Ferris, Jean . Eight Seconds. New York: Harcourt, 2000. Print.
Annotation:
Eighteen- year- old John learns more about himself than he ever expected at a five day rodeo camp. During this summer he stays aboard a raging bull for 'eight seconds' and learns important lessons about his sexual identity, friendship and the complexity of becoming an adult!
Justification for Nomination:
John Ritchie is excited about summer!-He will be going to a five day rodeo camp to learn how to ride the bulls! His best friend, Bobby, will be there too, and better yet John is looking forward to escape his farm chores, sisters and routine of everyday life. He has also just broken up with his girlfriend and thinks camp will be a great way to escape the pressures of home and relationships.
As John arrives at rodeo camp, he is introduced to the biggest bulls he has ever seen! Along with his new roommate Kit Crowe, John will spend the week trying to stay on the bull for at least ‘eight seconds’. John admires the natural talent, skills and charm Kit seems to possess and enjoys their conversations after long days of bull riding. They make plans to get together when camp is finished.
Upon returning home from camp, John learns, through the grapevine, that Kit is gay. This revelation creates great emotional turmoil for John, who must now ask himself a myriad of questions. Should he remain friends with Kit? What will others say about him if he continues to be Kit's friend? and is he himself gay?
Jean Ferris presents the issue of homosexuality in a very gradual and innocent way. The reader follows along as John explores his own sexuality in the face of his friend's open and honest confession to being gay. The main character struggles to understand himself and acknowledges childhood feelings of 'being different'. The novel also illustrates the more negative reactions of John's friends upon hearing the news that Kit is gay. These reactions contribute to creating quite a complex plot.
I recommend Eight Seconds to teen readers because it so much more than a 'rodeo story'. It is about an adolescent coming to terms with his sexuality, understanding the true definition of friendship and taking great strides in self exploration. In regards to homosexuality, Ferris focuses more on the journey of self discovery, than on what it means to be a homosexual person.
Furthermore, I thought Jean Ferris created a fitting conclusion to this story. She does not 'sugar coat' the ending, but leaves her main character in a perfect spot; a new phase of life with a fresh perspective! This book is much like what you hope to experience from a winning bull ride -absorb the ups and downs of life and land on your feet when time is up!
Genre Category: Sport/ Coming of Age/ Realistic/Problem
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