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Period 8: A Terrifying Young Adult Psychological Thriller of Truth and Lies in High School
In this terrifying and provocative novel by the bestselling and award-winning author of Deadline and Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes, a teenage boy tries to uncover what happened to a girl who has vanished from his high school. Was she abducted, or did she run for her life?
Paul "The Bomb" Baum tells the truth. No matter what. It was something he learned at Sunday school. But telling the truth can cause problems, and not just minor ones. And as Paulie discovers, finding the truth can be even more problematic. Period 8 is supposed to be that one period in high school where the truth can shine, a safe haven. Only what Paulie and Hannah (his ex-girlfriend, unfortunately) and his other classmates don't know is that the ultimate liar is in their midst. Terrifying, thought-provoking, and original, this novel combines all the qualities of a great psychological thriller with the controversy, ethics, athletics, humor, and raw emotion of a classic Crutcher story.
Paul "The Bomb" Baum tells the truth. No matter what. It was something he learned at Sunday school. But telling the truth can cause problems, and not just minor ones. And as Paulie discovers, finding the truth can be even more problematic. Period 8 is supposed to be that one period in high school where the truth can shine, a safe haven. Only what Paulie and Hannah (his ex-girlfriend, unfortunately) and his other classmates don't know is that the ultimate liar is in their midst. Terrifying, thought-provoking, and original, this novel combines all the qualities of a great psychological thriller with the controversy, ethics, athletics, humor, and raw emotion of a classic Crutcher story.
293 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 26, 2013
106 people are currently reading
2735 people want to read
About the author
Chris Crutcher
35 books808 followersChris Crutcher's writing is controversial, and has been frequently challenged and even banned by individuals who want to censor his books by removing them from libraries and classrooms. Running Loose and Athletic Shorts were on the ALA's top 100 list of most frequently challenged books for 1990-2000. His books generally feature teens coping with serious problems, including abusive parents, racial and religious prejudice, mental and physical disability, and poverty; these themes are viewed as too mature for children. Other cited reasons for censorship include strong language and depictions of homosexuality. Despite this controversy, Crutcher's writing has received many awards.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 496 reviews
April 7, 2013
What attracted me to this book initially was the mention of a bully. The blurb on the back of the book even says "A new novel about an ultimate bully and the ethics of love". Sounds pretty good for any gritty contemporary fan, no? Except this "bully" is just a very weird guy with an obvious hidden agenda. The "ethics of love" part is correct, though. The whole book felt like an after-school-special-slash-Sunday-school-summon about love, telling the truth, and teenage hormones.
What is Period 8? An almost retired teacher opens his classroom to anyone who wants to come for a student discussion meeting-like lunch hour. During these meetings they talk about their problems and get advice about relationships. It is as unexciting as it sounds, to be honest. As a strong character oriented novel, it's a big disappointment when all the character voices sound forced as well. For instance, the dialogue is full of teenage slang and swear words to make them sound genuine but instead it comes off as stereotypical and fake. Take this line for example:
"What's going on, baby? You look shot at and missed, and shit at and hit."
Similarly, all the boys call their girlfriend "honey" (or "your honey" when talking to others). Then add in a lot of Fuck, whassup, ain't, y'all, and I remember even a couple instances of "momma".
I personally don't know of anyone who would talk like this. And if some do, I don't want them in my books!
In addition to these characters we've got a teacher who's way too buddy buddy with the teenagers to the point that felt odd to me. Then we have a girl who disappears--which at first I thought would be an exciting part of the plot, but instead she comes back, then disappears again, sends sinister texts, and then her part of the story gets brushed off as if no effort wanted to be spent on her anymore.
Bland characters: meet an even blander plot. Actually, it's not even bland, it's more like gibberish. This is definitely not helped when we have spastic POV changes that make you feel discombobulated. While it starts with the potential to become an engaging mystery, this tapers off into an all over the place plot that doesn't appear to have any sort of logical flow at all. We have talk of cheating and relationships reminiscent of Dr. Phil, then the messed up disappearance mentioned above which also includes suspicious family behaviour and a crazy father who come up time and time again but are never explored. Furthermore, there's this totally bizarre conspiracy happening that makes absolutely no sense, with a motive which is, to my knowledge, non existent. Suddenly there were hit men or the mafia or some angry politicians or something swarming the town trying to kill these kids. Yeah, I've no idea either…
Now for my favourite part, the MC calls 911 because his teacher is dying in a lake:
911 operator: "Is this a joke?"
"Ma'am, believe me, it's no joke."
"It's nearly eleven, young man. You're asking me to believe your teacher went swimming with you in the pitch dark and he's still out there?"
"Some people were chasing us"
"What people?"
"Bad guys"
"I can trace this number, you know. It's not funny to tie up this line. Hang up and I'll forget this little prank."
Paulie hears a click.
Yes, she hung up! 911 hung up on him! I don't know about anywhere else, but around here, no matter what, even if you say it's a prank, they have to send someone (yep--personal childhood experience >.<)! They even send someone for pocket dialing now!
I don't know what else to tell you. This book is a mixed bag of some very strange substances that I wish to never come across again.
**Note that all the quotes in this review were taken from the uncorrected proof.
--
An advance copy was provided by the publisher for review.
For more of my reviews, visit my blog at Xpresso Reads
What is Period 8? An almost retired teacher opens his classroom to anyone who wants to come for a student discussion meeting-like lunch hour. During these meetings they talk about their problems and get advice about relationships. It is as unexciting as it sounds, to be honest. As a strong character oriented novel, it's a big disappointment when all the character voices sound forced as well. For instance, the dialogue is full of teenage slang and swear words to make them sound genuine but instead it comes off as stereotypical and fake. Take this line for example:
"What's going on, baby? You look shot at and missed, and shit at and hit."
Similarly, all the boys call their girlfriend "honey" (or "your honey" when talking to others). Then add in a lot of Fuck, whassup, ain't, y'all, and I remember even a couple instances of "momma".
I personally don't know of anyone who would talk like this. And if some do, I don't want them in my books!
In addition to these characters we've got a teacher who's way too buddy buddy with the teenagers to the point that felt odd to me. Then we have a girl who disappears--which at first I thought would be an exciting part of the plot, but instead she comes back, then disappears again, sends sinister texts, and then her part of the story gets brushed off as if no effort wanted to be spent on her anymore.
Bland characters: meet an even blander plot. Actually, it's not even bland, it's more like gibberish. This is definitely not helped when we have spastic POV changes that make you feel discombobulated. While it starts with the potential to become an engaging mystery, this tapers off into an all over the place plot that doesn't appear to have any sort of logical flow at all. We have talk of cheating and relationships reminiscent of Dr. Phil, then the messed up disappearance mentioned above which also includes suspicious family behaviour and a crazy father who come up time and time again but are never explored. Furthermore, there's this totally bizarre conspiracy happening that makes absolutely no sense, with a motive which is, to my knowledge, non existent. Suddenly there were hit men or the mafia or some angry politicians or something swarming the town trying to kill these kids. Yeah, I've no idea either…
Now for my favourite part, the MC calls 911 because his teacher is dying in a lake:
911 operator: "Is this a joke?"
"Ma'am, believe me, it's no joke."
"It's nearly eleven, young man. You're asking me to believe your teacher went swimming with you in the pitch dark and he's still out there?"
"Some people were chasing us"
"What people?"
"Bad guys"
"I can trace this number, you know. It's not funny to tie up this line. Hang up and I'll forget this little prank."
Paulie hears a click.
Yes, she hung up! 911 hung up on him! I don't know about anywhere else, but around here, no matter what, even if you say it's a prank, they have to send someone (yep--personal childhood experience >.<)! They even send someone for pocket dialing now!
I don't know what else to tell you. This book is a mixed bag of some very strange substances that I wish to never come across again.
**Note that all the quotes in this review were taken from the uncorrected proof.
--
An advance copy was provided by the publisher for review.
For more of my reviews, visit my blog at Xpresso Reads
January 31, 2013
Not for me.
Just a quick scan of the few reviews available for this book shows me those words appearing several times in one form or another. It seems to be the common opinion that this book is waiting to be loved by someone - though, who that someone is, it's hard to tell. Guys, maybe. Guys who like to read character studies and aren't put off by a plot that is slow and arguably not even there.
This was my first problem - this book is painfully slow. It is about a group of high school kids who meet every day in a lunch group called "Period 8". This group is ran by Logs, a soon-to-be retiring teacher who cares about his students like they were his own kids and offers them a place where they can talk about what is bothering them. What is said in Period 8, stays in Period 8. But two-thirds of the way in and very little has happened beyond these student conversations. Mary Wells goes missing, then reappears, then goes missing and then reappears again... but this is skimmed over, the main focus is the character discussions.
I don't mind a character-driven story as long as there is actually a story to drive and I felt this book contained too little plot. This is less a criticism and more an observation from the point of view of someone who doesn't like this style of storytelling. I think this book has the potential to be a favourite in the hands of the right person who appreciates something slower, with a subtle build-up to the bigger picture. I, unfortunately, found it tedious. It felt like I was waiting forever for the story to hit me, only to reach the end and realise that it was supposed to have happened somewhere in there.
However, I think I would have still given it three stars or at least another half if it wasn't for what I believe was a clumsy attempt to create teen characters by using annoying, stereotypical language. You know sometimes when authors exaggerate a character-type so much that, instead of becoming what they had intended, they just become laughable? Like creating a "bad boy" with tattoos, Harley, leather jacket and probably a skull earring to go with it all... well, I think very few high school teens actually speak like the ones in this book.
Like I said at the beginning, this is probably the right book for someone, but that someone just isn't me.
April 7, 2015
This book is a bit of a departure for one of my favorite YA authors. Chris Crutcher writes stories about teens dealing with life, with being overweight, or having anger issues, or being gay, or not a great athlete, or being ill, or whatever. His characters are sympathetic, there is usually someone with a touch of wisdom hidden in snark, and bad things and good things both happen.
Those are true of this book too, but it's structured more like a mystery/thriller. Some parts really worked for me, but there was a bit of lack of sympathetic adults, beyond the one mentor character. There is a creepy tension that develops through the long middle section that was well done, but simply not my favorite tone for a story, because the warmth felt lost. And my biggest problem was the pacing. After a long book setting things up, gradually showing us the deceptions, the desperations and the issues and characters, as we headed into the action climax I was pinching the number of pages left between my fingers (I bought this in hardcover the day it released) and thinking that he would have to pull off a miracle to get it untangled that fast.
