"If these changes are going to occur, they will have to start with you, the young person reading this book. If this story has moved you, then it will be your job to keep those ideas alive, to examine your own life and your own school, to keep these issues in the forefront with open discussions and debate. Mine is the generation that will see true gun reform continually stalled by lobby-fattened politicians. Yours is the generation that may someday have the power to make the real changes that will save young lives."
Todd Strasser is an American writer of more than 140 young-adult and middle grade novels and many short stories and works of non-fiction, some written under the pen names Morton Rhue and T.S. Rue.
"Howd you know I was here?" Kevin asked. "I know you and Christmas trees," Kate said as she rubbed a tear out of her eye. "I guess this is the biggest one around, huh?" Kevin said. Kate smiled. "Lets go tell Dad youre all right." "Wheres everyone else?" Kevin asked. "At the hotel," Kate said, sliding her arm around his shoulders. "Theyre in New York?" Kevin gasped, wide-eyed. Kate smiled. "They didnt like the palm trees either."
"Anyone see us?" Harry asked as they sped away down the street. "I didnt see anyone in the windows," said Marv. "I thought you said they were gone." "We both watched them leave this morning, birdbrain," Harry snapped. "Then who was that?" Marv asked. "I dont know," Harry said. "I didnt see anyone. I swear I dont get it. I know they all left." "And I know I aint goin near that house again," Marv said. "Cool it." Harry ran his fingers over his hair. "Im gonna figure this thing out and then we are going back. Thats the best house on the block."
"Todd Strasser has written many award-winning novels for teens and adults. Several of his works have been adapted for the screen, including Workin for Peanuts, A Very Touchy Subject, and Over the Limit, which he adapted himself. A former newspaper reporter and advertising copywriter, Strasser worked for several years as a TV scriptwriter on such shows as The Guilding Light, Tribes, and Riviera. The author of nearly forty novels, Strasser lives with his family in a suburb of New York City."
"Come on," she said. "Lets go home." They turned and started back toward the house. Mark carried the dead brown flowers. Susan carried her memories and grief. Behind them they left Henry and the tombstone, which read: HENRY EVANS 1981-1993 WITHOUT DARKNESS THERE CAN BE NO LIGHT"
"Tell me the truth, Henry," she said. "Tell me what happened the night Richard died. "Dont you know?" Henry asked innocently. "Id like to hear it from you," Susan said. "I was downstairs playing..." he began. Susan knew he was lying. She knew by the tone of voice he used. He used it every time hed lied to her, and hed lied to her many times. "Dont lie to me," she snapped angrily. "Im sick and tired of your lying." She found herself shaking him by his shoulders. "Henry, tell me the truth: Did you kill Richard?" Henry pulled away and regarded her coolly. It was a look that was unnatural in a boy of his age. "So what if I did?"
"Anyone looking for simple black-and-white answer to the problem of school violence involving guns will not find it here. Like Beth Bender and Dick Flanagan, I have no one answer. But I do have suggestions: The manufacture, importation, and possession of all semiautomatic assault-type weapons should be banned. The sale of handguns should be restricted to the military and law enforcement agencies. Children should be taught from the earliest age to respect one anothers differences. Schools should enact zero tolerance for teasing. Students achievements off the field should be valued as highly as those on the field."