Robert Cormier

Robert Edmund Cormier (January 17, 1925 – November 2, 2000) was an American writer and journalist from Leominster, Massachusetts. Known for his deeply pessimistic novels, many of which were written for young adults, Cormier explored recurring themes of abuse, mental illness, violence, revenge, betrayal, and conspiracy. His popular works include I Am the Cheese, After the First Death, We All Fall Down, and The Chocolate War, which have received numerous awards. Born in the French-Canadian section of Leominster, Cormier was the second of eight children. Although his family frequently moved to afford rent, they never left his hometown. Cormier often used Leominster as the inspiration for fictional towns in his books.