Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes

by Chris Crutcher

Sarah Byrnes and Eric Calhoune have been friends for years. When they were children, his weight and her scars made them both outcasts. Now Sarah Byrnes—the smartest, toughest person Eric has ever known—sits silent in a hospital. Eric must uncover the terrible secret she’s hiding before its dark current pulls them both under. Will appeal to fans of Marieke Nijkamp, Andrew Smith, and John Corey Whaley.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Sports, Teen, Contemporary, Friendship

304 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1993

About the author

Chris Crutcher's writing is controversial, and has been frequently challenged and even banned by individuals who want to censor his books by removing them from libraries and classrooms. Running Loose and Athletic Shorts were on the ALA's top 100 list of most frequently challenged books for 1990-2000. His books generally feature teens coping with serious problems, including abusive parents, racial and religious prejudice, mental and physical disability, and poverty; these themes are viewed as too mature for children. Other cited reasons for censorship include strong language and depictions of homosexuality. Despite this controversy, Crutcher's writing has received many awards.

Reviews

[laurel [the suspected bibliophile] · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trigger Warning: fatphobia, binge eating, child abuse, suicide

Eric is fat. Well, he's not as fat as he used to be and he's not as fat as he'd like to be—not with his best friend, Sarah Byrnes, in the hospital and not talking to anyone. As school and swimming and local bigots take up more of his time, Eric is drawn to the mystery of Sarah Byrnes. Why isn't she talking? What happened? How can he help?

Whew.

This book swings a fucking sledge hammer towards people of that kind of Christianity. You know the ones. Those who preach rigidity and a hard line, but there seems to be a sliding scale when it comes to their own actions? The ones who rail against abortion and taking lives, but don't seem to give a damn after the baby is born? The hypocritical people who refuse to believe that there is another way of thinking or rightness beyond their own...despite billions of people in the world not sharing their particular faith.

But this, surprisingly enough, is only a subplot in this fascinating and surprisingly heavy book that's at once YA problem novel and mystery-thriller.

There are themes of bullying—in all its various levels and impacts—of justice, of shame, of anger, of apology and moving on, and most of all—of becoming a person who sees other people as people. And of standing up for people less advantaged than yourself.

While there are some things that don't hold up in 2019 (like Eric's body image, the general misogyny, the depictions of mental health/illness), there were a lot of things that were startlingly relevant. Such as the discussion of the separation of church and state and the role of religion in the classroom, bigotry, justice vs vigilantism, speaking up or staying silent (and when to know when you're over your head and need an adult), responsibility for other people's actions, and women's rights.

[Echo · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes when I was taking a young adult literature class in college. I'd just finished reading Chinese Handcuffs, also by Crutcher, and even though I'm not interested in sports at all, I really enjoyed it. Feeling in the mood for some more angst, but wary of the emphasis on sports in a lot of his books, I decided swimming would be an interesting sport to read about and picked up Staying Fat. It wasn't bad. In fact, it was very similar to other books of Crutcher's I've read in that it deals with sports and angst.

However, it has a VERY clear agenda. If that didn't annoy me enough, Crutcher takes some big issues and, with the help of the one-dimensional Bad Guys and the sympathtic and in-depth Good Guys, turns them into black-and-white choices. The Good Guys are right and well-meaning. The Bad Guys are clearly ignorant jerks who, in the end, see the error of their ways. If you agree with the Good Guys and/or don't mind having an agenda shoved in your face, go for it. The book does have its merits if you can get past that.