It wasn't as futile as I thought it might be, but it was the weakest part of the book. Everything comes crashing together in very dramatic fashion, and too fast for my tastes. I wanted more time both in the climactic action and then in the aftermath. So not a bad read, and a reminder to look below the surface, and that bad things can happen with a very pedestrian public face. But it was far from my favorite Crutcher. I'll reread (and re-reread) Whale Talk or Deadline or Chinese Handcuffs or Stotan! more times, I'm sure, but not this one.
Those are true of this book too, but it's structured more like a mystery/thriller. Some parts really worked for me, but there was a bit of lack of sympathetic adults, beyond the one mentor character. There is a creepy tension that develops through the long middle section that was well done, but simply not my favorite tone for a story, because the warmth felt lost. And my biggest problem was the pacing. After a long book setting things up, gradually showing us the deceptions, the desperations and the issues and characters, as we headed into the action climax I was pinching the number of pages left between my fingers (I bought this in hardcover the day it released) and thinking that he would have to pull off a miracle to get it untangled that fast.
It wasn't as futile as I thought it might be, but it was the weakest part of the book. Everything comes crashing together in very dramatic fashion, and too fast for my tastes. I wanted more time both in the climactic action and then in the aftermath. So not a bad read, and a reminder to look below the surface, and that bad things can happen with a very pedestrian public face. But it was far from my favorite Crutcher. I'll reread (and re-reread) Whale Talk or Deadline or Chinese Handcuffs or Stotan! more times, I'm sure, but not this one.
August 8, 2019
An amazing book.
dnf
March 22, 2013This saddens me because I liked Chris Crutcher when I was a teen. I made it a total of 24 pages. In that brief span (though it's almost 10%), I already hate everyone in this book. I hated the MC on page two. I'm pretty sure they're going to be in danger later, and I would be rooting for the psycho killer or whatever.
Why do I hate the MC?
Paulie's on a date with his girlfriend. He tells her he wants to talk, but they make out for a bit first. She's said she's a great listener. Then he tells her he cheated on her. She insists that he take her home "in fucking silence, or I'm walking." He has the audacity to think this: "So much for the world's best listener" (2). To be fair, she didn't listen, but FUCK YOU for being an asshole. There's nothing you can say to make cheating on your girlfriend acceptable and she shouldn't have to listen to that shit. Being honest is a point in his favor, but his snarky comeback in the face of that just pissed me off.
The he goes to meet up with his philandering father at some diner, and his dad talks about why relationships suck.
Then he goes and talks to Logs, the teacher who runs Period 8, where the most slang-using kids in school meet up to talk about things in an offensive manner. Paulie tells Logs about the situation with Hannah, his ex-girlfriend. Logs says he shouldn't have told. FUCK YOU, Mr. Authority Figure. He would have "asked if you thought it might happen again or if you believed you could reign in those impulses from now on." Cheating once is totally okay, so long as you don't do it again! No no no, fuck no. As Paulie leaves this conversation, he remarks that he doesn't want to be like his father. Here's how you don't cheat you asshole: don't put your put your dick in someone who isn't your girlfriend. I know that's hard. (That's what she said.) It's so easy to accidentally screw someone else. Poor guy. Fuck that. Take responsibility for your own life. It's not your dad's fault you're an asshole, it's yours.
THEN they go to Period 8 and Hannah, who of course is there too, tells everyone that shit went down, and Paulie confesses that he told her the truth. At which point every freaking guy there says Psulie shouldn't have told her the truth. What. The. Fuck. I hate these people so much.
I ought to like Hannah at least. She was wronged, right? Well, yes, she was wronged, but then she goes off like this:
Is Crutcher serious with this? I have two main issues with this.
1) I feel like that "want to go lesbian with me?" thing is in seriously poor taste.
2) The language. I swear up a storm frequently. Swearing doesn't generally upset me, but every damn one in this book made me squirm. They don't feel natural; they feel forced, which makes the words not sit right.
Based on reviews, this book will not be getting any better, so I'm sparing myself the experience and am going to remember past Chris Crutcher instead of etching this into my memory.
Why do I hate the MC?
Paulie's on a date with his girlfriend. He tells her he wants to talk, but they make out for a bit first. She's said she's a great listener. Then he tells her he cheated on her. She insists that he take her home "in fucking silence, or I'm walking." He has the audacity to think this: "So much for the world's best listener" (2). To be fair, she didn't listen, but FUCK YOU for being an asshole. There's nothing you can say to make cheating on your girlfriend acceptable and she shouldn't have to listen to that shit. Being honest is a point in his favor, but his snarky comeback in the face of that just pissed me off.
The he goes to meet up with his philandering father at some diner, and his dad talks about why relationships suck.
Then he goes and talks to Logs, the teacher who runs Period 8, where the most slang-using kids in school meet up to talk about things in an offensive manner. Paulie tells Logs about the situation with Hannah, his ex-girlfriend. Logs says he shouldn't have told. FUCK YOU, Mr. Authority Figure. He would have "asked if you thought it might happen again or if you believed you could reign in those impulses from now on." Cheating once is totally okay, so long as you don't do it again! No no no, fuck no. As Paulie leaves this conversation, he remarks that he doesn't want to be like his father. Here's how you don't cheat you asshole: don't put your put your dick in someone who isn't your girlfriend. I know that's hard. (That's what she said.) It's so easy to accidentally screw someone else. Poor guy. Fuck that. Take responsibility for your own life. It's not your dad's fault you're an asshole, it's yours.
THEN they go to Period 8 and Hannah, who of course is there too, tells everyone that shit went down, and Paulie confesses that he told her the truth. At which point every freaking guy there says Psulie shouldn't have told her the truth. What. The. Fuck. I hate these people so much.
I ought to like Hannah at least. She was wronged, right? Well, yes, she was wronged, but then she goes off like this:
"'Can you believe this? Paulie Bomb cheats on his girlfriend, has the huevos to step up, and I'll bet ninety percent of the guys in this room think he's a pussy. Any of you chicks want to go lesbian with me? I mean, I'm liking the guy who cheated on me better than the ones who didn't, and I don't like him at all.'"
Is Crutcher serious with this? I have two main issues with this.
1) I feel like that "want to go lesbian with me?" thing is in seriously poor taste.
2) The language. I swear up a storm frequently. Swearing doesn't generally upset me, but every damn one in this book made me squirm. They don't feel natural; they feel forced, which makes the words not sit right.
Based on reviews, this book will not be getting any better, so I'm sparing myself the experience and am going to remember past Chris Crutcher instead of etching this into my memory.
July 30, 2013
Period.8 is about a group of students who gather together in 8th-period free period. Mr. Logs teaches it, and in it the students open up and ask for advice. Whatever happens in Period.8 stays private. While most of the students are honest, some of them will do anything to keep their secrets. (Duh-duh-DUH!)
I am the world's biggest Crutcher fan. So, while Arney is a really interesting bad-guy, the story was fragmented. The story followed Arney, Hannah, Paulie, Detective Rankin (sort of), Logs, and has an italicized "unknown" perspective. Only Paulie's perspectives could last an entire chapter, and they didn't lead to a lot of character development. In fact, none of the characters seemed to develop very deeply. Crutcher's other first-person novels were easier to follow and were more personal. Sticking with Paulie's POV might have centered the story.
Crutcher's books are usually funny, but this one focused on the suspense. While the suspense was (really) good, the dialogue could have used the humor. I liked the tension, and it kept up throughout the entire book. But because of that, I thought that there would be more comic relief.
Loose End Stuff: I also didn't understand the way the bad-guy community worked. Did they all hang out and work out the details? Was it actually a prostitution ring, and if so why didn't we ever get Kylie's POV? Where did Arney's aggression come from? How was his father involved? Why is Paulie compelled to help people, and of all people why is he compelled to help Bobby?
I am the world's biggest Crutcher fan. So, while Arney is a really interesting bad-guy, the story was fragmented. The story followed Arney, Hannah, Paulie, Detective Rankin (sort of), Logs, and has an italicized "unknown" perspective. Only Paulie's perspectives could last an entire chapter, and they didn't lead to a lot of character development. In fact, none of the characters seemed to develop very deeply. Crutcher's other first-person novels were easier to follow and were more personal. Sticking with Paulie's POV might have centered the story.
Crutcher's books are usually funny, but this one focused on the suspense. While the suspense was (really) good, the dialogue could have used the humor. I liked the tension, and it kept up throughout the entire book. But because of that, I thought that there would be more comic relief.
Loose End Stuff: I also didn't understand the way the bad-guy community worked. Did they all hang out and work out the details? Was it actually a prostitution ring, and if so why didn't we ever get Kylie's POV? Where did Arney's aggression come from? How was his father involved? Why is Paulie compelled to help people, and of all people why is he compelled to help Bobby?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 21, 2013
While Period 8 provides and interesting story, I did have some problems with the book.
Paul is a member of "Period 8," a class that certain students attend at Heller High. You can talk about anything you want, or just listen. It's basically just a bull session. Paul makes a big mistake - he cheats on his long-time girlfriend, Hannah. And, he feels so bad he has to tell her. Of course they break up, and this is the beginning of a big mess. All is not what it seems (and that's an understatement) and the mess involves many more students than just Hannah and Paul.
I'm being purposefully vague, because I have to be. You really need to go into Period 8 without knowing what it's about.
Period 8 is a unique, creative story. I can't say I've read anything like it before. I've read some reviews that say it's about bullying, but what is happening in this school is way different than traditional bullying. So I wouldn't call it a bullying book.
The difficulties I had with Period 8 are the slow pace at the beginning and the far-fetched premise. We are about half way through the book before anything really out of the ordinary occurs. There's a lot of build up -- setting up the characters and their histories. Too much build up, in my opinion. For half the book, I had no idea where this story was headed. And, I don't mean that in a good way. It's just a bunch of high school students that have this special relationship because of this class. So what?
Secondly, when you do find out who the bad guys are and why these things are happening, I really didn't buy it. I was fascinated and intrigued, but in reality, I can't see anything like this really happening and going on for so long without people finding out about it. It's a bit over the top for me.
Period 8 is well written, relatable, short, and realistically portrays high school relationships. For that reason, I can easily recommend it to my students. The ending is very exciting, and I don't think they will be as critical as I am about the premise.
Paul is a member of "Period 8," a class that certain students attend at Heller High. You can talk about anything you want, or just listen. It's basically just a bull session. Paul makes a big mistake - he cheats on his long-time girlfriend, Hannah. And, he feels so bad he has to tell her. Of course they break up, and this is the beginning of a big mess. All is not what it seems (and that's an understatement) and the mess involves many more students than just Hannah and Paul.
