Virginia Beesley's letter to Robert Cormier
Virginia Beesley's typewritten two-page letter to Robert Cormier is an emotional epistle of her reading of <em>After the First Death</em>. She conveys both anger at Cormier for writing the book and admiration for writing it so skillfully. It is not clear whether she read it as part of a class or on her own.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Virginia+Beesley">Virginia Beesley</a>
Robert Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
27 October 1993
Elise Takehana, Anna Consalvo
JPG, 8.5 x 11 paper
English
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Letter">Letter</a>
Jamie Lavender's letter to Robert Cormier
In this one-page, typed letter by Jamie Lavender, a high school student living in Lakewood, New Jersey, and dated 20 October 1983, the writer wrestles with the question of the purpose of fiction. S/he believes it is to "free the mind" not "burden" it with thoughts of terrorism as she experienced while reading <em>After the First</em> <em>Death</em>. S/he struggles to reconcile the competing views of his/herself and those of his/her teacher.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Jamie+Lavender">Jamie Lavender</a>
Robert Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
20 October 1983
Elise Takehana, Anna Consalvo
JPG, 8.5 x 11 paper
English
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Letter">Letter</a>
Alyssa O'Brien's letter to Robert Cormier
In this three-page, handwritten letter by 12-year-old Alyssa O'Brien, the reader is introduced to a thoughtful young woman who has read several of Cormier's books twice or more in the interest of better understanding a book as time goes by. That she has a well-developed and agentive literate life is evident in her introduction where she identifies not only as a reader but as a writer. Furthermore, she carefully outlined a plan to introduce her friend, Chrissy, to Cormier's books. Her intent is to build Chrissy's readerly strength by prescribing an order - <em>8+1</em>, and on finally ending with <em>After The First Death</em> at the very end.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Alyssa+O%27Brien">Alyssa O'Brien</a>
Robert Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
13 April 1985
Elise Takehana, Anna Consalvo
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/57" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Robert Cormier's response to Alyssa</a></p>
JPG, 8.5 x 11 lined paper
English
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Letter">Letter</a>
Sally-Anne Whyatt's letter to Robert Cormier
<p>In this hand-written letter, Sally-Anne shares with Cormier a number of quotes from <em>After the First Death</em> 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 do with the dream sequences. She poses specific questions with the goal of understanding the answers and better teaching her students. She closes with just a few questions about <em>I Am the Cheese</em>.</p>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Sally-Anne+Whyatt">Sally-Anne Whyatt</a>
Robert Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
Elise Takehana, Anna Consalvo, Katy Covino
<a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/105" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Robert Cormier's response to Sally-Anne</a>
JPG, 8.5 x 11 paper
English
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Letter">Letter</a>
"The Reader and the Text: Transaction and Reaction in Cormier's <em>After the First Death</em>"
<p>In this scholarly article, written by Hugh Agee and Eugenia Vazey, the authors explore the narrative ambiguity of <em>After the First Death</em> through the lens of student responses. Drawing from writing produced by his college class of English education majors, Agee and his co-author draw upon Louise Rosenblatt's transactional theory and address the personal dimension of the literary transactional experience. Specifically, they contrast the author's intention with the reader's personal response and interpretation. That is to say, where two interpretations are possible, what should hold sway - the author's plan or the reader's feelings? Agee's conclusion - the best interpretation is based on textual evidence.</p>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Hugh+Agee%2C+Eugenia+Veazey">Hugh Agee, Eugenia Veazey</a>
Focus: Teaching English Language Arts Volume 18 Number 2
Robert Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
Spring 1992
Elise Takehana, Anna Consalvo, Katy Covino
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/111" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hugh Agee's letter to Robert Cormier</a></p>
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/112" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Robert Cormier's draft response to Hugh Agee</a></p>
JPG, 8.5 x 11 paper
English
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Journal+article">Journal article</a>
Mrs. Barbara Anti letter to Robert Cormier
Mrs. Anti writes of her students' interest and enthusiasm for Robert Cormier's book <em>After the First Death</em>. She invites him to speak to the class, promising a captivated audience, gas mileage, and school lunch.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Mrs.+Barbara+Anti">Mrs. Barbara Anti</a>
Robert Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
Elise Takehana, Anna Consalvo
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/56" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Robert Cormier's letter to Mrs. Anti</a></p>
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/106">Robert Cormier's response to Mrs. Anti's class</a></p>
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/70" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mrs. Anti's Class Project "Hallowell Highlights"</a></p>
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/128" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Belinda Lothrop letter to Robert Cormier 25 October 1988</a></p>
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/129" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">David Key letter to Robert Cormier </a></p>
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/130" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Denise Concheri letter to Robert Cormier</a></p>
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/131" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jamie Argento letter to Robert Cormier</a></p>
