Todd Strasser

Born in New York City, Todd Strasser has established himself as a prolific author with over 140 young adult and middle grade novels to his name, alongside numerous short stories and non-fiction works. He began his writing career after studying literature and creative writing at New York University and Beloit College, and working as a newspaper reporter and advertising copywriter. Strasser has utilized pen names, notably Morton Rhue and T.S. Rue, to diversify his literary output. His work, particularly under the Morton Rhue pseudonym, has achieved significant success in Germany, with titles like 'Die Welle' (The Wave) being adapted into successful films and a Netflix series. Strasser's writing often tackles significant social and historical themes, including war, Nazism, bullying, and societal pressures. His novels have been recognized with various awards and honors from organizations like the American Library Association and the New York Public Library, and many have been adapted into television movies or feature films.

Todd Strasser's extensive literary career spans over 140 young adult and middle grade novels, as well as short stories and non-fiction. He has employed pseudonyms, most notably Morton Rhue and T.S. Rue, to publish his diverse body of work. Under the name Morton Rhue, Strasser gained considerable popularity in Germany with best-selling novels such as 'Die Welle' (The Wave), 'Dschihad Online,' and 'Boot Camp.' The novel 'Die Welle' achieved international recognition through its film adaptation, 'The Wave,' which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and became a European box office success, later inspiring the Netflix series 'We Are The Wave.' Strasser's early career included experiences as a newspaper reporter and an advertising copywriter, providing a foundation for his prolific writing.

Strasser's novels frequently explore timely and often challenging themes, including nuclear war, Nazism, bullying, homelessness, and school shootings. His novel 'The Wave,' written as Morton Rhue, is a fictionalized account of a real-life classroom experiment exploring authoritarianism, and has been translated into numerous languages and is widely read in educational settings. 'Fallout,' a 2014 novel, blends memoir and speculative fiction to examine the consequences of nuclear war, earning critical acclaim from The New York Times. Some of Strasser's works have generated controversy; his novel 'American Terrorist' was withdrawn from publication in the United States following public outcry, though it was published in Germany and France under different titles.

Many of Todd Strasser's books have been adapted into other media, demonstrating their broad appeal. The novel 'How I Created My Perfect Prom Date' was the basis for the feature film 'Drive Me Crazy.' Additionally, several of his novels have been adapted into television movies, including 'The Accident' (as 'Over the Limit'), 'A Very Touchy Subject' (as 'Can a Guy Say No?'), and 'Workin' For Peanuts' (with the same title). Strasser has also authored numerous popular series for young readers, such as the 'Help! I'm Trapped...' collection, 'Impact Zone' (focused on surfing), 'Drift X' (about drift car competitions), and mystery thrillers like the 'Thrillogy' series. His output also includes books for middle-grade readers and e-book series featuring factual and humorous content.