I+am+the+Cheese+by+Robert+Cormier+3

//The Cheese is Alone//
//"I stood there with all that immensity of space around//   //me in center field and I felt as though I'd be swept off the face of the planet, into space"// Robert Cormier introduces his novel with vivid language use and descriptions. He sweeps the reader off of their feet and into the novel within the first page. Confused, and in a state of panic the reader is imm  ediately swept into  [|Robert Cormier's] novel //I am the Cheese.// An adventure has begun from the first page of the novel and the reader must shift from past to present in the flip of a page. As the time is shifting within the text so is the form of writing, from the telling of a story to straight dialogue. The reader learns this mysterious [|protagonist character] goes by the name of "Adam Farmer", and that they will be accompanying Adam on his search for his past and his father. One of the first lines of the [|novel] sets the scene for the pages and chapters to follow: "It's cold as I pedal along, the wind like a snake slithering up my sleeves and into my jacket and my pant legs, too. But I keep pedaling, I keep pedaling" (1). The novel involves the continous bike riding of Adam as the twists and turns of his past slowly begin unfolding. As the plot thickens we as the readers learn Adam is not who he says he is (rather Paul Delmonte), and the therapist with whom the dialogue (and continuous prying of questions) is taking place is not a therapist.
 * Robert Cormier. I am the Cheese. New York: Random House, 1977.**

Where then is the novel heading? Robert Cormier, as if sensing this, grasps the readers attention with each plot twist (such as where is Adam really, and are his parents really alive and who they say they are?). The author captures the audiences attention through the continous revolving of the plot as the reader must keep progressing along with each stage Adam goes through. One must be prepared to be confused as names change, people's identities shift, and flaskbacks are mingled in with what we believe to be the present. Robert Cormier's novel remains unique from other young adult novels. He is not afraid to express violence (the death of a parent), psychological problems (the therapist and hospital), or child and teen independence (Adam "living" and "residing" at places on his own). Cormier's honesty and use of events and scenes relatable to teens makes the novel a must read. The interesting selection of characters and the detailed descriptions of their lives will keep the reader turning the pages from the beginning when Adam is alone and pedaling to his termination in the end.

**Recommendations for Teachers** A book about the struggles we face in life and self discovery, //I am the Cheese//, is a fresh novel for the classroom. Not every student may be facing a difficult time in their life, or a period of self growth, but for those who are it is a relatable novel which may keep the students interested and actually enjoy reading. The writing changes from story format to dialogue, and thus is a postive challenge for students when reading the novel. The students are kept on their toes with the flip of each page as they must transition from past to present. Dealing with the issues of the death of Adam's parents is an aspect of teaching this book that would most likely start some interesting discussions in a class. Teachers should be aware that although some students have had little or no first hand experience with parental death, others might have, and this could be problematic. However, if dealt with in the right way, different experiences among students could create a good opportunity for them to share their thoughts, and thereby offer a unique learning environment in which they can learn from each other and participate in the process of reading the book. It is postive that this book deals with difficult issues which other novels may choose to avoid. It is a good lesson for the students to discuss in class and read about issues which can sometimes be difficult to handle. = = Born on January 17, 1925, Robert Edmund Cormier would become a renowned but controversial author in his life time. He was the second born in a large family of eight in Leominster, Massachusetts. Because his family was so large his parents Lucien and Irma were forced to move the family from home to home in order to afford rent.
 * About Robert Cormier**

Even as a young child Cormier was praised for his writing. In the first grade at St. Cecilia's Parochial School he was first noticed for his poetry. Throughout the rest of his K-12 school career Cormier continued to take an interest in writing, and he later attended Fitchburg State College to study his passion.

[|Robert Cormier's]career began in journalism. Specifically, Cormier started out writing radio commercials and eventually moving to writing for his local newspaper. Throughout his career he continued to write for his local newspaper the //Fitchburg Sentinel//.

Although he wrote a few books before [|The Chocolate War]//,// Cormier's full time career as a young adult author really began after this book was published in 1974. From there he moved on to write //I am the Cheese// and many other novels. //The Chocolate War// remains to be one of the most controversial books for young adults for it's adult content and language.

On November 2, 2000, Robert Cormier died of lung cancer leaving behind his wife Connie and four children. He also left behind a great collection of children's literature.


 * Multimedia**

Below is a trailer from YouTube of the upcoming movie "I am the Cheese" which will be released July 31, 2009. media type="youtube" key="WP6rHXNUVy0&hl=en&fs=1" height="344" width="425"


 * Additional Resources:**
 * [|Robert Cormier on Wikipedia] - Here you can find out more information on the author
 * [|Robert Cormier Biography on Random House] - Check out this site for information on the author as well as a list of his work.
 * [|I am the Cheese on Wikipedia] - For a simple plot summary and other facts on the novel check out this link!
 * [|I am the Cheese Movie] - A review on the older 1983 version of the movie from the New York Times
 * [|A list of works by Robert Cormier] - Visit this link to see all the books by the author Robert Cormier
 * [|Robert Cormier Obituary] - A look at Robert Cormier's life upon his death on November 6, 2000
 * [|Interview with Robert Cormier] - One of the last interviews with Robert Cormier
 * [|National Mental Health Association (NMHA)] - A link to the National Mental Health Association for more information on depression and other mental health issues
 * [|American Psychological Association (APA)] - A link to the American Psychological Association for more information on depression and other mental health issues
 * [|Teen Line Hotline Help Center] - A link to the Teen Line Hotline Help Center for any young adult looking for someone to listen to them
 * [|Witness Protection Program on Wikipedia] - For information on the United States Federal Witness Protection Program visit this link
 * [|Witness Protection Program] - A link to the official U.S. Marshall's website for information on the Witness Protection Program