Period. 8 (276 Pages)

I will always buy anything written by Chris Crutcher. I have never read anything he has written that I didn't love. Huythanh, if you are reading this blog, this is a book you and Robert would adore! Chris Crutcher is a a family therapist and a child protection specialist as is stated in the back jacket of this book. He knows kids. He know adolescents, and his writing rings true. All of his novels involve some sort of sport- sometimes more than one sport at  time! In this story Paulie Baum is a high school senior and a swimmer.  He is one of group of 8-10 kids who participate in Period 8, with science and government teacher Bruce Logsdon. During period 8 (which is when kids eat their lunch) the kids are there voluntarily and they are allowed to discuss anything they want to discuss. The only rule is that nothing is allowed to leave the room. It is a "safe place." Only it isn't, and it's not because  of Paulie or "Logs" or Paulie's girl friend, Hannah! I could not put this book down. It's a fast read, it's terribly exciting, and boys will love it (girls too ;-) )