![Cover image for Period 8 [electronic resource] :](https://images.yourcloudlibrary.com/delivery/img?type=DOCUMENTIMAGE&documentID=ac3bfg9&token=nobody "Cover image for Period 8 [electronic resource] :")
Summary
Summary
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.
Reviews (5)
School Library Journal Review
Gr 7 Up-Bruce Logsdon's Period 8 session, held during the regular lunch period, is a place for Heller High School students to talk about their concerns and feelings. Logsdon, or Mr. Logs as he is called by his students, is gifted at getting teens to unburden themselves and speak honestly. Chief among his admirers is Paulie Bomb, whose unbridled honesty has cost him his relationship with his girlfriend, Hannah. When quiet, unassuming Mary Wells (called the "Virgin Mary" by other students due to her outwardly prudish behavior) goes missing, Period 8 must grapple with the fact that their safe space has been compromised. Issues centered on trust, forgiveness, extreme bullying, disturbing parenting, and reputations are prevalent throughout the story. Crutcher captures teen speak in a natural and realistic manner. Although the narrative begins at a deliberate pace, the drama over Mary's disappearance and incidents in the final quarter of the story ratchet up the intensity. Some sexuality and rough language are present, but it is never gratuitous or excessive. Mr. Logs is a positive portrayal of an involved teacher; he is dedicated to his students and genuinely concerned about them. However, his personal contacts with several students outside of school might, in real life, cause some concern among hypervigilant administrators and parents. Crutcher keeps readers guessing as to who is behind Mary's disappearance, and the portrayal of the psychopath is truly chilling. A must-have where the author's novels or psychological thrillers are popular.-Jennifer Schultz, Fauquier County Public Library, Warrenton, VA (c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
The coolest teacher at Heller High is "Logs," as the students call him, who hosts an extended therapy session in his classroom during lunch, the "Period 8" of the title. Even in Crutcher's normally sure hands, this premise doesn't work, largely because the action of the story isn't remotely believable. Basically, a psychopath is roping the school's prettiest girls (including one nicknamed the Virgin Mary) into a sex ring. Logs and his mentee, 17-year-old distance swimmer Paulie Baum, slowly unravel what's going on, leading to a high-octane finish that will keep readers furiously flipping the pages to uncover who the good guys really are. But subplots about Paulie's parents' marital woes and Paulie's struggle to finish his senior essay on "adolescent decision-making," coupled with cartoonish villains and implausible details-when the Virgin Mary goes missing, police recruit the Period 8 crew to help them scour the woods for her body-may stop some readers from reaching the exciting conclusion. Ages 14-up. Agent: Darhansoff & Verrill Literary Agents. (Apr.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Horn Book Review
Even though Paulie knows he deserved to get dumped, he is frustrated when Arney, one of his close friends, tries to pursue Hannah. Things get more confusing when one of the girls from their lunch hangout group disappears and Arney appears connected. This is a well-paced thriller but also a melodrama in which many of the events are far-fetched. (c) Copyright 2013. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
Suspense, heartbreak, a healthy dose of athletics--this novel has everything that Crutcher's longtime fans have come to expect, and more. When distance swimmer Paul "Paulie Bomb" Baum confesses to his girlfriend that he's cheated on her, he turns to his mentor for advice. During lunch period, Mr. Logsdon--Logs--runs an open classroom where students can freely air their feelings and opinions. Paulie and Hannah's breakup takes a back seat to the disappearance of straight-A student and Period 8 regular Mary Wells, aka the Virgin Mary. Meanwhile, semi-nemesis Arney seems a lot more manipulative than Paulie would have expected from the student body president, especially when he worms his way into Hannah's good graces. With his signature straightforward storytelling, economy of language and credible teen voices, the author stretches into new territory here, exploring the emotional toll being coerced into sex against their wills takes on boys as well as girls. While at times plot elements seem disconnected against a backdrop of a wide array of characters and motivations, there's a lot here that will appeal to teens, including the way that Logs, nearing retirement, plays a little fast and loose with confidential information. Fast-paced intrigue keeps the reader hanging on as Paulie pieces together clues to the discomfiting truth behind the strange, shadowy behavior of people he trusted. (Fiction. 14 up)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
Welcome to Period 8 lunch with Mr. Logs, where any topic is fair game, everyone can come, and the only rule is that nobody gets hurt. Here, truth is encouraged, but it has surprising effects. Paul finds that after he is honest, the girl he loves hates his guts. Student body president Arnie Stack uses his idea of truth to get elected, and the Virgin Mary, Mary Wells, only tells one side of her truth. When Mary goes missing, Mr. Logs and his Period 8 students set out to find her and plunge into danger that goes far beyond the classroom and challenges what they thought they knew. This is vintage Crutcher, with authentic dialogue, a school setting, lots of sports, and sympathetic characters that feel as if they had walked out of another Crutcher novel. This time, the suspense and action are ratcheted way up, though, and the result is a nail-biter with well-planted hints that lead up to a surprising, satisfying resolution. This book may win new fans, so be prepared to bring out the Crutcher canon.--Rutan, Lynn Copyright 2010 Booklist
