After The First Death

Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

1. Robert Cormier began his writing career as an award-winning journalist for the newspaper the Fitchburg Sentinel but became a full-time writer in 1960 after the success of his first novel, Now and at the Hour. For what kind of literature is this writer well known? How might his impact on readership be characterized?

Teaching Suggestion: This prompt will give students the opportunity to share their own knowledge about the work and legacy of Robert Cormier, widely regarded as one of the most influential YA authors of the 20th century. Students unfamiliar with this writer might use these or similar resources to learn about Cormier’s biography, story summaries, and legacy.

• The Guardian’s obituary for Robert Cormier gives an overview on his life and works.
• Robert Cormier passed away in 2000; his website offers a biography.

Differentiation Suggestion: For advanced learners, consider having them read an excerpt of a master’s degree thesis by Erik M. Walker, “Beyond the Problem Novel: Robert Cormier’s Vision and the World of Adolescent Tragedy.