When he's at home, he likes to spend time with his children and dog, Cooper. Todd now divides his time between writing books and speaking at schools and conferences. For the next 12 years, Todd sold more fortune cookies than books. In 1978, Todd sold his first novel, Angel Dust Blues. He returned to the United States and went to Beloit College where he studied literature and writing.Īfter college, Todd worked at the Middletown Times Herald-Record newspaper in Middletown, New York, and later at Compton Advertising in New York City.

Finally he decided to try being a writer. He lived on a commune, then lived in Europe where he was a street musician.Īll the while, Todd wrote songs and poems and lots of letters to his friends back home. Todd went to college at New York University for a few years, and then dropped out. His favorite sports were tennis, skiing and fishing. He also liked to read, but he had trouble with spelling and grammar, and didn't do well in English. Willets Elementary school and then attended the Wheatley School for junior high and high school. When he was young his parents moved to Roslyn Heights, New York (Long Island). VERDICT: Highly recommended.” – School Library Journalīio: Todd was born in New York City. appropriate for an older middle school and high school audience. 'Rather than attempting to sway the reader, it offers awareness.' - VOYA “This thought-provoking book is both welcome and imperative.” – Booklist * (starred review). “Compact and suspenseful, the novel raises important questions about war.” – Kirkus His most recent young adult novel is Price of Duty:Ģ018 New York Public Library Best Book for Teens

Vietnam, Woodstock, road trips, and acid trips: a sweetly bittersweet, surprising, even melancholy bildungsroman set against a world in flux. Readers fascinated with this time period will find much to enjoy. Kirkus review: 'Strasser perfectly captures the golden haze of youth and life on the cusp of adulthood. The picture painted of the Woodstock music festival shows the dark side of peace and love, and the prevalence of drugs is on almost every page…The best part of the book, however, is the one that transcends eras: Lucas' introspection as he contemplates his place in the world.' In this loosely autobiographical novel, Strasser introduces 18-year-old Lucas, who is bright and sensitive but also a screw up…. Todd Strasser is an American author of more than 130 novels for adults, young-adults, and middle graders.īooklist review: 'Drugs, sex, and rock 'n' roll, those hallmarks of the summer of 1969, are all here, but there's so much more.

Boot camp todd strasser summary