I'm being purposefully vague, because I have to be. You really need to go into Period 8 without knowing what it's about.
Period 8 is a unique, creative story. I can't say I've read anything like it before. I've read some reviews that say it's about bullying, but what is happening in this school is way different than traditional bullying. So I wouldn't call it a bullying book.
The difficulties I had with Period 8 are the slow pace at the beginning and the far-fetched premise. We are about half way through the book before anything really out of the ordinary occurs. There's a lot of build up -- setting up the characters and their histories. Too much build up, in my opinion. For half the book, I had no idea where this story was headed. And, I don't mean that in a good way. It's just a bunch of high school students that have this special relationship because of this class. So what?
Secondly, when you do find out who the bad guys are and why these things are happening, I really didn't buy it. I was fascinated and intrigued, but in reality, I can't see anything like this really happening and going on for so long without people finding out about it. It's a bit over the top for me.
Period 8 is well written, relatable, short, and realistically portrays high school relationships. For that reason, I can easily recommend it to my students. The ending is very exciting, and I don't think they will be as critical as I am about the premise.
April 6, 2013
I am a huge Chris Crutcher fan. I really respect him - as an author and as a person. I couldn't wait to read Period 8, and I will have a line of students when I return to school waiting for this one as well. It doesn't disappoint. There are some classic Crutcher elements - the strong language, the wise teacher/mentor, the imperfect narrator that you can't help but to pull for, the real-life issues that people don't like to talk about.
But this novel feels a little different that the others. At the forefront is the mystery. Many of the harder issues that are often tackled in Crutcher novels are not absent but are there in a more subtle way.
Other reviews have commented on Period 8's being unrealistic. But when we read a book or watch a movie, in order to really get into it, we must "suspend disbelief." I think I learned that term in an English class somewhere. If you want reality, watch the news. I feel like a good novel is something that entertains while sticking with you and making you think even after you've put it down. Chris Crutcher is a master at that.
But this novel feels a little different that the others. At the forefront is the mystery. Many of the harder issues that are often tackled in Crutcher novels are not absent but are there in a more subtle way.
Other reviews have commented on Period 8's being unrealistic. But when we read a book or watch a movie, in order to really get into it, we must "suspend disbelief." I think I learned that term in an English class somewhere. If you want reality, watch the news. I feel like a good novel is something that entertains while sticking with you and making you think even after you've put it down. Chris Crutcher is a master at that.
March 25, 2013
This book is supposedly about the "ultimate bully." Picking up this book, I expected a gritty contemporary about the dark side of high school and teenagers struggling with moral conflicts. What I got was a high school drama overloaded with hormones and teenage angst.
The plot is dull and disorganized. The story is introduced seemingly with the assumption that we know who the characters area. There's a reason why it's often discouraged to start a story with dialogue. We don't know anything about the characters or the plot yet. It would have been fine if enough backstory was given along with the dialogue, but it isn't. The same trend continues throughout the novel with the dialogue dominating the text. Several chapters into the plot, I still had no idea what was going on.
When I was wondering where the bully was, I find out that this is more of a crime novel (but not really) than a bully novel, a girl goes missing and suddenly reappears, refusing to talk about what happens to her, and a bunch of other messed-up things happen. This actually could have been an interesting novel if it focused more on the mystery/crime/thriller aspect and did a better job of setting up the context, such as setting up character motivation, grounding the story more, and elaborating more on what was going on. There can be such thing as too much detail, but in this case there was far too little.
Period 8 felt like a confessional. Rather than being an eighth period at the end of the day, it's a group that meets up at lunch to discuss whatever they want to talk. For the most part, it's about their own problems, and private arguments often get mixed up in this class. I didn't like how the students talk. Not only is their language littered with cuss words, they often talk down to one another. At one point early on in the novel, the boys even make excuses about why a guy might cheat on his girlfriend. They also call a girl "Virgin Mary" just because they think she hasn't had sex before, which apparently is very unusual at their school. Their attitudes and actions were a shocker for me because I don't live in that kind of world, and it doesn't seem like a healthy environment. There's so much angst and hormones flying around. That's the most color the characters have. For the most part, they're flat and either boring or plain annoying. I never felt as though I really got to know any of them, which was especially hard because the story often changed perspectives for no apparent reason. All it did was make me more annoyed at certain characters after being suddenly bombarded with their personal problems.
On the whole, this book was one big headache for me. I won't be recommending it.
--
For more of my reviews, visit my blog Imaginary Reads.
The plot is dull and disorganized. The story is introduced seemingly with the assumption that we know who the characters area. There's a reason why it's often discouraged to start a story with dialogue. We don't know anything about the characters or the plot yet. It would have been fine if enough backstory was given along with the dialogue, but it isn't. The same trend continues throughout the novel with the dialogue dominating the text. Several chapters into the plot, I still had no idea what was going on.
When I was wondering where the bully was, I find out that this is more of a crime novel (but not really) than a bully novel, a girl goes missing and suddenly reappears, refusing to talk about what happens to her, and a bunch of other messed-up things happen. This actually could have been an interesting novel if it focused more on the mystery/crime/thriller aspect and did a better job of setting up the context, such as setting up character motivation, grounding the story more, and elaborating more on what was going on. There can be such thing as too much detail, but in this case there was far too little.
Period 8 felt like a confessional. Rather than being an eighth period at the end of the day, it's a group that meets up at lunch to discuss whatever they want to talk. For the most part, it's about their own problems, and private arguments often get mixed up in this class. I didn't like how the students talk. Not only is their language littered with cuss words, they often talk down to one another. At one point early on in the novel, the boys even make excuses about why a guy might cheat on his girlfriend. They also call a girl "Virgin Mary" just because they think she hasn't had sex before, which apparently is very unusual at their school. Their attitudes and actions were a shocker for me because I don't live in that kind of world, and it doesn't seem like a healthy environment. There's so much angst and hormones flying around. That's the most color the characters have. For the most part, they're flat and either boring or plain annoying. I never felt as though I really got to know any of them, which was especially hard because the story often changed perspectives for no apparent reason. All it did was make me more annoyed at certain characters after being suddenly bombarded with their personal problems.
On the whole, this book was one big headache for me. I won't be recommending it.
--
For more of my reviews, visit my blog Imaginary Reads.
November 21, 2012
Getting to listen to Crutcher talk about the book before I read it was heaven...he talked about reading Dave Cullen's COLUMBINE and being completely chilled by the portrayal of the sociopath, Eric. He told us he wanted to create a character who could 'easily get into the thread' of everyday life. That he has done.
I'm probably the only person you know who's read Crutcher's book THE DEEP END, an adult thriller...I see reflections here. In that early book, I kind of pegged Crutcher as the hero, the child psychologist who will go to any ends to save a little one. In this one, I see him as Logs, the teacher nearing retirement, feeling like he has nothing to lose, and giving kids a safe place to hang out and talk...Period 8, lunch. There were times when I, as the public school teacher, cringed as he invited kids into his home at night, and talked to them on the phone. The world wouldn't probably let that happen...
But this book isn't about Logs...it's about the kids who feel safe in his Period 8 -- what's said there, stays there. Everyone honors confidentiality...or do they? Into this group of bright kids, Crutcher has inserted a masked student...someone who is not what he or she appears to be.
I loved the third-person narrator. Usually we only get to know the inside of one character's heart; but here, we see the struggles and triumphs of several students: Paulie, who's been thrust into the role of his mother's confidant, the boy who will try to save the world...the boy who will try to out-swim his troubles. Hannah, who doesn't believe in areas of gray in a relationship; Mary, who's dealing with so much more at home than anyone knows...Mary, whose disappearance throws these kids into a horrifying mystery that reaches far beyond Period 8.
I loved the suspense...I knew to look for a sociopath, and easily identified the character...then I watched as webs were spun, people were deceived, lives were ruined.
I love that he pulls NO punches here...kids talk like the kids I know. They think about and do the things my students do. There's a authenticity in the rawness of the language, that rings true to kids, and drives adults crazy. We don't want to believe kids know these things, say these things. He knows different, and he's courageous enough to be truthful. It would be easier to soften the language and situations. But it would be a lie.
I trust Crutcher's storytelling, and his instincts for kids. I trust his storytelling, his passion for doing the right thing, the hard thing. I fall in love with each of his heroes, and I love his strong girls.
This book has the richness and narrative layers you expect of Picoult, but his insights into kids is even deeper.
I'm probably the only person you know who's read Crutcher's book THE DEEP END, an adult thriller...I see reflections here. In that early book, I kind of pegged Crutcher as the hero, the child psychologist who will go to any ends to save a little one. In this one, I see him as Logs, the teacher nearing retirement, feeling like he has nothing to lose, and giving kids a safe place to hang out and talk...Period 8, lunch. There were times when I, as the public school teacher, cringed as he invited kids into his home at night, and talked to them on the phone. The world wouldn't probably let that happen...
But this book isn't about Logs...it's about the kids who feel safe in his Period 8 -- what's said there, stays there. Everyone honors confidentiality...or do they? Into this group of bright kids, Crutcher has inserted a masked student...someone who is not what he or she appears to be.
I loved the third-person narrator. Usually we only get to know the inside of one character's heart; but here, we see the struggles and triumphs of several students: Paulie, who's been thrust into the role of his mother's confidant, the boy who will try to save the world...the boy who will try to out-swim his troubles. Hannah, who doesn't believe in areas of gray in a relationship; Mary, who's dealing with so much more at home than anyone knows...Mary, whose disappearance throws these kids into a horrifying mystery that reaches far beyond Period 8.
I loved the suspense...I knew to look for a sociopath, and easily identified the character...then I watched as webs were spun, people were deceived, lives were ruined.
I love that he pulls NO punches here...kids talk like the kids I know. They think about and do the things my students do. There's a authenticity in the rawness of the language, that rings true to kids, and drives adults crazy. We don't want to believe kids know these things, say these things. He knows different, and he's courageous enough to be truthful. It would be easier to soften the language and situations. But it would be a lie.
I trust Crutcher's storytelling, and his instincts for kids. I trust his storytelling, his passion for doing the right thing, the hard thing. I fall in love with each of his heroes, and I love his strong girls.
This book has the richness and narrative layers you expect of Picoult, but his insights into kids is even deeper.
September 5, 2013
Tak turns to Hannah. “Soon as schools out take your journalism recorder out on the street and ask every adult you pass if they’re with the girl or boy they were with in high school.”
Hannah says, “This is….”
“Naw, serious,”Tak says. “We aren’t made so we know exactly what to do. We gotta fuck up to find out.”
