The author discusses his modern classics The Chocolate War and I am the Cheese at his home in Massachusetts. -20 mins

{mgmediabot2}path=images/stories/video_clips/cormier.flv lightbox=true lightboxcaption=A Talk with Robert Cormier - Demo Clip lightboxpreview=images/stories/demobw.gif width=400 height=300 displayheight=300 playlist=none{/mgmediabot2}

{njaccess 18,25,36,37}

{mgmediabot2}path=images/stories/videos/cormier_384K.flv lightbox=true lightboxcaption=A Talk with Robert Cormier lightboxpreview=images/stories/lowerbw.gif width=400 height=300 displayheight=300 playlist=none{/mgmediabot2}

{mgmediabot2}path=images/stories/videos/cormier_1Mbps.flv lightbox=true lightboxcaption=A Talk with Robert Cormier lightboxpreview=images/stories/highbw.gif width=400 height=300 displayheight=300 playlist=none{/mgmediabot2}

{/njaccess}

{njaccess 0,29}Like what you see? Click here to Register for our
Free 2-Week Trial and get unlimited viewing of this program!{/njaccess}

{njaccess 18,36}Thank you for Registering for our Free 2-Week Trial.
We hope you'll decide to become a full-time member!{/njaccess}

{njaccess 38}We're sorry, but your Free 2-Week Trial has ended.
You will need to purchase a subscription to view this entire program.{/njaccess}

{njaccess 39}We're sorry, but your subscription has ended.
We hope you will come back and join us again soon!{/njaccess}

Topics for classroom discussion and assignments:

• Robert Cormier tells great stories, but doesn’t always give happy endings. Take a favorite story, novel, or even newspaper article and rewrite it with a sad or unhappy ending.

• Choose a page of a short story or novel. Rewrite it using different figures of speech such as metaphors, similes, alliteration, hyperbole, or anything to create exciting imagery and anticipation.

• Robert Cormier says that “familiarity brings a feeling of security.”  Write your interpretation of this statement. Essay question: What is familiar in your life and how does it make you feel secure?

•  Robert Cormier wrote a short story titled, The Little Things That Count. Brainstorm with the class about the little things that count to you. Then choose what you believe to be the two most important things from the list and write a short essay about them.

•  Robert Cormier talks about censorship and banned books.  Have the class discuss the author’s point of view on the topic. Next, ask your teacher or librarian to discuss your school district’s policy.

•  Discuss the first amendment to the Constitution. Write a newspaper editorial expressing your own views on censorship and banning books.