Personally, I just walked away from the book feeling annoyed. I would recommend one of Crutcher's other books. They don't tell agendas. They tell the story of characters instead. If only he'd stuck to that for this book.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, so can you really read just the title of this book and not want to dive into the rest of it? I couldn't. This was one of our monthly Young Adult Reading Group (YARG) Readerville selections back in the day. It was also my first Chris Crutcher book and, really, what a way to start. I had no idea what his writing style would be like, how his characters would affect me, and I was floored by how deeply involved I became in their story. I can't remember exactly who suggested it, but I am so very glad they did because I immediately went out and bought it and have loved it ever since. It immediately earned a nice, cozy spot on my Beloved Bookshelf and the only thing I wish different about it is its cover, which is really not that bad, but which doesn't exactly scream "I am unbelievably awesome!" in the way that it should. If you haven't read a Crutcher book, and especially if you haven't read this one, I highly recommend doing so immediately. He's like the Judy Blume of books about teenage boys and sports and his books are almost always on the most recently challenged and/or banned lists every year. It's to do with the fact that he actually talks about things and brings up issues and serious problems in the lives of today's teens, including prejudice (racial and religious), abuse, depression, and poverty. His books are also screamingly funny and this one is no exception.

Eric Calhoune isn't like other high school seniors. Nicknamed "Moby," Eric used to be obese. Ostracized by his peers in junior high, he formed an alliance with a girl named Sarah Byrnes, who was also an outsider on account of the quantity of disfiguring scars all over her face and hands--the result of a terrible accident when she was little. Together Eric and Sarah Byrnes got each other through the nightmare that is junior high. But when Eric hit high school he started swimming. He swam so long and so hard the fat started to melt right off his chubby body. He'll never be thin, but he's no longer the big, doughy butt of everyone's jokes. And though the outside changed, the nickname stuck. Everything that made up the real Eric stuck. And his friend Sarah Byrnes stuck. Even though her scars could never miraculously melt away. His kindness balanced her acerbity and cynicism and it seemed that everything would be all right. Then one day Sarah Byrnes stops speaking. Stops responding completely to anything. She just . . . stops. Right in the middle of class. They take her to the hospital and eventually admit her to the psych ward. Eric visits her every single day, talking to her, reminding her of their good times. But nothing seems to get through. And, though he thinks he might know why Sarah Byrnes finally checked out, Eric isn't at all sure what to do to get her back.

I love this book. I mean, I love this book. It represents the best in contemporary young adult literature and it does it with humor, gravity, and tension. It's impossible not to like Eric right away and the bond between him and Sarah Byrnes is touching in the extreme. My laughter and my empathy clambered on top of each other throughout the story, particularly as Eric surrounds himself with, as his swim coach often says, a cast of characters straight out of The Far Side. His buddy and fellow swim team member Ellerby is at the top of the list. And their lively, unexpectedly thoughtful discussions in their Contemporary American Thought class provide a wonderful venue for the teens to attempt to parse out the meaning behind the beliefs they've always held, right and wrong, the challenges they're facing now, and what could cause a young girl to up and walk away from the life she led. I didn't even surface while reading STAYING FAT FOR SARAH BYRNES. Not once. I loved Eric, the boy so loyal, so afraid of losing his best friend that he stayed fat an extra year for her. He ate even more than usual, even after getting a handle on his weight, just so she wouldn't be alone in her differentness. The questions that pepper the text captivated me. Why did Sarah Byrnes stop talking? What was she like before and what hasn't she told Eric? What will he do about her, about his crush on beautiful, sad Jody Mueller, about his mother's new boyfriend Carver, about using his intelligence and his compassion to help those around him? I'll close with a favorite early passage:

I stand in front of the huge double doors at the entrance to Sacred Heart Hospital and breathe deep, my frozen hair hugging my head like a bicycle helmet and my breath shooting from my mouth like exhaust from a truck. I wear only a light jacket; my internal heating system boils for hours after workout. Coach forever tells me to cover up when I go outside, but when I cover up I sweat like a walrus in a sauna. I threaten Coach with my laundry.

Sarah Byrnes is inside. Eighth floor. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Unit. I've put this off, thought she'd be out in a couple of days, but it's been a full week. Sarah Byrnes. Toughest kid I know, and she just slipped away.