Start by remembering this is Chris Crutcher.
Period 8 is an optional period where students join a group under the direction of “Logs,” the outstanding teacher character for this book. It is a place where anything can be said, and nothing travels outside the room. Period. Period 8 Period.
Then Mary Wells is missing. Then betrayals and lies.
It is also a story where Hannah sees the world in black and white. And where Paulie always tells the truth. No matter who gets hurt. We have the ultimate bad guy and the ultimate good guy. So many absolutes, so little time.
Like all Crutcher books, once you begin to examine people as individuals, there is so much more to the story.
Once we look at Mary Wells (called the Virgin Mary) we see her freakish father; once we look closely at Arney, we see a master manipulator (or future politician); once we look at Logs, we see a teacher about to retire, ambiguous about leaving kids. And as with all Crutcher books, nuances surround everyone. Of course nothing is black and white, in real life, and definitely not in Crutcher books.
And of course, there are lots of loose ends…decisions still to be made….
Hannah says, “This is….”
“Naw, serious,”Tak says. “We aren’t made so we know exactly what to do. We gotta fuck up to find out.”
Start by remembering this is Chris Crutcher.
Period 8 is an optional period where students join a group under the direction of “Logs,” the outstanding teacher character for this book. It is a place where anything can be said, and nothing travels outside the room. Period. Period 8 Period.
Then Mary Wells is missing. Then betrayals and lies.
It is also a story where Hannah sees the world in black and white. And where Paulie always tells the truth. No matter who gets hurt. We have the ultimate bad guy and the ultimate good guy. So many absolutes, so little time.
Like all Crutcher books, once you begin to examine people as individuals, there is so much more to the story.
Once we look at Mary Wells (called the Virgin Mary) we see her freakish father; once we look closely at Arney, we see a master manipulator (or future politician); once we look at Logs, we see a teacher about to retire, ambiguous about leaving kids. And as with all Crutcher books, nuances surround everyone. Of course nothing is black and white, in real life, and definitely not in Crutcher books.
And of course, there are lots of loose ends…decisions still to be made….
August 6, 2013
This was a fast read, and I had it knocked out in about three hours. Chris Crutcher does a great job keeping you at the edge of your seat, guessing as to what is about to happen next. And it's no use, because you won't figure out what in the hell is going on until the end.
Period 8 is an hour long hang out/lunch time/open discussion that students at Heller High can participate in. The only only rules are that you have to keep it real (no lying and be honest) and what gets discussed in Period 8, STAYS in Period 8.
The truth isn't always simple though, when Paulie tells his girlfriend Hannah that he cheated on her, shit hits the fan and it seems to start a chain of events that no one could have foreseen. Mr. Logs, their trusty teacher, tries to hold the glue together, but easier said than done. When Mary goes missing, everyone in Period 8 realize that someone is lying. Can Paulie and Hannah pull through and settle their differences and work together to help find Mary? Why did Mary run away? All these questions and more build up until the fiery conclusion.
Great page turner!
Period 8 is an hour long hang out/lunch time/open discussion that students at Heller High can participate in. The only only rules are that you have to keep it real (no lying and be honest) and what gets discussed in Period 8, STAYS in Period 8.
The truth isn't always simple though, when Paulie tells his girlfriend Hannah that he cheated on her, shit hits the fan and it seems to start a chain of events that no one could have foreseen. Mr. Logs, their trusty teacher, tries to hold the glue together, but easier said than done. When Mary goes missing, everyone in Period 8 realize that someone is lying. Can Paulie and Hannah pull through and settle their differences and work together to help find Mary? Why did Mary run away? All these questions and more build up until the fiery conclusion.
Great page turner!
April 29, 2013
I thought this book was great! In this day and age, when I feel that teens are babied and taught that they will and should be great at everything, this was a refreshing read. It was gritty and realistic. If a students can have a drug ring, they can definitely have a sex ring.
Arney Stacks was quite an original. I liked that Crutcher illustrated that teens can be very cunning and manipulative. That you just can't give everyone the benefit of the doubt. In the case of Mary Wells and Kylie, he showed that you can't judge a book by its cover. Just because some is rich doesn't mean life is grand and just because someone is poor doesn't mean they struggle.
Ahh and with Paulie and Heather, the old age question comes up, "If he cheats, should I stay?" Of course, I can't forget Mr. Logs. The teacher that knows everything because he's cool like that. You know, the teacher that students love because he/she teaches but is also down to earth.
Arney Stacks was quite an original. I liked that Crutcher illustrated that teens can be very cunning and manipulative. That you just can't give everyone the benefit of the doubt. In the case of Mary Wells and Kylie, he showed that you can't judge a book by its cover. Just because some is rich doesn't mean life is grand and just because someone is poor doesn't mean they struggle.
Ahh and with Paulie and Heather, the old age question comes up, "If he cheats, should I stay?" Of course, I can't forget Mr. Logs. The teacher that knows everything because he's cool like that. You know, the teacher that students love because he/she teaches but is also down to earth.
February 16, 2013
PERIOD 8is Chris Crutcher's latest teen novel and from the first page takes the reader into the hard, dark realities of life. This is classic Crutcher because this man does not avoid the harsh realities that confront teenagers daily. But Crutcher himself admits that he has put this one on steroids. But this novel also features a wise, compassionate adult in the person of Bruce Logsdon, the teacher who opens his classroom during lunch for PERIOD EIGHT. During PERIOD EIGHT students gather in ‘Logs' room to talk about all aspects of their lives. There is one rule - nothing that is shared goes beyond this class. But is everyone following this rule? Of course you have to read this book to find out. Crutcher's story underscores the complexity of life and friendship but offers hope and inspiration for tackling this complexity. A must read!
February 5, 2015
Very deep subject material! Great as usual from Crutcher!! Love all his books.
December 12, 2018
Brianna Escobar
English 9A
Schemenauer
Period 8
By: Chris Crutcher
When I first started reading , I thought to myself that it might just be another book about two people breaking up which is nothing new. It made me wonder a lot of unanswered questions which makes the book sound even better, because the more questions you have the more you want to read about what happens. When I started digging deeper into the book, I didn’t even want to put the book down from how intense the book kept getting and it made me feel like I was really there, experiencing what was happening. The book had me on the edge of the seat because I really wanted to see what was going to happen next.
The book was about a young teenager named Paulie and he cheated on his girlfriend, Hannah. He never told anybody who he truly cheated on his girlfriend with, the girl’s name was Mary, and she had ran away. The mystery to this book was that nobody knew the real reason why she ran away. Was she running away from her problems? Did she do something wrong? It’s an unsolved mystery that you have to solve. I think this was a book that stood out, and speaks out to you because it’s the king of things that happens in real life, and are real life problems. I won’t lie, it was hard trying to connect with the characters because it felt like they just talked about Paulie and Hannah’s breakup for the entire book. I feel like it could’ve had more to it. It was also very disturbing the amount of profanity that was used or the inappropriate things that they would say. Period 8 wouldn’t be a book that I would read again, just a one time experience.
English 9A
Schemenauer
Period 8
By: Chris Crutcher
When I first started reading , I thought to myself that it might just be another book about two people breaking up which is nothing new. It made me wonder a lot of unanswered questions which makes the book sound even better, because the more questions you have the more you want to read about what happens. When I started digging deeper into the book, I didn’t even want to put the book down from how intense the book kept getting and it made me feel like I was really there, experiencing what was happening. The book had me on the edge of the seat because I really wanted to see what was going to happen next.
The book was about a young teenager named Paulie and he cheated on his girlfriend, Hannah. He never told anybody who he truly cheated on his girlfriend with, the girl’s name was Mary, and she had ran away. The mystery to this book was that nobody knew the real reason why she ran away. Was she running away from her problems? Did she do something wrong? It’s an unsolved mystery that you have to solve. I think this was a book that stood out, and speaks out to you because it’s the king of things that happens in real life, and are real life problems. I won’t lie, it was hard trying to connect with the characters because it felt like they just talked about Paulie and Hannah’s breakup for the entire book. I feel like it could’ve had more to it. It was also very disturbing the amount of profanity that was used or the inappropriate things that they would say. Period 8 wouldn’t be a book that I would read again, just a one time experience.
August 4, 2014
***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***
Period 8 by Chris Crutcher
Publisher: Harper Collins
Publication Date: March 26, 2013
Rating: 3 stars
Source: eARC provided by the publisher from Edelweiss
Summary (from Goodreads):
In this full-length novel from Chris Crutcher, his first since the best-selling Deadline, the ultimate bully and the ultimate good guy tangle during Period 8.
Paul "the Bomb" Baum tells the truth. No matter what. It was something he learned at Sunday School. But telling the truth can cause problems, and not minor ones. And as Paulie discovers, finding the truth can be even more problematic. Period 8 is supposed to be that one period in high school where the truth can shine, a safe haven. Only what Paulie and Hannah (his ex-girlfriend, unfortunately) and his other classmates don't know is that the ultimate bully, the ultimate liar, is in their midst.
Terrifying, thought-provoking, and original, this novel combines all the qualities of a great thriller with the controversy, ethics, and raw emotion of a classic Crutcher story.
What I Liked:
I could immediately tell from the flowing style of writing of this book that this author is very experienced in writing, and can spin a tale precisely how he wanted it to be spun. I loved how this book was crafted, in terms of the plot, characters, definitely the descriptive scenes and dialogue. Mr. Crutcher did an excellent job with this book's overall structure.
The plot itself was not boring. This book is considered a thriller, I believe, and as it started to pick up, I could see how it would be labeled as a thriller. "The ultimate bully" is someone that readers can easily pick out, but it is what the person is doing that is difficult to decipher. The end of the book, the last, say, 25%, went by very quickly, as there was a plethora of action and points that needed to be resolved.
Paulie is a fabulous character. This book is predominately told him from point-of-view, in third person limited to him. We do get to see flashes of other people's points-of-view, especially as readers learn more about the hidden secrets of "the ultimate bully". He is a likable hero, and I can't believe I'm saying this, but I totally felt bad for him, because of the repercussions of his actions in the beginning of the book. Then I would catch myself, and remind myself that I would never want anyone to do that to me. But still! I really like Paulie.
The supporting characters of Hannah, Justin, and Mr. Logs add excellent dimension to this book. Mr. Logs is the "Period 8" teacher, and he is an interesting character. He is the "mentor" archetype, and he is a constant, ever-present character that plays a pivotal role in this book. He's, um, very strange, but I can't see how the book would be anything without him. Hannah and Justin - they are not as dynamic in their role, but their parts in this story are pretty big as well.
