File #273: "Robert Cormier's draft response to Raymond Wynter"

Robert Cormier's draft response to Raymond Wynter

In this drafted letter, Cormier responds to Raymond's questions. He explains that the idea for the novel came from an act of vandalism reported on the news. Specifically, he wanted to understand why kids from 'average' families would commit such crimes. Cormier closes the letter by describing the teenage years as a terrible and terrific time - a time for finding identity.

Robert Cormier

Elise Takehana, Annamary Consalvo, Katy Covino