I don't want to go inside. I was here once about four years ago when my third cousin got drunk and attempted suicide. Not much of an attempt, really. He OD's on Flintstones vitamins, but he was wigged out so bad they stuck him in for seventy-two-hour observation. What they observed was extremely yellow pee. I hated visiting him. The place itself was nice--thick carpeting and comfortable chairs, plenty of books to read and games to play. It felt safe in a strange way, not for me, but for the people in there. But they all had a look, as if something important had been peeled away. And you got the feeling it could happen to you.

Now Sarah Byrnes is here. My best friend. I stayed fat a whole year for her.

This one you won't want to close. This one is worth your time. It cuts close and it makes you think and I'd love to talk with more people who've read it.

[Shannon Upton · Rating 1 out of 5]

A Report for the Parents of Kids Who Might Have to Read This for School

I only read “Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes” because it’s on the optional reading list for my 14 year-old son this school year. True to form, from the first sentence, this book shouted, “You will have to write a paper about me!” The book even features a plot device wherein the characters take a high school class devoted to openly discussing hot button topics, ostensibly so that real kids can write papers about these characters’ views on hot button topics. Really?

I know this book is on the reading list for many high schools, so just in case this book is on your kid’s optional reading list, here’s my report for you:

What I liked: The character arc of the mother’s boyfriend. If my son had to write a paper on this, I’d encourage him to write on this guy and stay out of the religion/suicide/abortion debate debacle (unless he wanted to get in the fray and represent!).

What I was ambivalent about: How the author handled the disfiguring facial scars—and relationships—of title character Sarah Byrnes. (Although, here I will refer you straight to the far better “Wonder” by R. J. Palacio.)

What I disliked: Almost everything else. I could write many, many things here, but I’ll skip straight to the heart of the matter… although, first I need to mention that the author’s casual treatment of teen sex is abominable. The only person who seems the least concerned about it is a character who bandies about the word “fornication” (and is later revealed to be a hypocrite). Lovely.

Which brings me to the truly aggravating aspect of this book: the falsely dichotomous view of Christianity presented by the author. There are two religious camps presented in this book. The bad guys are “Christians” who think of God as a big judge in the sky with a rulebook and a gavel, sending everyone but them straight to Hell. The good guys are “Christians” who think of God as a hippy parent who had a good time creating us, but then drifted off to tend to His own concerns and left us to fend for ourselves. (The song “From a Distance” is actually used as theology here—be still my horrified heart.)

Nowhere within this book is the true, living God of the Bible presented. No scriptural truth is written in the midst of all of that “gripping” class debate, deep talk between friends, or private thought of the narrator. When Sarah Byrnes has her big moment near the end of the book, no character told her of His love.

How I wanted to step into that book, hold her scarred face in my hands, and tell her, “God sees you and His heart broke when this happened to you. He loves you enough to give you the choice about whether or not to love Him, which means everyone gets choices, and their choices are not always fair or right. But He was here, and he suffered too, and He understands you. He wants to be your family. Can I tell you more about Him?”

There was just nothing positive in this book. The things that were supposed to be redeeming fell flat (things like a teacher who was too cool for school, a liberal pastor who supposedly had the last word but just seemed to be doing the normal parent thing, and the unfriendly friendship between the two main characters).

My teen son could handle this book. He could write papers about all of the topics, and I would be proud of him… but he would be just as annoyed by it all as I am. I will not be recommending this book to him, nor will I recommend it to you.

[Abida's Book Adventures · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know why I held off writing a review for this review so long, but you know what they say: better late than never. This truly is a magnificent book. I would definitely recommend this to anyone. I laughed, cried a lot in this book.

Eric Calhoune (Moby) is the fat kid in his school and his best friend is Sarah Byrnes is the weird girl with burn scars. When Moby joins the swim team in his senior year, he starts to lose the unwanted weight and finally is starting to fit in. However, while Moby is losing the weight, he faces another problem. He believes that if he loses the weight then there won't be the bond that brought him and Sarah Brynes together in the first place. Thus, he is trying to stay fat in order to maintain their friendship that is falling apart because of Eric's weight loss... or so he understands.

