Robert Cormier (1925-2000) was an American author, columnist and reporter. His books delve into themes of abuse, mental illness, violence, revenge, betrayal and conspiracy. His best known book, Chocolate War, which was published and won several awards in 1974, has been challenged for its language, depictions of sexual activity, secret societies, and anarchic students. Cormier’s other best sellers include I Am the Cheese, Tunes for Bears to Dance To, and We All Fall Down. Cormier died in 2000 due to lung cancer.