Friends Till the End

by Todd Strasser

The new student in the senior class develops leukemia and affects the lives of his fellow students in various ways.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1981

About the author

Todd Strasser is an American author of more than 130 novels for adults, young-adults, and middle graders.

His most recent novel is Summer of '69

Booklist review: "Drugs, sex, and rock 'n' roll, those hallmarks of the summer of 1969, are all here, but there's so much more. In this loosely autobiographical novel, Strasser introduces 18-year-old Lucas, who is bright and sensitive but also a screw up…. 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."

Kirkus review: "Strasser perfectly captures the golden haze of youth and life on the cusp of adulthood. Readers fascinated with this time period will find much to enjoy... Vietnam, Woodstock, road trips, and acid trips: a sweetly bittersweet, surprising, even melancholy bildungsroman set against a world in flux. Groovy, man."

His most recent young adult novel is Price of Duty:
2018 New York Public Library Best Book for Teens
“Compact and suspenseful, the novel raises important questions about war.” – Kirkus 
“This thought-provoking book is both welcome and imperative.” – Booklist * (starred review).
"Rather than attempting to sway the reader, it offers awareness." - VOYA 
“Tightly wound and compelling ... appropriate for an older middle school and high school audience. VERDICT: Highly recommended.” – School Library Journal 

Bio: Todd was born in New York City. When he was young his parents moved to Roslyn Heights, New York (Long Island). Todd went to the I.U. Willets Elementary school and then attended the Wheatley School for junior high and high school. His best subjects were math and science. He also liked to read, but he had trouble with spelling and grammar, and didn't do well in English. His favorite sports were tennis, skiing and fishing. Todd went to college at New York University for a few years, and then dropped out. He lived on a commune, then lived in Europe where he was a street musician.

All the while, Todd wrote songs and poems and lots of letters to his friends back home. Finally he decided to try being a writer. He returned to the United States and went to Beloit College where he studied literature and writing.

After college, Todd worked at the Middletown Times Herald-Record newspaper in Middletown, New York, and later at Compton Advertising in New York City. In 1978, Todd sold his first novel, Angel Dust Blues. He used the money to start the Dr. Wing Tip Shoo fortune cookie company. For the next 12 years, Todd sold more fortune cookies than books.

Todd now divides his time between writing books and speaking at schools and conferences. When he's at home, he likes to spend time with his children and dog, Cooper. He still likes to play tennis and ski, but his favorite new sport is surfing.

Reviews

[Nancy L. · Rating 3 out of 5]

An After School Special, print edition. I’m not sure how it ended up on my bookshelf, but there, I read it.

[Rebekah White]

Howie Jamison is new at school and David is a jock because he is really good at soccer. As David is getting on the bus one day, he notices Howie waiting as well. They start to talk and David forms his own little opinion of him. He decides that he is awkward and doesn't fit in very well. When Howie stops showing up at the bus stop for a few weeks, David doesn't think much about it until one night when he got a phone call. Howie's mother had called to see if David would come visit Howie in the hospital. David goes through with his answer of yes even though he knew they weren't really friends. When he gets to the hospital, David isn't sure what to say. What questions are okay to ask? Howie's mother explained to David what all was wrong. David has leukemia. David is touched by this and starts to feel a connection to Howie. Pretty soon, David begins to visit Howie regularly. They develop a wonderful friendship and have heart to heart talks as well as funny ones.
When Howie gets very weak and even sicker, David starts to worry. Howie's illness also begins to affect the other students as well. When he passes, the students hearts are touched by his battle and how strong he was through it. David finally realized something too. He realized the true meaning of friendship. Howie and David were literally "friends till the end".

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

David Gilbert meets Howie Jamison, the new kid in town, waiting for the school bus. Howie's a little unusual and is really needing to make a friend, but David doesn't think he has time in his life for new friends. He's got Rena, his girlfriend, soccer and a good circle of friends already. Then a phone call comes from Howie's parents: Howie is in the hospital, diagnosed with Leukemia, and would really appreciate a visit from his friend. So begins the friendship between Howie and David, one that has a profound effect on David as well as his friends and family.