I'll say that once I got into this book, I enjoyed it. The ending is pretty good, and it definitely leaves room for more books. I have no idea if this book is a standalone or part of a series.
What I Did Not Like:
There were several significant things that I did not enjoy. First, this book was slightly boring. Okay, a good amount of boring. I said earlier that the plot was not boring. That's true - the sequence of events were actually really interesting. But the transitioning between events, or just waiting for the events, was terribly boring. The opening 25%, and possibly more, was so hard to read. I found myself unwilling to keep reading. The beginning is confusing, and hard to get into and enjoy.
It wasn't until about 40% that the plot really moved. The previous part of the book was informational, and all about educating the reader on what Period 8 was, what Paulie did, who each character was. Really, it was a little extensive, and excessive. All of that information was not need, and this made the beginning very slow. I can understand why people did not finish this book, because you need to get past about 40% of this book to really get to the interesting part of the book.
Remember when I mentioned that Mr. Logs was strange? Yes, he is really weird. I mean, which teacher lets his female student come talk to him at midnight? Don't get me wrong, nothing of that nature happened, but do you understand the implications? Mr. Logs is pretty old! He's like, in his sixties, I believe? Which makes it even weirder that he and Paulie often go swimming together. Again, nothing of that nature is going on, but I do not know any teacher that would do anything like that with his current (or former) students.
I'm going to be honest: I was confused at several points of this book. And I was confused about major things, like what "the ultimate bully" was doing. Or what Mary Wells was doing. Of course, as readers, I don't think we were supposed to understand everything until the end. But here's the thing: even the end doesn't quite resolve everything. I was still confused at the end! From what I did understand, some aspects were wrapped up, and some characters got their "happy endings". But other major points were not resolved, or at least explained a little. Is this an opening for a sequel? Maybe. But I really think the author should have explained more at the end of the book, instead of spending so much space with the beginning.
Would I Recommend It:
I enjoyed this book, but it definitely is NOT for everyone. It's a good mystery one, but I have a feeling that many people won't be happy with the slow beginning and confusing end.
Rating:
3 stars. I would definitely read the sequel of this book, if there is one. The open, non-resolved ending intrigued me, so I would interested in any follow-ups.
Period 8 by Chris Crutcher
Publisher: Harper Collins
Publication Date: March 26, 2013
Rating: 3 stars
Source: eARC provided by the publisher from Edelweiss
Summary (from Goodreads):
In this full-length novel from Chris Crutcher, his first since the best-selling Deadline, the ultimate bully and the ultimate good guy tangle during Period 8.
Paul "the Bomb" Baum tells the truth. No matter what. It was something he learned at Sunday School. But telling the truth can cause problems, and not minor ones. And as Paulie discovers, finding the truth can be even more problematic. Period 8 is supposed to be that one period in high school where the truth can shine, a safe haven. Only what Paulie and Hannah (his ex-girlfriend, unfortunately) and his other classmates don't know is that the ultimate bully, the ultimate liar, is in their midst.
Terrifying, thought-provoking, and original, this novel combines all the qualities of a great thriller with the controversy, ethics, and raw emotion of a classic Crutcher story.
What I Liked:
I could immediately tell from the flowing style of writing of this book that this author is very experienced in writing, and can spin a tale precisely how he wanted it to be spun. I loved how this book was crafted, in terms of the plot, characters, definitely the descriptive scenes and dialogue. Mr. Crutcher did an excellent job with this book's overall structure.
The plot itself was not boring. This book is considered a thriller, I believe, and as it started to pick up, I could see how it would be labeled as a thriller. "The ultimate bully" is someone that readers can easily pick out, but it is what the person is doing that is difficult to decipher. The end of the book, the last, say, 25%, went by very quickly, as there was a plethora of action and points that needed to be resolved.
Paulie is a fabulous character. This book is predominately told him from point-of-view, in third person limited to him. We do get to see flashes of other people's points-of-view, especially as readers learn more about the hidden secrets of "the ultimate bully". He is a likable hero, and I can't believe I'm saying this, but I totally felt bad for him, because of the repercussions of his actions in the beginning of the book. Then I would catch myself, and remind myself that I would never want anyone to do that to me. But still! I really like Paulie.
The supporting characters of Hannah, Justin, and Mr. Logs add excellent dimension to this book. Mr. Logs is the "Period 8" teacher, and he is an interesting character. He is the "mentor" archetype, and he is a constant, ever-present character that plays a pivotal role in this book. He's, um, very strange, but I can't see how the book would be anything without him. Hannah and Justin - they are not as dynamic in their role, but their parts in this story are pretty big as well.
I'll say that once I got into this book, I enjoyed it. The ending is pretty good, and it definitely leaves room for more books. I have no idea if this book is a standalone or part of a series.
What I Did Not Like:
There were several significant things that I did not enjoy. First, this book was slightly boring. Okay, a good amount of boring. I said earlier that the plot was not boring. That's true - the sequence of events were actually really interesting. But the transitioning between events, or just waiting for the events, was terribly boring. The opening 25%, and possibly more, was so hard to read. I found myself unwilling to keep reading. The beginning is confusing, and hard to get into and enjoy.
It wasn't until about 40% that the plot really moved. The previous part of the book was informational, and all about educating the reader on what Period 8 was, what Paulie did, who each character was. Really, it was a little extensive, and excessive. All of that information was not need, and this made the beginning very slow. I can understand why people did not finish this book, because you need to get past about 40% of this book to really get to the interesting part of the book.
Remember when I mentioned that Mr. Logs was strange? Yes, he is really weird. I mean, which teacher lets his female student come talk to him at midnight? Don't get me wrong, nothing of that nature happened, but do you understand the implications? Mr. Logs is pretty old! He's like, in his sixties, I believe? Which makes it even weirder that he and Paulie often go swimming together. Again, nothing of that nature is going on, but I do not know any teacher that would do anything like that with his current (or former) students.
I'm going to be honest: I was confused at several points of this book. And I was confused about major things, like what "the ultimate bully" was doing. Or what Mary Wells was doing. Of course, as readers, I don't think we were supposed to understand everything until the end. But here's the thing: even the end doesn't quite resolve everything. I was still confused at the end! From what I did understand, some aspects were wrapped up, and some characters got their "happy endings". But other major points were not resolved, or at least explained a little. Is this an opening for a sequel? Maybe. But I really think the author should have explained more at the end of the book, instead of spending so much space with the beginning.
Would I Recommend It:
I enjoyed this book, but it definitely is NOT for everyone. It's a good mystery one, but I have a feeling that many people won't be happy with the slow beginning and confusing end.
Rating:
3 stars. I would definitely read the sequel of this book, if there is one. The open, non-resolved ending intrigued me, so I would interested in any follow-ups.
October 26, 2018
The book period 8 is set in what seems like a small normal town. At first, the book is a little repetitive and is just regular high school drama, but quickly escalates when a girl in their class goes missing and nobody can find her. The kids don't know what to think, but start piecing together the clues to find out that their friend since kindergarten, Arney Stack, was involved with the missing and turned out to also be involved with a fire that happened at a girl, Kylie, from their classes house shortly after that. The book ends with Arney going to jail, the girl is still missing and Kylie is now in a psych ward. Over all I liked how it kept getting more dramatic and intense as the book went on.
March 28, 2019
I forgot to put this in but it was a really good book it teaches how someone should treat their significant other and a couple other good lessons.
November 29, 2017
Period 8 from Chris Crutcher is probably my favorite book I have read this year because, it brings out what really is happening with society and relationships out in the world. And also brings a lot of humor. Which that's one reason why I love this book and Chris Crutcher’s work. He knows how to make someone laugh and at the same time catch someone's attention.
Period 8 is about a group of friends who are in love with swimming, who is Paul and Hannah and many other characters. And midway through the story it’s where all the drama starts. Period 8 is supposed to be that one period in high school where the truth can shine a safe haven. Only what Paulie and Hannah “his ex-girlfriend” and his other classmates don't know is the true enemy and that is the ultimate bully, the ultimate liar, is in their midst. the reason why all the drama started.
Period 8 is a book that you can read when you need something that can make someone laugh for a long time and catch your attention quickly. I’m really recommend this book for people who want a story with a hard ending.
Period 8 is about a group of friends who are in love with swimming, who is Paul and Hannah and many other characters. And midway through the story it’s where all the drama starts. Period 8 is supposed to be that one period in high school where the truth can shine a safe haven. Only what Paulie and Hannah “his ex-girlfriend” and his other classmates don't know is the true enemy and that is the ultimate bully, the ultimate liar, is in their midst. the reason why all the drama started.
Period 8 is a book that you can read when you need something that can make someone laugh for a long time and catch your attention quickly. I’m really recommend this book for people who want a story with a hard ending.
November 12, 2022
More of a 3.5 because it’s a quick read & extremely suspenseful.
The relationship the teacher had with Period 8 was a bit strange to me, plus I feel like there were some major plot holes towards the end. Overall, this is a decent YA thriller.
The relationship the teacher had with Period 8 was a bit strange to me, plus I feel like there were some major plot holes towards the end. Overall, this is a decent YA thriller.
June 29, 2013
A Young Adult novel that asks some hard questions.
My Take
WOW! This was fabulous and terrifying. I love the idea of Period 8 and a teacher like Logs. It should be a requirement in every school, except it wouldn't work, but the concept is...wow.
No, Period 8 isn't deep philosophy. It's more of a peek into high school life and students' thoughts as Crutcher sets up the background for the suspense of the story, and he does a good job of stretching it out, keeping us in suspense. Nor does he ever provide concluding details which is what brings it down a point for me. Just way too many loose threads and no real conclusion.
I feel so bad for Paulie. His parents are off-again and on-again because his dad can't keep it in his pants and his mom keeps caving because she loves him. And Paulie's got his perspective on this. I love that he lays it out there for his dad. And it shocks me that his dad is so childish about this.
Most of it is a slice of real life. It's the suspense aspect that takes it into a whole 'nother realm with one student with Jekyll-Hyde reactions and another who's "caring" for everyone.
What I liked about this story is the introspection on Paulie's part. He's a good kid with good morals, trying to do the right thing. Its high school issues that are used to create the emotions, the stresses that turn out to be clues to something so much deeper.
The most terrifying part for me turned out to be Landry's taunting in that last scene. I was so afraid they'd turn on him.
I did like Logs' advice at the end: "Don't listen to me." It was so not what I wanted to hear, but very real.
The Story
It's bad judgment, but an honest one, on Paulie's part. In many ways, however, it will be a salvation for future victims as it provides Paulie with an inside track on one victim.
