I Am the Cheese

Now, I’m 56 and reading the books from my youth that greatly impacted me. There are very few books that I’ve read throughout my life which have shaken me to the core; those where it takes several minutes to shake myself loose from the dystopian world in which I’ve been immersed. Hello, Robert Cormier.This book along with Cormier’s.” After the First Death.” and “The Chocolate War”, are among the finest literature… be it young adult or not… that I have read to date. I suppose it was because none of the titles I mentioned have a warm and happy ending. Pretty much everyone dies… Teens and children. But that’s what the books taught me. Terrible things happen to young people and they die. It was this message that motivated me to start taking an interest in the bigger world. And if his books do nothing else, waking kids up to the wider world is exactly what a book should strive to do. And good Lord, thank God for author, such as this… teaching children of the horrors of the world is best done by others because, as a parent, I can’t stomach it.Every child, every teen and every adult could benefit from Cormier‘s messages , however bleak and disheartening they may be. These are exactly the kind of books I want my children to read.

Adam Farmer doesn't know who he is. His family life is a blur, loved ones are hazy recollections, and some days he can't even recall his own name. Yet, somewhere in the "blanks" of his past he senses a threatening mystery. I Am the Cheese by Robert Cormier (Dell, 1977) is a gripping account of a young man's search for self amidst unstable circumstances and untrustworthy alliances. Adam's tale takes the reader on an adventure spanning far beyond small town norms, encompassing conspiracies, double identities, fledgling government agencies, and corruption. Cormier's blend of interview sessions in tandem with Adam's first-hand recollections of his past and present allows the reader to untangle the layers of this mystery as the details make themselves known to Adam. In the midst of all this external drama, Cormier never forgets that Adam is still a teenager, grappling with the same issues as most teens. It is this factor that will surely keep young readers mesmerized. From Adam's touching memories of his first love, Amy Hertz, to the disillusionment he feels from mistrust of his parents, this thriller knocks the confusion and angst of teenage-dom with uncommon precision.

I read I am the Cheese because my 13 year old grandaughter, Carly, is reading it for her Language Arts class. By reading it, I have the opportunity to discuss the book with her. I enjoyed the book as did she. She is fortunate to have a creative teacher who has made the book come alive for her.

This was purchased as a required book for a college English class. The book is almost brand new. It was very well packaged and promply shipped. Thank you very much.

This book was a favorite of mine when I was a child. I purchased it for my granddaughter who found it to be a compelling read as well.

I read this book in the 7th grade and loved it. It's a unique story that just when you think you understand it the ending throws you for a loop. I bought this for my 15 year old son when I heard that certain books have never been in his curriculum and her loves to read. My son enjoyed it as much as I did and I think it is a good read for anyone but certainly pre-teens and teens who have good reading comprehension.

I first read this book a few years ago as a summer reading assignment, and I read it in two days. It was such an awesome read that I bought it! The reader has to dig deep and read between the lines with every passage in the story and reading it a second time is worth it. To me, the climax of the story was a sudden, total shock and I found myself holding back tears as I continued. Loved this book, would read for the 5th time!

I have been looking forward to reading this book after a friend told me about it. Little wear and tear on the edges kind of disappointed me since I did buy this new. But other than that everything is good.