How I Spent My Last Night on Earth

Soundview High #3

by Todd Strasser, Tom Garrett (Illustrator)

Class valedictorian Allegea Hanover has heard the rumor that an asteroid is heading towards Earth and it may be all over by morning, and with all the hysteria around her, all she wants to do is head out and meet the untouchable school rebel Andros Bliss. Reprint.

Genres: Young Adult, Romance, Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Chick Lit

176 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1998

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

[Stacey Adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

An asteroid is heading towards Earth....at least that's what it says all over the internet. Allegra doesn't know what to believe. She's always logical, always rational, she has no idea how to deal with this craziness. She finds out about this dilemma in a strange way. Andros Bliss knocks on her car window in the school parking lot before school begins. She's had thoughts about Andros but as far as she knows he doesn't know she exists....so why is he knocking on her window? When she finally opens her door (her window doesn't work) he tells her the end of the world is coming. It has to be a joke, right? But things are different already. She can see the other kids acting odd. But the bell rings so they all head inside to an assembly where maybe they will find answers. Nope. No answers. When kids decide they don't want to spend their last day on Earth in school should she skip too? She's never done that before. Nothing is normal and it's throwing her. Even her two closest friends are acting weird....and they say it isn't because of the asteroid. Throwing caution into the wind Allegra spends her last day trying to be a different person, trying to let go and have some fun, to enjoy life, no worries about the future, no cares at all....but it's so difficult for her to do.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a young adult book it is laced with a big dose of philosophical questions. I didn't encounter this subject until my 20's while in college and this book is on the shelves for the 11-13 year old crowd. I came back to it as an adult and still love the discussions it sparks. Is something true because we know it to be true or because we want it to be true? Deep read.

[E M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really makes you reconsider your life.

This book really makes you think. Don't be like Legs, be like Andros. Because life it too short too sent it worrying about money.

[Erica Leigh · Rating 2 out of 5]

Umm this was better when I read it in middle school. Literally no plot or character development lol but it had its moments. What bothers me is that teens don’t talk like this! Not in the 90s, not now. I remember reading another YA by Strasser a few years ago and thinking the same thing.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, quick chick lit that's recently been republished with a trendy new cover. When it leaks out on the internet that there's a 50/50 chance that the Earth will soon be destroyed by a giant meteor, all the old rules go out the window for the day, and valedictorian Allegra finds herself drawn to random surfer dude Andros. Part of a mini-series of 3(?) stories set at Timothy Zonin ("Time Zone") High. For a fluffy romance, Strasser actually crams in quite a bit of vocab, philosophy, and classic poetry, but not in a clunky way.

[Amy C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many movies nowadays (ie. The Day the Earth Stood Still) are revolved around this idea of the world coming to an end. While reading this book, it reminds me of Letterman's EINSTEIN'S DREAM. The idea of the world ending is as theorical and fantastical as it can be. However, when this question is one of everyone's favorite questions to ask, I don't prefer answering it. Although it is a more creative topic to discuss, this question is so cliche that I find it losing its meaning. However, this is still a fun book to read on your leisure time.

[Sylvia · Rating 2 out of 5]

A funny book, I did not finish all at once like most books. I had to keep coming back to it because I was busy. A very odd book that did not make sense at times. If today was the last day on earth situation. The thing that was ironic was that the person that crushed on the main character wished something and it came true. he wished that he did not had to take a test and instead they get a meteor going to hit earth. Time is a valuable thing.

[Yang · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was in the library trying to find a book to read and i found this book. The title got me interested because i like the end of the world ideas, such as the movie Knowing, 2012, or the documentary of Dec. 2012. In the book, everyone found out that the world was going to end. Things got a little crazy because people were crying and students stopped going to classes. It's a pretty interesting book i'd say.

[Lo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh that wacky "Time Zone" gang is at again, though this time it's personal! Apparently, there's a meteor headed towards the earth and naturally the most important thing on the minds of TZ teens is which couples are "doing it".

Legs hosts this episode of TZ TV. It's not as good as the others in the series, but it's serviceable.

[Tin-tin · Rating 3 out of 5]

loved it

[B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great dialogue, fun, suspenseful romance

[Mrs. Chatel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I hate it when authors write one sentence paragraphs.

It annoys me.

It's just choppy.

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cool, Funny, and a short book to read. Basically about high school students thinking about what they would do if they only had 24 hours to live.

[Andreen · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is about love and how Allegra spent her so called last day on earth to find out the astroid missed. this book has twistes and turn.

[Sophia · Rating 4 out of 5]

really great book. made me think about life.

[Kristen Landon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute. Fun. Nothing too deep--even given the subject matter. A giant asteroid is about to smash into earth and end all life--maybe.

[Chandni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably my favourite of the Time Zone High novels because Andros and Legs are both so likeable. A really quick read.

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was a fun and quick read. I liked the characters and it had an interesting premise. However, nothing really stands out for me.

[Beatrice · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is quite predictable but I do love the wit this book has. The love part is a fast process unlike other books that take time. But it is a short story so I guess it's understandable.

[Katrina Knittle · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very predictable book that was so quirky and cute I just enjoyed it so much. SO many twists and turns throughout this book. The love part of this book was slow going but still happens.

[Sammy Small · Rating 3 out of 5]

It as really well written but the plot had major holes in it and it was so easy to predict the ending.

[Snigdha Kucharlapati · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a very cute little book that was a nice easy read. It was a pretty good story but I could predict some parts before they happened which ruined some parts of the book.

[Stefanie Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

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[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s a guilty pleasure for me lol

[Regina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Funny, cute, quick read.

[Graveyard · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS BOOK! Makes me feel better every time I read it.

[Nina · Rating 4 out of 5]

i thought it had great writing but it was easy to predict the ending