- Father of four; three daughters and a son.
- Has ten grandchildren.
- Knew he wanted to be a writer after writing his first poem at age 12.
- His novel "The Chocolate War" is one of the most frequently banned books, and is constantly under attack from censorship groups.
- Wrote personal responses to letters he received from readers.
- In the eighth grade, he watched from a classroom window as his house caught fire and burned.
- Wrote commercials for a local radio station.
- Received countless phone calls when his phone number was used as Amy Hertz's phone number in his novel "I am the Cheese".
- His hometown, Leominster, was often portrayed in his novels, but was called Monument.
- Parents were Lucien and Irma Cormier.
- Attended Fitchburg State College (1943-1944).
- Won the Margaret A. Edwards award for novels "The Chocolate War", "I am the Cheese", and "After the First Death".
- Was a journalist for 30 years at several newspapers, including the Worcester Telegram and Gazette, and the Fitchburg Sentinel.
- Published his first novel in 1960 ("Now and at the Hour"), but his first young adult novel (for which he is best known) was published in 1974 ("The Chocolate War").
- Is French Canadian.
- Is the second of eight children.
- His first poems were published in the Leominster Daily Enterprise.
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