon.com, Cormier discusses his writing, books, themes and characters. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ts/feature/5191/002-4583631-1020857

Lesson Plans/Ideas for Teaching about Cormier’s books

“Forever Pedaling the Road to Realism” – Robert Cormier’s World in the High School Literature Classroom – This very detailed page gives a rationale for a high school unit studying Robert Cormier’s books, and “sets out to explore possible approaches to teaching Robert Cormier's novels and short stories and discover the world of the author together with your students.” http://www.uiowa.edu/~english/profpage/blandon/tlucht/lit-teachingcormier.html#Anchor1

Web English Teacher – Robert Cormier – This very helpful page contains links to other sites focusing on teaching ideas, discussion questions and lesson plans about these books written by Cormier: After the First Death, The Chocolate War, Heroes, I Am the Cheese, In the Middle of the Night, and We all Fall Down. http://www.webenglishteacher.com/cormier.html

Reading Group Guide: Tenderness – A general description of the book “Tenderness” is followed by 19 detailed discussion questions about the book. Links on this page lead to a biographical sketch of Cormier, and an interview about this book.

Reviews of Cormier’s works

After the First Death – A review of Cormier’s third book “After the First Death”, with ideas for issues to be raised in a literature class. http://www.uiowa.edu/~english/profpage/blandon/tlucht/lit-yadeath.html

Teenreads.com Review – The Rag and Bone Shop – A very readable review of Cormier’s last book, “The Rag and Bone Shop.” From this page, there are links to reviews of nine other Cormier books. http://www.teenreads.com/reviews/0385729626.asp