Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes

Crutcher, C. (1993) Staying fat for Sarah Byrnes. NY: HarperCollins.

I started this book with one of my classes and they were captivated. The story of Eric Calhoun and Sarah Byrnes is that of true friendship that evolves but the strong bond they formed is unbreakable. Eric was an unpopular fat kid through junior high. His only friend was Sarah Byrnes who was badly burned as a child and still bore the scars for all to see. Once in high school, Eric joins the swim team and turns out to be very a very talented swimmer. Sarah feels abandoned by Eric even though he works hard to include her in his new slimmer and more popular life. Senior year, Sarah Byrnes stops talking or responding to anyone and is sent to the mental ward of the local hospital. Eric visits regularly, trying to find out what is going on with his friend and how to help her. How to save her. It is a touching story of loyalty, friendship, and trust. Although there are dramatic and sad moments it ends happily for Eric and Sarah.

You May Also Like: I am the Cheese by Robert Cormier or Whale Talk by Chris Crutcher 

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