Crutcher, Chris. (March, 2003). Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes. New York: Greenwillow Books. ISBN: 0060094893
Plot Summary
Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes is an emotional story about love and friendship and the heartache and healing that accompanies it. Eric "Moby" Calhoune is fat and his best friend Sarah Byrnes is permanently disfigured. Their friendship is tested when Eric loses weight after joining the school's swim team and Sarah stops talking and is admitted to a mental ward in the local hospital.
This book touches on all subjects of teenage angst, sex, abortion, drugs, abuse and readers are shown the true meaning of friendship.
Critical Evaluation
Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes is one of my favorite books because it shows readers how crucial good friends are and the power true friendship has on healing oneself. When we find out that Eric Calhoune actually tries to stay fat in order to stay friends with Sarah Byrnes, I could feel the love that he has for her.
Readers Annotation
How far would you go to save your best friend?
Authors Information
Chris Crutcher was born on July 17, 1946 in Dayton, Ohio and he grew up in Cascade, Idaho. Chris graduated from Eastern Washington State College and earned a B.A in psychology and sociology. After graduation, he taught elementary and secondary school and also taught "at-risk" K-12 students for almost ten years.
Chris Crutcher started writing and published his first novel, Running Loose, in 1983 and has continued with twelve other novels, an autobiography, and six short stories. His writing is extremely controversial and many have been challenged throughout the years. Chris is a major fighter against censorship and his works have received numerous awards.
Genre
Realistic Fiction
Curriculum Ties
n/a
Booktalking Ideas
- Would you harm yourself to keep your best friend?
- Why didn't Sarah just go to the police? Why do abused people usually stay quiet about the abuse?
- Do you think the Contemporary American Thought Class is appropriate for high school?
- What are your thoughts on vigilante justice?
Challenge Issues
In 2005, a school in Westmoreland, New York School District denied a parent their request to remove this book from the schools curriculum. In 1995, a school in the Smithville Public School District approved a parents request to have this book removed from the 9th grade curriculum. In 2006, the motion was reversed.
Libraries should have their Collection Policy Manual handy when challenged arise. This book has won 6 national awards.
Reason for Selection
In my 267-10 course, my group presented on Chris Crutcher and his works and this book was my favorite.
This book touches on all subjects of teenage angst, sex, abortion, drugs, abuse and readers are shown the true meaning of friendship.
Critical Evaluation
Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes is one of my favorite books because it shows readers how crucial good friends are and the power true friendship has on healing oneself. When we find out that Eric Calhoune actually tries to stay fat in order to stay friends with Sarah Byrnes, I could feel the love that he has for her.
Readers Annotation
How far would you go to save your best friend?
Authors Information
Chris Crutcher was born on July 17, 1946 in Dayton, Ohio and he grew up in Cascade, Idaho. Chris graduated from Eastern Washington State College and earned a B.A in psychology and sociology. After graduation, he taught elementary and secondary school and also taught "at-risk" K-12 students for almost ten years.
Chris Crutcher started writing and published his first novel, Running Loose, in 1983 and has continued with twelve other novels, an autobiography, and six short stories. His writing is extremely controversial and many have been challenged throughout the years. Chris is a major fighter against censorship and his works have received numerous awards.
Genre
Realistic Fiction
Curriculum Ties
n/a
Booktalking Ideas
- Would you harm yourself to keep your best friend?
- Why didn't Sarah just go to the police? Why do abused people usually stay quiet about the abuse?
- Do you think the Contemporary American Thought Class is appropriate for high school?
- What are your thoughts on vigilante justice?
Challenge Issues
In 2005, a school in Westmoreland, New York School District denied a parent their request to remove this book from the schools curriculum. In 1995, a school in the Smithville Public School District approved a parents request to have this book removed from the 9th grade curriculum. In 2006, the motion was reversed.
Libraries should have their Collection Policy Manual handy when challenged arise. This book has won 6 national awards.
Reason for Selection
In my 267-10 course, my group presented on Chris Crutcher and his works and this book was my favorite.
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