Browse Items (78 total)

Wiz Letter177.jpg
Wiz (likely Craig Virden) writes with what sounds like a second round of comments on a typescript of Tunes for Bears to Dance To. He speaks at length on the village destruction scene and the role and impact of Henry's father. He also mentions…

Hudson letters051.jpg
In this short letter, Wayne Kent writers to Robert Cormier to ask him about where he found the information he used to portray the terrorist characters. He also compliments Cormier on the realism of the traumatic experiences he depicts. Kent concludes…

Beesley letter001.jpg
Virginia Beesley's typewritten two-page letter to Robert Cormier is an emotional epistle of her reading of After the First Death. She conveys both anger at Cormier for writing the book and admiration for writing it so skillfully. It is not clear…

Troyia Collis 16 Feb 1996 202.jpg
In this letter, Troyia writes to Robert Cormier to ask about the title of the novel, Tunes for Bears to Dance To. She also asks about his thoughts on prejudice. Further, she reflects on the personal strength needed for a young boy to refuse the offer…

Silver Lake Stephanie Synder lett047.tif
Stephanie formally invites Robert Cormier to visit Mrs. Anti's class and shares her faith in the author as the key to understanding a book's meaning.

Whyatt001.jpg
In this hand-written letter, Sally-Anne shares with Cormier a number of quotes from After the First Death exploring the idea that Mark and Ben are the same character. She also asks a number of questions that are left obscured in the novel - having to…

Ryan letter278.jpg
Ryan Dvorak, an eighth-grade student in Alabama, wrote to Robert Cormier on 15 April 2000. In his letter, he shares that Cormier's books move him and were the cause of his becoming a more avid reader because of the emotional pull of the books'…

Agee letter002.jpg
In this drafted letter, Robert Cormier responds to Agee's correspondence. He opens by sharing how impressed he is with the students' insights and interpretations. In a section that is largely penciled out and re-written, Cormier shares his…

Troyia Letter236.jpg
In response to Troyia, Robert Cormier explains the title of his piece. As he has in other letters, he explains how language can fall short as a tool of communication. He explains his views that while there is evil in the world, there is also good. In…

Steph letter001.jpg
In this letter to Mrs. Anti's class, Cormier answers many questions posed by the students. First, he outlines how he got the idea for the novel. As in other letters, Cormier cites his life as a news reporter and his proximity to Fort Devens - as…

Sally-Anne Letter239.jpg
In this letter to Sally-Anne, Robert Cormier discusses two of his novels. He talks first about the schizophrenic character in After the First Death and the guilt that arises from sacrifice. Additionally, he addresses patriotism, freedom, and…

Rosenzweig Letter237.jpg
In this letter to Ms. Rosenzweig's class of eighth-grade students, Cormier addresses many points. First, he explains the title of the book. Then, he looks at various characters, including Mr. Levine and Mr. Hairston. He discusses the influence of…

Rebecca letter001.jpg
In this drafted letter, Robert Cormier thanks Rebecca for her correspondence. He shares how glad he is that the novel has helped her to understand different viewpoints and perspectives. He explains how seeing something from another person's point of…

Robert Cormier's draft response to Raymond Wynter
In this drafted letter, Robert Cormier responds to Raymond Wynter'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…

Prentice letter001.jpg
Robert Cormier responds to Kevin's inquiries regarding the ideas for the novel, After the First Death. He cites three main sources of interest: 1) his home near Fort Devens and the possibility of a terrorist attack, 2) the Abraham-Isaac Bible story,…
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