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/132" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kimberly Dawes letter to Robert Cormier</a></p>
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/133" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kristi Kozak letter to Robert Cormier</a></p>
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/134" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kristin Doton letter to Robert Cormier</a></p>
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/135" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Michael Ryan letter to Robert Cormier</a></p>
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/137" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pamela Carpenter letter to Robert Cormier</a></p>
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/138" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rachel Flynn letter to Robert Cormier</a></p>
<a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/139" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stephanie Synder letter to Robert Cormier</a>
TIF, 8.5 x 11 letterhead paper
English
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Letter">Letter</a>
Rachel Flynn letter to Robert Cormier
Rachel shares her enthusiasm for <em>After the First Death</em> and her curiosity regarding points of confusion in the novel, which she hopes he will discuss in a class visit. She mentions the fun the class had producing the newspaper project.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Rachel+Flynn">Rachel Flynn</a>
Robert Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
Elise Takehana, Anna Consalvo
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/56" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Robert Cormier's letter to Mrs. Anti</a></p>
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/106">Robert Cormier's response to Mrs. Anti's class</a></p>
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/70" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mrs. Anti's Class Project "Hallowell Highlights"</a></p>
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/128" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Belinda Lothrop letter to Robert Cormier 25 October 1988</a></p>
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/129" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">David Key letter to Robert Cormier </a></p>
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/130" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Denise Concheri letter to Robert Cormier</a></p>
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/131" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jamie Argento letter to Robert Cormier</a></p>
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/132" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kimberly Dawes letter to Robert Cormier</a></p>
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/133" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kristi Kozak letter to Robert Cormier</a></p>
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/134" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kristin Doton letter to Robert Cormier</a></p>
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/135" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Michael Ryan letter to Robert Cormier</a></p>
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/136" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mrs. Barbara Anti letter to Robert Cormier </a></p>
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/137" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pamela Carpenter letter to Robert Cormier</a></p>
<a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/139" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stephanie Synder letter to Robert Cormier</a>
TIF, 8.5 x 11 letterhead paper
English
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Letter">Letter</a>
Stephanie Synder letter to Robert Cormier
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.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Stephanie+Synder">Stephanie Synder</a>
Robert Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
Elise Takehana, Anna Consalvo
<a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/56" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Robert Cormier's letter to Mrs. Anti</a>
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/106">Robert Cormier's response to Mrs. Anti's class</a></p>
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/70" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mrs. Anti's Class Project "Hallowell Highlights"</a></p>
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/128" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Belinda Lothrop letter to Robert Cormier 25 October 1988</a></p>
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/129" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">David Key letter to Robert Cormier </a></p>
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/130" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Denise Concheri letter to Robert Cormier</a></p>
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/131" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jamie Argento letter to Robert Cormier</a></p>
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/132" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kimberly Dawes letter to Robert Cormier</a></p>
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/133" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kristi Kozak letter to Robert Cormier</a></p>
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/134" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kristin Doton letter to Robert Cormier</a></p>
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/135" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Michael Ryan letter to Robert Cormier</a></p>
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/136" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mrs. Barbara Anti letter to Robert Cormier </a></p>
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/137" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pamela Carpenter letter to Robert Cormier</a></p>
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/138" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rachel Flynn letter to Robert Cormier</a></p>
TIF, 8.5 x 11 letterhead paper
English
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Letter">Letter</a>