The Characters
Paul Baum, a.k.a., Paulie Bomb, is an open-water swimmer and a student at Heller High. Roger Baum is his philandering father, a trait that Paulie is terrified he's inherited. Lilly Baum is his mom.
Classmates in Period 8 include:
Hannah Murphy is Paulie's girlfriend until he confesses. Justin Chenier is his best friend. Josh "Tak" Takeuchi is on the wrestling team; Marley Waits; Taylor Max; and, Kylie Clinton, a new student, has issues at home.
Mary Wells has an über controlling father and is known throughout the school as the Virgin Mary---no boy dares to get near her! Arney Stack is the ultimate politician and the student body president, albeit as a high school student, saying and promising whatever he has to, manipulating to get what he wants. Bobby Wright is a shy, insecure guy.
Bruce "Logs" Logsdon teaches science and social studies, runs Period 8 at lunchtime, and does open-water swimming with Paulie. It's his last year teaching before his retirement. Dr. Marj Johannsen is the principal.
Other students include:
Ron Firth, Carrie Morales, and their friends are part of a religious group.
Officer Rankin is the cop to whom all the Mary Wells problems fall. Woody Hansen is one of the businessmen in Arney's project. Naomi Washburn is a friend of Paulie's mom's. Miriam Wells is Mary's doormat of a mother with no clue what her daughter is thinking; Becca is Mary's younger sister. Arnold Stack Sr. needs to be shot. Rick Praeger manages the Comfort Inn. Landry Faulk is Justin's stepdad.
The Cover
The cover is weird. It's Paulie doing push-ups on a red carpet above a night scene of escape, of Logs attempting to hold on, to survive in the water.
The title is the class, a placeholder for students with nothing scheduled for that hour but lunch, Period 8, when philosophy and the travails of their lives are pondered.
My Take
WOW! This was fabulous and terrifying. I love the idea of Period 8 and a teacher like Logs. It should be a requirement in every school, except it wouldn't work, but the concept is...wow.
No, Period 8 isn't deep philosophy. It's more of a peek into high school life and students' thoughts as Crutcher sets up the background for the suspense of the story, and he does a good job of stretching it out, keeping us in suspense. Nor does he ever provide concluding details which is what brings it down a point for me. Just way too many loose threads and no real conclusion.
I feel so bad for Paulie. His parents are off-again and on-again because his dad can't keep it in his pants and his mom keeps caving because she loves him. And Paulie's got his perspective on this. I love that he lays it out there for his dad. And it shocks me that his dad is so childish about this.
Most of it is a slice of real life. It's the suspense aspect that takes it into a whole 'nother realm with one student with Jekyll-Hyde reactions and another who's "caring" for everyone.
What I liked about this story is the introspection on Paulie's part. He's a good kid with good morals, trying to do the right thing. Its high school issues that are used to create the emotions, the stresses that turn out to be clues to something so much deeper.
The most terrifying part for me turned out to be Landry's taunting in that last scene. I was so afraid they'd turn on him.
I did like Logs' advice at the end: "Don't listen to me." It was so not what I wanted to hear, but very real.
The Story
It's bad judgment, but an honest one, on Paulie's part. In many ways, however, it will be a salvation for future victims as it provides Paulie with an inside track on one victim.
The Characters
Paul Baum, a.k.a., Paulie Bomb, is an open-water swimmer and a student at Heller High. Roger Baum is his philandering father, a trait that Paulie is terrified he's inherited. Lilly Baum is his mom.
Classmates in Period 8 include:
Hannah Murphy is Paulie's girlfriend until he confesses. Justin Chenier is his best friend. Josh "Tak" Takeuchi is on the wrestling team; Marley Waits; Taylor Max; and, Kylie Clinton, a new student, has issues at home.
Mary Wells has an über controlling father and is known throughout the school as the Virgin Mary---no boy dares to get near her! Arney Stack is the ultimate politician and the student body president, albeit as a high school student, saying and promising whatever he has to, manipulating to get what he wants. Bobby Wright is a shy, insecure guy.
Bruce "Logs" Logsdon teaches science and social studies, runs Period 8 at lunchtime, and does open-water swimming with Paulie. It's his last year teaching before his retirement. Dr. Marj Johannsen is the principal.
Other students include:
Ron Firth, Carrie Morales, and their friends are part of a religious group.
Officer Rankin is the cop to whom all the Mary Wells problems fall. Woody Hansen is one of the businessmen in Arney's project. Naomi Washburn is a friend of Paulie's mom's. Miriam Wells is Mary's doormat of a mother with no clue what her daughter is thinking; Becca is Mary's younger sister. Arnold Stack Sr. needs to be shot. Rick Praeger manages the Comfort Inn. Landry Faulk is Justin's stepdad.
The Cover
The cover is weird. It's Paulie doing push-ups on a red carpet above a night scene of escape, of Logs attempting to hold on, to survive in the water.
The title is the class, a placeholder for students with nothing scheduled for that hour but lunch, Period 8, when philosophy and the travails of their lives are pondered.
December 1, 2018
Hm...this book is difficult to review because the good things about it are SO good, but the bad things are just so very bad.
I'll start with the good. The main character is incredibly likable. Paulie Baum is a senior who has a secret. He can't reveal all of it, but it has him guilty enough that he shares part of it with his girlfriend Hannah. The reveal doesn't go over very well, but it lets us know that Paulie has a conscience, and his kindness works against him in this book. We get to see his internal conflict with his actions and his internal thoughts regarding the people and events happening around him, and he seems quite real. I like a good, conflicted character, and a high school boy who tries so hard to be good instead of trying to be a rebel jerk.
The book also contains a mystery that involves members of Period 8, the crew that hangs out together every day and talks honestly about what is going on in their lives. It's unclear if they choose to come to Period 8 or if they have to go for some reason. (I wish the details of it were clearer.) The mystery throughout most of the book is truly Netflix worthy. I kept thinking, this HAS to be turned into a miniseries a la 13 Reasons Why. Unfortunately, the bad in the book detracts from the positives.
There are way too many unbelievable things going in this story. The Period 8 teacher, Mr. Logs, goes swimming at night with his student. He then goes to a college hot tub with him after the late night swim. Nothing scandalous happens, but it's not really believable that a teacher would spend so much time alone with a student unless their parents were friends or something, and that doesn't seem to be the case here. Logs also has a student, Hannah, come to his house at midnight, and Logs let's her in and spends time with her. Again, nothing scandalous happens, but why do these kids have to hang out with their teacher? It doesn't make sense. They both have caring parents. The author could have very well have left Period 8 entirely out of the book. It just seemed like a plot construct to present characters and conversation to the reader.
Additionally, when a student is missing, the school sends Mr. Logs and his class on a bus to go into the woods to look for her. What?! That's ridiculous. There were no permission slips, no parent contacts. This is a giant law suit waiting to happen. Why would they want kids searching for what end up being a potentially dead body?! Nope. Would never happen in the real world.
Another con is the constant explaining of things. As readers, we get to see action take place, and then we have to listen to one character tell another character all of the details we just read. It gets old. The main character is also always eating. I guess that's to get him in public having conversations with people, but the description of his food and tastes sound like very novice writing, and Crutcher isn't a novice writer, so that was disappointing. The main character is a swimmer, so I know he's supposed to be eating a lot because of all the calories he's burning, but it gets to be overkill.
Another very, very bad thing was the villainous nature of one of the characters. It was almost laughable at the end of the book just how villainous this character was. I would say more, but I don't want to spoil the book. Suffice it to say, I had a lot of eye rolling going on in my head.
Finally, there were definitely some major plot holes that don't get filled. Again, I won't give away anything, but you'll find yourself wondering "Why this? Why that?" at the end of the book.
All in all, the book had me flipping pages quickly to find out what was going to happen next, but it also had many cringe worthy writer-ly moments.
Side Note: I bought this for my 8th grade classroom because it was a recommended read for reluctant readers, but I don't quite feel comfortable recommending it to my students. It has a LOT of swearing in it, including F-bombs. There is also talk of sex and other adultish subject matter. I'd recommend it to an upper high school class, but it's a bit mature for middle school.
I'll start with the good. The main character is incredibly likable. Paulie Baum is a senior who has a secret. He can't reveal all of it, but it has him guilty enough that he shares part of it with his girlfriend Hannah. The reveal doesn't go over very well, but it lets us know that Paulie has a conscience, and his kindness works against him in this book. We get to see his internal conflict with his actions and his internal thoughts regarding the people and events happening around him, and he seems quite real. I like a good, conflicted character, and a high school boy who tries so hard to be good instead of trying to be a rebel jerk.
The book also contains a mystery that involves members of Period 8, the crew that hangs out together every day and talks honestly about what is going on in their lives. It's unclear if they choose to come to Period 8 or if they have to go for some reason. (I wish the details of it were clearer.) The mystery throughout most of the book is truly Netflix worthy. I kept thinking, this HAS to be turned into a miniseries a la 13 Reasons Why. Unfortunately, the bad in the book detracts from the positives.
There are way too many unbelievable things going in this story. The Period 8 teacher, Mr. Logs, goes swimming at night with his student. He then goes to a college hot tub with him after the late night swim. Nothing scandalous happens, but it's not really believable that a teacher would spend so much time alone with a student unless their parents were friends or something, and that doesn't seem to be the case here. Logs also has a student, Hannah, come to his house at midnight, and Logs let's her in and spends time with her. Again, nothing scandalous happens, but why do these kids have to hang out with their teacher? It doesn't make sense. They both have caring parents. The author could have very well have left Period 8 entirely out of the book. It just seemed like a plot construct to present characters and conversation to the reader.
Additionally, when a student is missing, the school sends Mr. Logs and his class on a bus to go into the woods to look for her. What?! That's ridiculous. There were no permission slips, no parent contacts. This is a giant law suit waiting to happen. Why would they want kids searching for what end up being a potentially dead body?! Nope. Would never happen in the real world.
Another con is the constant explaining of things. As readers, we get to see action take place, and then we have to listen to one character tell another character all of the details we just read. It gets old. The main character is also always eating. I guess that's to get him in public having conversations with people, but the description of his food and tastes sound like very novice writing, and Crutcher isn't a novice writer, so that was disappointing. The main character is a swimmer, so I know he's supposed to be eating a lot because of all the calories he's burning, but it gets to be overkill.
Another very, very bad thing was the villainous nature of one of the characters. It was almost laughable at the end of the book just how villainous this character was. I would say more, but I don't want to spoil the book. Suffice it to say, I had a lot of eye rolling going on in my head.
