Most Popular Books by Todd Strasser

In the Frederick Douglass Project where DeShawn lives, daily life is ruled by drugs and gang violence. Dropping out of school and joining a gang is the norm and every kid knows someone who''s died. Gunshots ring out on a regular basis. DeShawn is smart enough to know he should stay in school and keep away from the gangs. But while his friends have drug money to buy anything they want, DeShawn''s family can barely afford food for the month. How can he stick to his principles when his family is hungry? In this gritty novel about growing up in the inner-city projects, award-winning author Todd Strasser opens a window into the life of a teenager struggling with right and wrong under the ever-present shadow of gangs.

Tired of being hungry, cold, and dirty from living on the streets of New York City with a tribe of other homeless teenagers who are dying, one by one, a girl named Maybe ponders her future and longs for someone to care about her.

Todd Strasser’s acclaimed account of school violence that Kirkus Reviews calls “vivid, distressing, and all too real.” For as long as they can remember, Brendan and Gary have been mercilessly teased and harassed by the jocks who rule Middletown High. But not anymore. Stealing a small arsenal of guns from a neighbor, they take their classmates hostage at a school dance. In the panic of this desperate situation, it soon becomes clear that only one thing matters to Bendan and Gary: revenge.

"[T]his is a rare teen thriller with an actual mystery that is as quickly paced as it is heart wrenching." — Booklist All it takes is one second. One stupid move. One click of a cell phone. When Callie discovers Katherine sprawled on the ground, she bends down to help her. It''s only natural—the party''s been a bit wild. And it''s only natural for her to pull out the fake knife, irritated at one more example of Katherine''s callous disregard of other people''s feelings. But the knife is real . . . and bloody. And then Callie hears the click of one cell phone, followed by another, and another. In minutes, images of her holding the bloody knife have gone viral. Now wanted for murder, Callie is on the run from the police. All the evidence points to her guilt, but she''s determined to prove her innocence, which means . . . the real killer is still out there. "A great deal of dialogue, short chapters, and straightforward diction will make this a quick read for students who enjoy murder mysteries." ― Voice of Youth Advocates

Overweight high school senior Bo decides to change her image while working on the school play with a former star football player who is also struggling to find a new identity for himself.

After Chris''s car plunges into the ravine, killing him and three of his friends, everyone blames Chris for drinking. But Matt thinks there is more to it. Something is fishy about the investigation, and Matt is determined to uncover the truth.

Have you ever seen a shape moving through the night? Do black cats always seem to cross your path? Would your heart race if a ghost sent you a text message? If so, then you might end up Too Afraid to Scream.

Fifteen-year-old Garrett is kidnapped and sent to a disciplinary boot camp, where he is subjected to physical and psychological abuse. Award-winning author Strasser offers a sobering glimpse at what really goes on behind closed doors.

Lauren would love to be part of the popular crowd at school, and when an attractive new girl seems to befriend her and offers a chance at popularity, Lauren does not recognize how she is being manipulated.

Rock musicians Gary, Susan, Oscar, and Karl struggle to cope wit new pressures and temptations when their third album becomes a monster hit. Sequel to "Rock ''n'' Roll Nights" and "Turn It Up]"

Ever since Dad died, Kelly and her sister, Sasha, have wished they could have him back again. One day, to their amazement, he does return--as a ghost! He does Kelly''s homework, gets the new boy at school to sit next to her, and even helps in her soccer games. Kelly knows she should do these things for herself, but what''s a girl to do when her dad''s a ghost?

Rendered homeless by circumstances beyond his family''s control, Dan is forced to move to Tent City, where he begins fighting for better conditions only to be targeted by an adversary who wants to destroy the impoverished region.

A group of fifth and sixth graders find a way to deal with personal differences, family problems, and some rock-throwing high school boys so that they can play the game they love.

Ben joins the Indian Guides with his mom''s boyfriend to try and drive Jack away, but ends up liking both the Guides and Jack.

In the summer of 1962, the possibility of nuclear war is all anyone talks about. But Scott''s dad is the only one in the neighborhood who actually prepares for the worst. As the neighbors scoff, he builds a bomb shelter to hold his family and stocks i

In an experiment about power and discipline, students form a group called The Wave which quickly turns into a nightmare, threatening students who refuse to join. Will anyone see how dangerous The Wave has become?

In the small town of Soundview, someone is blogging about the local high school kids and the comments aren''t kind. But are the posts cruel taunts or vicious threats? Then 17-year-old Lucy Cunningham goes missing after a night out and the hunt is on to catch a killer.

"An American teen is led towards committing a terrorist act"--