Period 8

In this terrifying and provocative YA psychological thriller 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?

In this teen suspense novel, 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 for students navigating complex moral choices. 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.

But as the search for the missing girl intensifies, Paulie realizes the biggest threat isn’t a kidnapper—it’s one of his own classmates. Who can you trust when the ultimate liar is sitting in your circle?

• A High School Mystery: When a popular girl vanishes without a trace, the search for answers reveals that Heller High is hiding more than just homework and hallway crushes.
• Truth and Lies: Paulie Baum is known for telling the truth, but a single lie has cost him his girlfriend, Hannah. Now, he has to navigate a conspiracy where telling the truth could be the most dangerous move of all.
• Bullying and Peer Pressure: The student body president seems to have everyone’s best interests at heart, but beneath the surface, a master manipulator is pulling the strings and turning friends against each other.
• A Character-Driven Thriller: Step into Period 8, a student-led discussion group where secrets are supposed to be safe, only to discover that the greatest danger is sitting in the room.