Period 8

by Chris Crutcher

Crutcher, C. (2013). Period 8.  New York, NY: Greenwillow Books.

Period 8, taught by Mr. Logson AKA “Logs,” is a class where the students can discuss anything they want honestly and openly and trust that everything they say stays in the class.  When high school swimmer Paulie cheats on his girlfriend resulting in a break up, it doesn’t take long for the details to come out in Period 8.  Paulie’s dad is a habitual cheater, and his mother is constantly kicking him out of the house and taking him back.  Paulie can’t stand it and doesn’t want to be anything like his father, yet it seems as if he might be heading down that same path.  When the girl that Paulie cheated with, Mary Wells AKA “The Virgin Mary,” disappears things begin to get really strange.  Mary’s dad is super strict and everyone in town is scared of him.  Everyone that is, except student body president Arney Stacks.  Paulie senses something is off about Arney; while he preaches that everyone should get along and support each other, he sure seems to have a habit of trash talking and lying behind people’s backs.  As Paulie and Logs aim to get to the bottom of the situation, they come to the realization that good boy Arney is at the center of it all, running a drug/sex ring along with several men from town and a corrupt cop.  And while Paulie and his teacher are determined to expose these criminals, Arnie and his crew are just as determined to see to it that their secrets stay that way.  Just as in life, readers will discover that people are not always as they seem.  This book is a suspenseful and emotional read, sure to be enjoyed by high schoolers who enjoy a good mystery.

Chris Crutcher discusses Period 8