Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes
Crutcher, C. (1993). Staying
fat for Sarah Byrnes. New York: HarperCollins.
Staying Fat for Sarah
Byrnes tells the story of two teens who are in their final year of high
school. Eric (also known a Moby) and Sarah Byrnes have been friends since Jr.
High. She has a severely scarred face and Eric is significantly overweight.
Together the two form a bond as outcasts in the social hierarchy of Jr. High.
Once they enter high school, Eric joins the swim team and starts to lose
weight. He actually tries to keep the weight on because he still wants to be
friends with Sarah Byrnes. By their Senior year, they are still friends but
Moby is even more involved in swim. As Sarah Byrnes’ home life spirals out of
control, she ends up at a mental hospital. Moby visits her and tells her all
that is happening the Contemporary American Thought (CAT) class and slowly
develops a plan to save Sarah Byrnes. With the help of his CAT teacher and his
mother’s boyfriend, Sarah Byrnes is rescued and is able to find happiness.
Staying Fat for Sarah
Byrnes contemporary realistic fiction novel told from Eric’s sometimes humorous
and always honest point of view detailing the issues and problems faced teenagers
in this coming of age story. This story covers a variety of topics including
child abuse, abortion, suicide/attempted suicide and religion all in a way that
teens would relate to and understand. The topics are debated and wrestled with,
not necessarily solved. The issues of family dynamics are also examined as
Eric’s understanding and supportive mom is dating and Sarah Byrnes’ dad is
escalating his abusive behavior. There is an underlying theme that unsuspected
heroes are everywhere and you never know when you will find one.
Awards:
ALA Best Book for Young Adults (1994)
SLJ Best Book (1993)
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