Tenderness by Robert Cormier

Bibliographic Information:

Cormier, R. (1997). Tenderness. New York: Delacorte Press. ISBN# 0385731337

Plot Summary:
Eric murdered his mother and step father under the guise of a victim protecting himself from further abuse. He served three years in prison for this crime. He has also killed three women who looked a lot like his mother. Detective Jake Procter suspects Eric in the murder of two of the women. Lori is a runaway. She has been the object of sexual attraction for her mother’s boyfriend, has used her sexuality to steal money. She once saw Eric, after he had murdered one of the women, and he was nice to her. Now she is focused on finding and being with Eric. Both Eric and Lori want “tenderness” in their lives, though their definitions are different. Eric and Lori meet up and travel together. He starts planning her murder. She figures out what he is about, but doesn’t care and decides to help Eric any way she can. Meanwhile, Jake is trying to set Eric up so that he can put Eric back in jail.

Critical Evaluation:
This was the first YA book that I read for this assignment and I was shocked. It is such a dark book with several very dark topics. At first I couldn’t imagine why such a book would be written, not to mention recommended for young adults. But as the class progressed, I saw how this book could be helpful to some teens. They see that the world is potentially a dark place with people that cannot always be trusted. This book shows them that they need to be careful. Evil may lurk in a pretty package. Eric is a lot like Ted Bundy, a nice looking, charming guy who just happens to be a serial killer. This book also shows teens a possible way to deal with a bad situation. Lori doesn’t feel loved at home. She is confused about love and lust, as many teens are. Yet there are consequences for her actions. Lori runs away and falls in with a serial killer and psychopath with disastrous results.

Reader's Annotation:
18 year old Eric, a serial killer and psychopath, meets up with Lori, a 15 year old runaway who has used and been used for sex, in their journey to find “tenderness.” Lori helps Eric elude Jake, the ever-present police detective sure that Eric will kill again, until tragedy ensues for all.

Information about the author:
While Cormier lived his entire life in Leominster, Massachusetts, he did travel around the world visiting Australia, most of Europe and most of the states in the US “speaking at schools, colleges, and universities and to teacher and librarian associations.” He worked as a newspaper reporter/columnist for 30 years. This job inspired many of the books that he wrote. Cormier attended parochial school and was a practicing Catholic. He wrote over 15 novels, many of which received awards as well as challenges. Cormier died in 2000.

Genre: Realistic Fiction; Thriller

Curriculum Ties: Language Arts; Sociology

Booktalking Ideas:
• What is a psychopath?
• What is the definition of tenderness, according to Eric? According to Lori?
• What is irony? How is irony used in the book?
• Do you feel any sympathy toward Eric or Lori? Why? Why not?
• Do you think this story is possible? Why? Why not?

Reading Level/Interest Level:
The widest age range, according to the reviews, is 12 – 18, but due to the content I would recommend this book to older teens.

Challenge Issues:
Serial murders; psychopaths; murder; runaways; sexual situations; language; spousal abuse; self mutilation; suggested incest

If the book is challenged:
• Listen calmly to the complainant.
• Ask if s/he has read the entire novel.
• Show positive reviews of the novel.
• Show the selection policy.
If the complainant still has issues with the book:
• Request that the complainant read the entire book if this has not already occurred.
• Have the complainant fill out a reconsideration form.
• Set up a reconsideration meeting.
o Provide the reconsideration meeting members with:
 Positive reviews
 Selection policy
 Reconsideration policy

Selection Process:
I did a search on Children’s Literature Comprehensive Database with the following criteria: Award winner, reviews available, and age range from 15 – 18.

Eleven positive reviews

Awards/ Best Books Lists:
• Appears on six Best Books Lists

Reading/Interest level, selection process information, reviews, and Awards/Best Books Lists were accessed using the Children’s Literature Comprehensive Database at http://clcd.odyssi.com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/cgi-bin/member/search/f?./temp/~DFzl5y:1
http://clcd.odyssi.com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/cgi-bin/member/search/f?./temp/~DFzl5y:2
http://clcd.odyssi.com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/cgi-bin/member/search/f?./temp/~DFzl5y:3
http://clcd.odyssi.com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/cgi-bin/member/search/f?./temp/~DFzl5y:4 accessed through SJSU and not available to everyone.