Period 8

March 5, 2013 Uncategorized 0

Period 8

Author: Chris Crutcher
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Publication Date: March 26, 2013
Pages: 288
Source: requested from publisher via Edelweiss

About the Book: 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.

My Thought: 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!

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