Finally, there were definitely some major plot holes that don't get filled. Again, I won't give away anything, but you'll find yourself wondering "Why this? Why that?" at the end of the book.
All in all, the book had me flipping pages quickly to find out what was going to happen next, but it also had many cringe worthy writer-ly moments.
Side Note: I bought this for my 8th grade classroom because it was a recommended read for reluctant readers, but I don't quite feel comfortable recommending it to my students. It has a LOT of swearing in it, including F-bombs. There is also talk of sex and other adultish subject matter. I'd recommend it to an upper high school class, but it's a bit mature for middle school.
November 11, 2022
This book left me with a few unanswered questions which I found annoying. I also found the relationship between the teacher and his period 8 a bit odd. Despite the lingering questions, this was highly entertaining and a quick read; I just had to know what the big mystery was.
Trigger warning: trafficking of young women
Trigger warning: trafficking of young women
April 16, 2021
3 stars
Period 8... what are you? Full disclosure: if I hadn't received an ARC of this, I probably wouldn't have picked it up. I'm not a big contemporary person, and this isn't contemporary romance either - which is what I normally pick up from the genre. So the fact that it absorbed me like it did and made me enjoy it so much is really surprising. It was just a great read.
I dove into this book without even really reading the blurb. I think I read it once a few months ago, but that means it long since faded from my memory. I had no idea what to expect and I think that worked in my favor - because looking later, the book is described as "the ultimate bully and the ultimate good guy tangle during Period 8". If I had read that, I would have expected a way different story. Period 8 is much more a subtle, character-driven novel, and not nearly as action-packed/plot-driven as that quote would lead me to believe. So, readers, take care.
Period 8 is like a touching contemporary high school story but with an interesting mysterious twist. Especially the high school elements just touched me so much. Paulie, the main character, has a really close relationship with one of his teachers, Logs. Logs is the teacher that you can tell everything to, and thus he created Period 8, during lunch, where students can talk about whatever's on their minds. That relationship was just so heartfelt to me. I had a similar kind of relationship with one of my high school teachers, so that made the story much more dear to my heart than perhaps some other readers'.
A lot of my liking of this novel stems from the awesome writing. Maybe it's because I've been reading quite a few debuts lately, but halfway through this book I just took a moment to revel in how well-written it was. You could tell Chris Crutcher is a talented author. His writing sucks you in, and that makes me pretty curious to check out his other works.
I also liked the pacing of the novel. The first half focuses very much on the different characters and their relationships with each other - it's more subtle and slow-moving. However, shortly after you cross the halfway point, the mystery really kicks in. Odd things are happening to the students, and some of them are acting really weird, but why? And who is behind it? I was absorbed. I wanted the answers and really just didn't stop reading until I reached the end.
The ending did leave more to be desired. Considering the blurb really pushes this idea of "the ultimate bully, the ultimate liar", you would think (and hope) you'd find out more about the bully's mentality and motivations, especially considering the way he bullies people. But that all stays fairly behind the scenes and we don't get to see that. That, ultimately, is the biggest disappointment in this novel and makes it a little less memorable.
Summing Up:
Period 8 is an interesting contemporary novel. I can honestly say I've never read anything of the sort. It really absorbed me, which took me completely by surprise, considering I had no expectations at all. The ending did leave more to be desired, but it was still a great read.
Recommended To:
Readers in the mood for something different.
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the contents of the review.
Period 8... what are you? Full disclosure: if I hadn't received an ARC of this, I probably wouldn't have picked it up. I'm not a big contemporary person, and this isn't contemporary romance either - which is what I normally pick up from the genre. So the fact that it absorbed me like it did and made me enjoy it so much is really surprising. It was just a great read.
I dove into this book without even really reading the blurb. I think I read it once a few months ago, but that means it long since faded from my memory. I had no idea what to expect and I think that worked in my favor - because looking later, the book is described as "the ultimate bully and the ultimate good guy tangle during Period 8". If I had read that, I would have expected a way different story. Period 8 is much more a subtle, character-driven novel, and not nearly as action-packed/plot-driven as that quote would lead me to believe. So, readers, take care.
Period 8 is like a touching contemporary high school story but with an interesting mysterious twist. Especially the high school elements just touched me so much. Paulie, the main character, has a really close relationship with one of his teachers, Logs. Logs is the teacher that you can tell everything to, and thus he created Period 8, during lunch, where students can talk about whatever's on their minds. That relationship was just so heartfelt to me. I had a similar kind of relationship with one of my high school teachers, so that made the story much more dear to my heart than perhaps some other readers'.
A lot of my liking of this novel stems from the awesome writing. Maybe it's because I've been reading quite a few debuts lately, but halfway through this book I just took a moment to revel in how well-written it was. You could tell Chris Crutcher is a talented author. His writing sucks you in, and that makes me pretty curious to check out his other works.
I also liked the pacing of the novel. The first half focuses very much on the different characters and their relationships with each other - it's more subtle and slow-moving. However, shortly after you cross the halfway point, the mystery really kicks in. Odd things are happening to the students, and some of them are acting really weird, but why? And who is behind it? I was absorbed. I wanted the answers and really just didn't stop reading until I reached the end.
The ending did leave more to be desired. Considering the blurb really pushes this idea of "the ultimate bully, the ultimate liar", you would think (and hope) you'd find out more about the bully's mentality and motivations, especially considering the way he bullies people. But that all stays fairly behind the scenes and we don't get to see that. That, ultimately, is the biggest disappointment in this novel and makes it a little less memorable.
Summing Up:
Period 8 is an interesting contemporary novel. I can honestly say I've never read anything of the sort. It really absorbed me, which took me completely by surprise, considering I had no expectations at all. The ending did leave more to be desired, but it was still a great read.
Recommended To:
Readers in the mood for something different.
*ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the contents of the review.
April 22, 2013
I feel like there were two competing story lines in Period 8. There’s the events of the actual Period 8, a lunchtime get together of a jumble of high school students from different backgrounds, social groups, and grade levels. They’re led by Logs, the supportive teacher who leads what, in essence, becomes a high school therapy group. No topic is off-limits in Period 8, but everything remains confidential.
There’s quite a few scenes that take place in Period 8, and they all felt overly dramatic to me. It was a lot like watching a high school soap opera, and these scenes were by far my least favorite part of the book. While I do appreciate the idea of the listening, caring teacher who actually gets his students and supports them both in and out of class, the way the book reads seems just a little. . . off. I think it might be because we never really see the build-up to Period 8, instead there’s just a mess of characters all talking to each other about things that don’t seem like would normally be discussed so easily. Also, there’s a strong attempt to create a realistic teenage dialogue in this book, and while I think Chris Crutcher gets it better than most, it still feels a little stilted.
That’s story line A. Then, we have story line B, which is where the psychopathic bully comes in. I enjoyed this story line much more, because while it may not have been exactly realistic, the action didn’t feel forced and I really enjoyed the pacing. If there had been slightly more of a focus on what was actually going on and less of the conversations in Period 8, this book would have ended up with a much higher rating from me. Even though it’s pretty easy to spot the initial bully the first time he’s introduced, there’s quite a few plot twists that I didn’t see coming. The ending was left me reeling a little bit and I definitely had to read the last few pages again.
Unfortunately, this book does use one of my least favorite tropes– the informed character trait. We’re told Paulie is a good guy and great teenager by dialogue from other people before we ever get to see it. And while in this case the informed trait may actually be true, unlike some books, I still feel a little letdown whenever someone’s character is introduced to me through dialogue. It’s a minor thing in this book, but enough that I noticed it.
Ultimately, I did end up enjoying Period 8 more than I thought I would, but there are definitely some aspects of the book that didn’t quite do it for me.
Final Impression: There were two main story lines in Period 8, one of which I really disliked and one that I enjoyed immensely. As a result, I have a few mixed feelings on this book. There were a few things that annoyed me, such as the informed character trait and the forced teenage dialogue, but the twists towards the end were excellently done and this book definitely ended on a positive impression. 3/5 stars.
Review originally posted on my blog at Book. Blog. Bake.
There’s quite a few scenes that take place in Period 8, and they all felt overly dramatic to me. It was a lot like watching a high school soap opera, and these scenes were by far my least favorite part of the book. While I do appreciate the idea of the listening, caring teacher who actually gets his students and supports them both in and out of class, the way the book reads seems just a little. . . off. I think it might be because we never really see the build-up to Period 8, instead there’s just a mess of characters all talking to each other about things that don’t seem like would normally be discussed so easily. Also, there’s a strong attempt to create a realistic teenage dialogue in this book, and while I think Chris Crutcher gets it better than most, it still feels a little stilted.
That’s story line A. Then, we have story line B, which is where the psychopathic bully comes in. I enjoyed this story line much more, because while it may not have been exactly realistic, the action didn’t feel forced and I really enjoyed the pacing. If there had been slightly more of a focus on what was actually going on and less of the conversations in Period 8, this book would have ended up with a much higher rating from me. Even though it’s pretty easy to spot the initial bully the first time he’s introduced, there’s quite a few plot twists that I didn’t see coming. The ending was left me reeling a little bit and I definitely had to read the last few pages again.
Unfortunately, this book does use one of my least favorite tropes– the informed character trait. We’re told Paulie is a good guy and great teenager by dialogue from other people before we ever get to see it. And while in this case the informed trait may actually be true, unlike some books, I still feel a little letdown whenever someone’s character is introduced to me through dialogue. It’s a minor thing in this book, but enough that I noticed it.
Ultimately, I did end up enjoying Period 8 more than I thought I would, but there are definitely some aspects of the book that didn’t quite do it for me.
Final Impression: There were two main story lines in Period 8, one of which I really disliked and one that I enjoyed immensely. As a result, I have a few mixed feelings on this book. There were a few things that annoyed me, such as the informed character trait and the forced teenage dialogue, but the twists towards the end were excellently done and this book definitely ended on a positive impression. 3/5 stars.
Review originally posted on my blog at Book. Blog. Bake.
February 27, 2017
At first I was worried this book might be too mature for my classroom, but it stays away from being explicit. The action is good, once it gets moving, and I enjoyed seeing a teacher portrayed as a positive adult and helper rather than a problem. Everyday he has lunch, period 8, in his classroom with a group of students. The main character, Paulie, the Bomb, is a senior in high school. He just cheated on his girlfriend and told her so she broke up with him. And then, if things weren't bad enough a girl disappears. "Virgin Mary" Mary Wells is also a senior and has been a part of their lunch group, period 8, for years. But does anyone really know her?
