Robert Cormier's response to Maura Fabrice
In his letter to Maura Fabrice, Robert Cormier talks about using The Avenger character in <em>We All Fall Down</em> as a suspense device. He also talks about Buddy and Jane, the inevitability of the last scene, and how "heartbreaking" it was for him to write. He encouraged her to keep reading.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Robert+Cormier">Robert Cormier</a>
Robert Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
27 October 1997
Elise Takehana, Anna Consalvo
<a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/90" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Maura Fabrice's letter to Robert Cormier</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>
Maura Fabrice's letter to Robert Cormier
Maura Fabrice from Thornton, Pennsylvania, wrote a two-page typed fan letter on 3 Oct. 1997, addressed to Robert Cormier at Dell Publishers. She tells him that she is a high school student and has just read her first book by him, <em>We All Fall Down</em>. She is intrigued by the combination of romance and suspense that Cormier creates.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Maura+Fabrice">Maura Fabrice</a>
Robert Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
3 October 1997
Elise Takehana, Anna Consalvo
<a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/91" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Robert Cormier's response to Maura Fabrice</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>
Robert Cormier's response to Jennifer Cowan
In his two-page "random" response to Jennifer Cowan, as one of several (or more) classmates who wrote, Robert Cormier reveals that <em>After the First Death</em> is told from the point of view of Ben's father. He refers to a pamphlet he enclosed and hoped that would answer some of the questions she and others of her classmates entertained.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Robert+Cormier">Robert Cormier</a>
Robert Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
8 May 1986
Elise Takehana, Anna Consalvo
<a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/80" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jennifer Cowan's letter to Robert Cormier</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>
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>
Robert Cormier's response to Hall Alexander
<p>In this one-page, typed response to Hall Alexander, dated May 7, 2000, Robert Cormier explains one of the plot knots that Hall had queried him about regarding <em>We All Fall Down</em><em>.</em> Cormier describes a trail of consistent characters' reactions given the circumstances in which he put them. Always an advocate for an active reading life, Cormier encourages Hall's continued enjoyment and deep consideration of books.</p>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Robert+Cormier">Robert Cormier</a>
Robert Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
7 May 2000
Elise Takehana, Anna Consalvo
<a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/74" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hall Alexander's letter to Robert Cormier</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>
Hall Alexander's letter to Robert Cormier
<p>This two-page, typed, undated fan letter to Robert Cormier comes from a high school student, Hall Alexander of Ottowa, Kansas. Hall is very caught up in <em>We All Fall Down</em>. He has questions about both events and characters and he has opinions, as well. He is not writing as part of a school project but appears to have written on his own. In many ways, Hall epitomizes the engaged reader.</p>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Hall+Alexander">Hall Alexander</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/75" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Robert Cormier's response to Hall Alexander</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>
Kenneth Melnick's letter to Robert Cormier 29 Nov 1981
This three-page typed letter on personalized stationery, written by ninth-grader Kenneth Melnick to Robert Cormier, dated 29 November 1981 is a series of specific questions about <em>After the First Death</em>. Kenneth has discussed his questions with both his English teacher and his mother who may have read the book, as well. Furthermore, Kenneth extends a generous invitation to Cormier to visit his school with all expenses paid.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Kenneth+Melnick">Kenneth Melnick</a>
Robert Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
29 November 1981
Elise Takehana, Anna Consalvo
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/72" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kenneth Melnick's letter to Robert Cormier 10 Dec 1981</a></p>
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/73" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hallowell Headline Mrs. Gottenfeld's Class Project</a></p>
JPG, stationary
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>
Jonathan Osborne's letter to Robert Cormier
In this two-page typed letter from 13-year-old Jonathan Osborne, of Alabama, dated 19 April 2000, he explains the project he is working on for school and asks Robert Cormier a series of interview questions. He requests that Cormier, if possible, reply quickly because of the due date of his project. The books he has read and wants to report on include <em>Heroes, The Chocolate War, </em>and<em> We All Fall Down</em>.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Jonathan+Osborne">Jonathan Osborne</a>
Robert Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
19 April 2000
Elise Takehana, Anna Consalvo
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/68" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ryan Dvorak's letter to Robert Cormier</a></p>
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/141" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Daniel Lowe's letter to Robert Cormier 20 April 2000</a></p>
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/69" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Robert Cormier's response to Daniel Lowe, Jonathan Osborne, and Ryan Dvorak</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=Letter">Letter</a>
Brooke Hausman and Carly Meltzer's letter to Robert Cormier
Two seventh-grade girls wrote to Robert Cormier expressing admiration for his work, and some of their early confusion in reading his works, <em>In the Middle of the Night</em>, and<em> We All Fall Down</em>, especially his use of non-chronological narrative structure. They also ask questions that attempt to connect their observations of his writing with his personal life.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Brooke+Hausman+and+Carly+Meltzer">Brooke Hausman and Carly Meltzer</a>
Robert Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
10 March 1998
Elise Takehana, Anna Consalvo
<a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/61" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Robert Cormier's response to Brooke Hausman and Carly Meltzer</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>
Robert Cormier's response to Brooke Hausman and Carly Meltzer
In this one-page typed letter dated April 14, 1998, from Robert Cormier to Brooke Hausman and Carly Meltzer, he shares his writing technique of "gradual release," that it takes him 1.5 to 2 years to write a book, and that emotions are the engine for him. He advises here that would-be writers must "read, read, read" and write daily because "practice makes perfect." He says that he thinks he has received a lot of correspondence from students at their school, but "evidently" had misplaced it. He asked the girls to convey his best to classmates and that he would reply when the letters turn up.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Robert+Cormier">Robert Cormier</a>
Robert Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
14 April 1998
Elise Takehana, Anna Consalvo
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/62" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brooke Hausman and Carly Meltzer's letter to Robert Cormier</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=Letter">Letter</a>