<em>Accent</em> news article "For the Author, It Feels Like a Personal Insult"
<em>The Worcester Telegraph</em> article discusses censorship attempts of Cormier's novels and Cormier's response to how censors work.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Gail+Ciampa">Gail Ciampa</a>
Robert Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
3 July 1982
Elise Takehana, Anna Consalvo
JPG, newsprint
English
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Newspaper+article">Newspaper article</a>
Autobiographical sketch draft
This draft describes how Cormier shared a draft of <em>The Chocolate War</em> with his 15-year-old daughter to test Fabio Coen's idea that the excised chapter is unnecessary to the story. He then expresses his thanks for his network of supporters and family.
<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
Elise Takehana, Anna Consalvo
<a href="https://cormiercensorship.omeka.net/items/show/26"><em>The ChocolateWar </em>Removed Chapter</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=Draft">Draft</a>
Brett Rock and Mark Reeves' letter to school committee members
Two freshmen students write to the school committee defending <em>The Chocolate War</em>, refuting its power to incite students to challenge their parents and teachers. They ask the committee to trust in their students' judgment. The letter is signed by 38 other students.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Brett+Rock+and+Mark+Reeves">Brett Rock and Mark Reeves</a>
Robert Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
13 September 1975
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>
Conference talk in Australia
A speech on self-censorship and parenting serves as Cormier's response to censorship attempts of <em>The Chocolate War</em>.
<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
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=Marked+typescript+of+speech">Marked typescript of speech</a>
Debbie Denzer's letter to Robert Cormier 22 April 1994
Debbie Denzer shares her story of being fired for sharing a book about witchcraft with a student writing a paper on the topic. She admits her own disappointment in herself for previously dodging teaching Cormier's book for fear of falling into trouble.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Debbie+Denzer">Debbie Denzer</a>
Robert Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
22 April 1994
Elise Takehana, Anna Consalvo
<a href="https://cormiercensorship.omeka.net/items/show/42">Letter from Robert Cormier to Debbie Denzer 25 February 1983</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>
Dee Richardson's article "A High School Senior Meets Robert Cormier"
Richardson recounts a student's journal entries on <em>The Chocolate War</em> as he worked on a paper on censorship of Cormier's work. The article includes portions of Paul's letter to Cormier and Cormier's complete response. Richardson closes on the importance of literature as a tool to connect people.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Dee+Richardson">Dee Richardson</a>
<em>Oklahoma English Journal: A Publication of the Oklahoma Council of Teachers of English</em> Fall 1997 Volume 12, Number 1. Issue titled "YA and Children's Literature"
Robert Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
Fall 1997
Elise Takehana, Anna Consalvo
17 x 11 paper staple bound, 8.5 x 11 pages
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>
Kathy Barry's article "Author Cormier rejects conservative trend of banning books"
Barry details significant censored novels as a context for Cormier's <em>The Chocolate War</em>. The article also talks about how censors focus on the words over the meaning of a text.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Kathy+Barry">Kathy Barry</a>
Robert Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
6 September 1984
Elise Takehana, Anna Consalvo
JPG, newsprint
English
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=newspaper+article">newspaper article</a>
Letter from Robert Cormier to Ann Brndiar 26 October 1996
Robert Cormier explains what factors may help a young student be more prepared to read <em>The Chocolate War</em>. He discusses the praise students have for the book and the objections parents find in his work.
<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
26 October 1996
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>
Letter from Robert Cormier to Annie, Safa, et al. 25 February 1987
Robert Cormier writes to a class about how a character's development follows inevitable paths. He also addresses how the sequel to <em>The Chocolate War</em> aims to address readers' questions. Cormier later discusses the dangers of precautionary self-censorship writers participate in to be published.
<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
25 February 1987
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>
Letter from Robert Cormier to Art 17 January 1987
Cormier responds to Art's concerns about the Salem censorship battle by describing the Panama City censorship of <em>I Am the Cheese.</em> The idea of protecting children through censorship and precautionary censorship makes up a large portion of the letter.
<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
17 January 1987
Elise Takehana, Anna Consalvo
JPG, 8.5 x 11 onion skin
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>
Letter from Robert Cormier to Debbie Denzer
Cormier discusses his feelings of helplessness in censorship battles. He also expresses his admiration for the teachers and librarians who support his writing and share it with young readers.
<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
Elise Takehana, Anna Consalvo
<a href="https://cormiercensorship.omeka.net/items/show/41">Debbie Denzer's letter to Robert Cormier 22 April 1994</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>
Letter from Robert Cormier to Deborah Fones 14 December 1986
This incomplete document includes Cormier's explanation for why a writer cannot consider a reader's response while writing because it risks producing bland work.
<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 December 1986
Elise Takehana, Anna Consalvo
<a href="https://cormiercensorship.omeka.net/items/show/45">Deborah Fones' letter to Robert Cormier 26 September 1986</a>
8.5 x 11 onion skin
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>
Letter from Robert Cormier to Gloria 26 January 1987
Cormier summarizes a number of censorship attacks on his books in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Florida. He also mentions how he responds to censorship attempts of his work.
<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
26 January 1987
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>
Letter from Robert Cormier to Jan Wallace
Thanks and commiseration with a teacher facing a censorship battle.
<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
Elise Takehana, Anna Consalvo
<a href="https://cormiercensorship.omeka.net/items/show/10">Jan Wallace's letter to Robert Cormier 13 Oct. 1991</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>
Letter from Robert Cormier to Liz 10 June 1995
Cormier discusses the futility of censorship in protecting children from the world.
<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
10 June 1995
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>