Read
March 6, 2013Classic Crutcher yet totally different. I know that doesn't really make sense.
Added 3/6
Chris freaking Crutcher. Obviously I requested the heck outta this one. And I am so glad that I did. Period 8 is a delightful blend of classic Crutcher characters with a new twist.
As a long time Crutcher fan I really enjoyed getting to see something a little different from him. I adore all of the authors previous titles but it was fun to see the "thriller" aspect added in. While reading I kept second guessing what I thought was going on. I had all sorts of ideas about who was in to what but I didn't feel like I knew for sure. That really kept me on the edge of my seat.
As much as I enjoyed the thrills of Period 8 it was the characters that grabbed my attention and wouldn't let go. No one does authentic teen characters like Chris Crutcher. The highs, the lows, the confusion of being a teen. We see it all. Paulie is a guy you want to know. He's not perfect but he's aware of his imperfections and acknowledges them with humor and aplomb. And Mr. Logsdon. I wish every school had at least one teacher like him. I actually found myself identifying with him more than with the teen characters (which is a first for me in a Crutcher novel... even though I'm so far removed from my teen years!)
I had extremely high expectations for Period 8. Chris Crutcher met and exceeded them all. I soaked up the humor and authenticity I've come to expect from him and loved the edge of mystery and suspense that was added in. Chris Crutcher, y'all. Chris freaking Crutcher.
NOTE:
Chris Crutcher is one of my all time favorite authors ever, but I never would have picked up his books without some prodding. I thought they were all "sports books" and that I didn't like that kind of thing. Turns out I was wrong on both accounts. I actually like "sports books" and, even if I didn't, Chris Crutcher's books are about so much more than sports. His years of work as both a child and family therapist and as an educator show through. Crutcher tackels some of the most heartbreaking situations that teens face. His approach is authentic and relatable. He doesn't skirt around issues, but addresses them head on. This has lead to many challenges against his books for a variety of reasons. These challenges are why I picked his books up for the first time. Anyone who has that many books on banned and challenged lists and is still publishing must be doing something right. Check out his website here. As much as I loved Period 8 I don't really recommend it if you're trying to get a feel for a "classic Crutcher" book. Start with Whale Talk or Deadline. Honestly though, you can't go wrong. Just pick up one of his books!
Added 3/6
Chris freaking Crutcher. Obviously I requested the heck outta this one. And I am so glad that I did. Period 8 is a delightful blend of classic Crutcher characters with a new twist.
As a long time Crutcher fan I really enjoyed getting to see something a little different from him. I adore all of the authors previous titles but it was fun to see the "thriller" aspect added in. While reading I kept second guessing what I thought was going on. I had all sorts of ideas about who was in to what but I didn't feel like I knew for sure. That really kept me on the edge of my seat.
As much as I enjoyed the thrills of Period 8 it was the characters that grabbed my attention and wouldn't let go. No one does authentic teen characters like Chris Crutcher. The highs, the lows, the confusion of being a teen. We see it all. Paulie is a guy you want to know. He's not perfect but he's aware of his imperfections and acknowledges them with humor and aplomb. And Mr. Logsdon. I wish every school had at least one teacher like him. I actually found myself identifying with him more than with the teen characters (which is a first for me in a Crutcher novel... even though I'm so far removed from my teen years!)
I had extremely high expectations for Period 8. Chris Crutcher met and exceeded them all. I soaked up the humor and authenticity I've come to expect from him and loved the edge of mystery and suspense that was added in. Chris Crutcher, y'all. Chris freaking Crutcher.
NOTE:
Chris Crutcher is one of my all time favorite authors ever, but I never would have picked up his books without some prodding. I thought they were all "sports books" and that I didn't like that kind of thing. Turns out I was wrong on both accounts. I actually like "sports books" and, even if I didn't, Chris Crutcher's books are about so much more than sports. His years of work as both a child and family therapist and as an educator show through. Crutcher tackels some of the most heartbreaking situations that teens face. His approach is authentic and relatable. He doesn't skirt around issues, but addresses them head on. This has lead to many challenges against his books for a variety of reasons. These challenges are why I picked his books up for the first time. Anyone who has that many books on banned and challenged lists and is still publishing must be doing something right. Check out his website here. As much as I loved Period 8 I don't really recommend it if you're trying to get a feel for a "classic Crutcher" book. Start with Whale Talk or Deadline. Honestly though, you can't go wrong. Just pick up one of his books!
September 7, 2016
*Chris Crutcher can write. Wow!
Full review at: http://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=2620
Now, this is not a "normal" Chris Crutcher book, but like all of his books, it is raw, true, and sports plays a role of some sort. And this one is SO full of suspense for the last 25%. It is a hold your breath, read as quickly as you can kind of book there at the end. (I do wish that this suspense had been spread out to 50% of the book. This would have helped the pacing a bit and I think it would have given Crutcher more time to give information into the crime. Although the quick pacing at the end adds to the suspense, I think spreading it out a bit would have kept the suspense and given more time to delve further into the bad guys and the mystery.)
I, personally, really loved how he chose to tell the story in 3rd person. Although it doesn't give as much insight into one character, it gives you a little bit of insight into each one, and as you are trying to figure out what is going one, it is really fun to hear from all the different characters. (Some readers and reviewers have stated that having the multiple 3rd person point of views made it so the reader didn't really know anyone, but I think it actually helped me get to know everyone a little bit. It also allows for the reader to get snippets of not just the mystery but of the characters allowing you to build the complete character in your head.)
Another brilliant think Crutcher did was include foreshadowing scenes right at the beginning of the novel that did not make sense until the end and then I had to go back and read it. Well done!
Also, if you ever need a mentor text on complex sentence structure or descriptive language--Crutcher is for you!
Mostly, though, this book will find its home in teens' hands. It will be as loved as other Crutcher books.
We flagged: "He hits the water, involuntarily sucking air as the cold leaks in. The colder the better. He deserves this. Even so, he pees in self-defense, his only means to counter the ice-watery fingers creeping around his ribcage and into his crotch. He swims away from shore for about a hundred yards as his body heat warms the water inside the suit. He turns parallel to the shore and strokes, finding a candence he can hold over the next two hours. He knows how to play games to allay the monotony; fifty stroke hard, fifty strokes easy; a hundred strokes hard, fifty easy; a hundred-fifty hard, fifty easy, and on and on. An hour up and an hour back. He has taught himself to breathe on either side in order to keep the shore in sight and swim a relatively straight line. On this morning, working on zero sleep, he holds an even pace; no intervals. Just his sweet Hannah wedged in his frontal lobe. His gone Hannah." (p. 3-4)
Full review at: http://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=2620
Now, this is not a "normal" Chris Crutcher book, but like all of his books, it is raw, true, and sports plays a role of some sort. And this one is SO full of suspense for the last 25%. It is a hold your breath, read as quickly as you can kind of book there at the end. (I do wish that this suspense had been spread out to 50% of the book. This would have helped the pacing a bit and I think it would have given Crutcher more time to give information into the crime. Although the quick pacing at the end adds to the suspense, I think spreading it out a bit would have kept the suspense and given more time to delve further into the bad guys and the mystery.)
I, personally, really loved how he chose to tell the story in 3rd person. Although it doesn't give as much insight into one character, it gives you a little bit of insight into each one, and as you are trying to figure out what is going one, it is really fun to hear from all the different characters. (Some readers and reviewers have stated that having the multiple 3rd person point of views made it so the reader didn't really know anyone, but I think it actually helped me get to know everyone a little bit. It also allows for the reader to get snippets of not just the mystery but of the characters allowing you to build the complete character in your head.)
Another brilliant think Crutcher did was include foreshadowing scenes right at the beginning of the novel that did not make sense until the end and then I had to go back and read it. Well done!
Also, if you ever need a mentor text on complex sentence structure or descriptive language--Crutcher is for you!
Mostly, though, this book will find its home in teens' hands. It will be as loved as other Crutcher books.
We flagged: "He hits the water, involuntarily sucking air as the cold leaks in. The colder the better. He deserves this. Even so, he pees in self-defense, his only means to counter the ice-watery fingers creeping around his ribcage and into his crotch. He swims away from shore for about a hundred yards as his body heat warms the water inside the suit. He turns parallel to the shore and strokes, finding a candence he can hold over the next two hours. He knows how to play games to allay the monotony; fifty stroke hard, fifty strokes easy; a hundred strokes hard, fifty easy; a hundred-fifty hard, fifty easy, and on and on. An hour up and an hour back. He has taught himself to breathe on either side in order to keep the shore in sight and swim a relatively straight line. On this morning, working on zero sleep, he holds an even pace; no intervals. Just his sweet Hannah wedged in his frontal lobe. His gone Hannah." (p. 3-4)
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May 18, 2016Period 8 by Chris Crutcher is a realistic-fiction story about a highschool boy named Paulie Baum who lives in Washington, was as truthful as anyone could be until he cheated on his girlfriend out of the blue with a girl who disappeared a few days later. Once she gets back, he is soon to realize that she is not normal and she is keeping a huge secret that nobody knows. Paulie’s life was normal until she showed up and after that he starts getting into dangerous situations like freezing to death in a lake or saving his period 8 teacher that he has a special bond with. All because of one regretful mistake that he made, he has been put in life or death situations. NOt only Paulie in life or death situations but his family and friends also. Paulie struggling through all these conflicts make his life ten times harder than it was before because of his parents relationship. In a way, I can connect to this because when I was younger, I made a mistake that caused my sister to not trust me the way she used to. I accidentally left her blankie at my cousin's house in Lake Geneva and she probably wouldn’t have gotten it back for a while since we don’t see them that often. This event led to problems in our relationship and our family was getting mad because we were arguing constantly over it, just like the cheating incident did to Hannah and Paulie’s and how it sparked a huge problem with everyone around them that led to real danger. I personally think that what Paulie did was wrong and he shouldn’t have done it because that started a huge problem not only in their relationship, but to everyone around them. His period 8 teacher got in big trouble, Hannah was in danger and all of his friends were too. Chris Crutcher wrote in third person point of view. I personally didn’t enjoy that because at times it got confusing for me, but otherwise the book was great. The fact that it was written in third person is a con for this book, and a pro would be that it never gets boring. It always keeps you on the edge of your seat. But also at times it can be real and deep. It can relate to a high school teenager, which I enjoyed a lot. I would recommend this book to high school students because of the fact that there are times where it is very relatable. Also, if anyone were to enjoy exciting books, I would definitely recommend this one. It has a common theme of surprise and danger which is why someone who enjoys excitement would enjoy this book.
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