Robert Cormier is renowned for portraying complex moral issues in his young adult literature, often presenting his young protagonists with challenging ethical dilemmas. His work is celebrated for its introspective depth and psychological realism. His classic novel The Chocolate War, published in 1974, is widely considered one of the best novels for adolescents of all time; in a 2004 survey among English teachers, college professors, librarians, and other professionals, the novella received top votes in this category (Claiborne, Jennifer L. and Ted Hipple. “The Best Young Adult Novels of All Time, or The Chocolate War One More Time.” English Journal, high school edition, vol. 94, no. 3, Jan. 2005, pp. 99-102). Another classic Cormier title, I Am the Cheese (1977), also made the list.

Cormier was a newspaper journalist for 30 years and often found inspiration for his fiction in news stories. In an interview with School Library Journal, he expressed his interest in themes of intimidation and the abuse of authority. These themes inform his most famous novels as well as Tunes for Bears to Dance To. He often paints a dark world in which, as in Tunes, the cards are stacked against a young main character who struggles to hold on to their humanity when confronted with evil.