And I never want to feel anything like it again. Of course, I’ve never told her about the really bad stuff. I kept shaking you, but you wouldn’t wake up.’ Lori gives me a penetrating look, asking with her eyes what could have possibly happened over there that would result in such a violent dream. The dark tunnel of the AK’s barrel growing larger and larger. I was trapped on my back and he was closing in. My hands were sliding all over on the sandy rooftop as I desperately felt for a weapon or anything to protect myself with. He was aiming his AK down at me, point-blank. A shadow moved over me-that insurgent wearing loose clothes and a cap. It felt like my body armor was bolted to the roof. I was on my back, eyes blinded by the glaring sunlight. On the roof, while the firefight continued on the street below. ‘Yeah.’ I start to breathe easier, but my heart is still beating at speed-metal tempo. She’s wearing the baggy T-shirt she sleeps in. “‘Oh my God, are you okay?’ Lori’s eyes are wide. early Seventies poster on my bedroom wall during high school “Join the Army travel to exotic distant lands meet exciting, unusual people and kill them.” Would they ever come up with a thing like war” Like if kids were left to their own devices “And there’s just a few things I ain’t got sorted out Richie’s Picks: PRICE OF DUTY by Todd Strasser, Simon & Schuster, July 2018, 192p., ISBN: 978-1-4814-9709-1 “And there’s just a few things I ain’t got sorted out Sometimes they make my brain get sore Like if kids were left to their own devices Would they ever come up with a thing like war” - Todd Rundgren, “The Wheel” (1975) “Join the Army travel to exotic distant lands meet exciting, unusual people and kill them.” - early Seventies poster on my bedroom wall during high school “‘Oh my God, are you o Richie’s Picks: PRICE OF DUTY by Todd Strasser, Simon & Schuster, July 2018, 192p., ISBN: 978-1-4814-9709-1 Highly recommended for all libraries serving teens.more The book is written in a way suitable for the middle/high audience, but also hits home HARD for this school librarian with a very personal and painful tie to the realities of our youngest men heading to war.

There is a paragraph about some teens saying they wanted to join the military because of Call of Duty and Strasser nails this - his criticisms of the current view of 'war' by teens and military recruitment practices are chilling. While describing a 19-year-old returning from his first deployment with severe injuries and facing a hero's welcome, the book covers PTSD, suicide, war and battle in extreme detail and isn't an easy read. It's written in very simplistic language but in no way flinches from the absolute horrors of war. I can't wait to get this one into students' hands. While describing a 19-year-old returning from his first deployment with seve It's difficult to imagine that a writer could craft such a damning indictment of the US military's recruitment systems in under 200 pages without actually being anti-military, all while writing for an audience ranging from middle to high school. It's difficult to imagine that a writer could craft such a damning indictment of the US military's recruitment systems in under 200 pages without actually being anti-military, all while writing for an audience ranging from middle to high school. There is only one thing that Jake knows for certain: he is no hero.more He doesn’t know what to do nothing makes sense anymore. He needs pills to get any sleep, a young woman is trying to persuade him into speaking out against military recruitment tactics, and his grandfather is already urging him back onto the battlefield. Now he’s home, recovering from an injury, but it seems the war has followed him back. The military is even awarding him a Silver Star for his heroic achievements-a huge honor for the son of a military family. N From award-winning author Todd Strasser comes a gripping new novel that explores the struggles of war, the price paid by those who fight in them, and what it really means to be a hero.Īt least, that’s what everyone says he is. At least, that’s what everyone says he is. From award-winning author Todd Strasser comes a gripping new novel that explores the struggles of war, the price paid by those who fight in them, and what it really means to be a hero.

Age of rebellion duty