Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes by Chris Crutcher [book]

Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes by Chris Crutcher [book]

New York, N.Y. : Greenwillow Books, 1993
216 p. ; 24 cm
ISBN: 0688115527

Plot Summary:
Eric Calhoune was overweight and Sarah Byrnes was burned severely at a younger age. They became best friends early on because they were outsiders in high school, starting an underground publication and hiding behind they words. When Sarah Byrnes was admitted to a mental hospital because she dives into a catatonic state, Eric stays by her side attempting to bring her back through memories and stories. The basis of the title of the story revolves around the fact that Eric joined the swim team and lost weight, but continued to eat more so that he could "stay fat for Sarah Byrnes".
In the process of him trying to help Sarah he finds out about her father's mental illness and the fact that Sarah's scars may not have been accidental. Sarah eventually starts to speak and confide in Eric that she is terrified of her father and what he will do- Eric in turn tells an adult that he trusts and they try to help her. During this time Eric has heavy discussions with classmates about controversial topics. The book culminates in looking to find Sarah's mother, Eric being inured by her father, and her father eventually being caught.

Critical Evaluation:
This book contains themes of friendship, free speech, and doing what is right. This book is very heavy and honest in the way that it relates to teen subjects of controversy. I found it to be very sad, but eye opening to the people that want answers or advice about the same topics. The book skips from diverse conversations about in depth topics to action scenes back to heart warming friendship. The language in the book is understandable

Reader's Annotation:
Sarah Byrnes is in a catatonic state. Her best friend Eric wants to help her come back by retelling stories and waiting her to speak to him; when she does he realizes that she wasn't speaking for a reason and now he has to help her.

Websites to Look Into:
http://www.chriscrutcher.com/

The Author:
Crutcher is one of the most frequently banned authors in America, and he was a family therapist who specialized in abuse and neglect for 25 years, as well as a Child Protection Team leader for 30 years.

Awards:
California Young Reader Medal, 1997: Young Adult
Joan Fassler Memorial Book Award for Best Medical, 1995:  Related Children's Book
ALA, 1995:  Best Book for Young Adults
South Dakota Library Association Young Adult Reading Program (YARP), 1995: Best Books
School Library Journal, 1996: Best Book

Similar Books:
"Whale Talk" by Chris Crutcher
"Iron Man" by Chris Crutcher

Booktalking Ideas:
At risk teens can use a book to relate to
A bookmark for teens that shows books that have real discussions about controversial topics

Genre:
Realistic Fiction

Interest Age:
13+

Challenge Issues:
Violence & Controversial teen subject matter
The bullying issues and the violence that Sarah endures is strong content but necessary for teens to know that they can speak their mind and overcome these challenges in life. The other issues that are discussed in the book are necessary to talk about because they affect teens lives and reading this book can show them that they are not alone.

Why this Book?
It deals with very real topics for teens such as being uncomfortable with the way that you look, being an outsider, abortion, and bullying. I think that they are important to discuss honestly and the book does well to bring them to light and debate about them.