The Characters
I LOVED EVERY SINGLE CHARACTER IN THIS BOOK!! Besides Virgil and Sarah's mother. Everyone has a key role this book, there was background information/ stories on almost all of the characters. Everyone came together to help Sarah Brynes out Even Moby archenemies Dale.

Moby and Sarah Byrnes friendship were amazing, there was no romance between them, just a genuine friendship. Moby was really concerned about Sarah Byrnes because he loves having her as a friend and not as a girlfriend. Moby was willing to stay overweight just so Sarah wouldn't feel insecure because he could lose his weight and be “normal” while she was stuck with her scars forever.

The addition of Ms. Lemry was great. It gave me hope that good people are still out there. I loved how she went on board to help Moby and Sarah Byrnes out. It's hard for teenagers to seek help from adults who will take them seriously.

Plot/ Ending
Besides, a little slang words and technology you really couldn't tell that this book was written over 20 years ago. There were multiple stories going on in this book, we get to learn about both when Moby and Sarah Byrnes first started their friendship, the Crispy Pork Rinds article that they've created and their high school years. Overall the book had a little of everything in it: mystery, comedy, and a little bit of action.

The ending of this was astounding. It was a happily ever after, that wasn't overdone, it was practical and real. Things worked out great forever one. The villains got their punishment and the good people got the second chance of a new beginning.

Final Thoughts
The only grievance I have with this book is that I wished there was a second book, just so we could see how Moby and Sarah grow up and process everything from their childhood. The author does a good job of making several young adult issues like obesity, domestic violence, and the importance of life relatable. There are plenty of books highschoolers are obligated to read that really don't teach them much about the real life, and I wish this was one of the books kids are able to read.

[Morgan F · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was just plain annoying. Chris Crutcher's agenda was so obvious and obnoxious, it made me mad. Only half the book was spent on the plot, the other half was spent bashing someone for their beliefs and making this one stereotypical character look like a real jerk. The plot and catchy title looked intriguing, but it was hidden too deep underneath the annoying characters. This wasn't the first time this happened with a Chris Crutcher novel. In his other book I read called The Sledding Hill, in which Crutcher also ignores the plot in order to push his own agenda. Had potential, but I was left disappointed.

[Carmen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book by Chris Crutcher, so of course, it deals with some heavy issues like child abuse, abortion and bullying. However, it a lighter and more 'fun' novel than Whale Talk. The protagonist, Eric, is a 'fat kid' who befriends a scarred girl at his school - Sarah Byrnes. Her hands and face are severely burned. They bond because they are both outcasts. However, Eric takes up swimming and slims down. After being friends for a long time, Sarah ends up in the Psychiatric Unit at the hospital - and no one knows why. She isn't speaking. The book is about Eric trying to uncover why she had this breakdown interspersed with memories of their friendship together. The characters are very strong and well-formed. I think the book is very well-written, and has some funny moments. Crutcher writes about young adults and their interactions with each other very realistically - it isn't dumbed down. This book is more enjoyable than Whale Talk because it is less gruesome, even though it still tackles the big issues. I thought this book was gripping and would recommend it to both high school students and adults.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel is a heart-wrenching, very real novel of two best friends that stayed close for so long due to their alienated qualities. Makes me think twice about how I treat people in all settings. Chris Crutcher is definitely worth while.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I believe I read this book while in high school, but picked it up at Borders again.

This Crutcher story focuses on Eric Calhoun, a high school student who was formerly "the fat kid," and his friend Sarah Byrnes. Sarah is a special person - Eric knows this immediately. To everyone else, though, she's the girl with the scars on her face - allegedly from pulling a pot of boiling water on herself at a young age.

When Eric joins the swim team and begins to slim down, he attempts to eat twice as much, just to stay fat for Sarah. Gradually, he changes his tactics and "stays fat" for her by standing up for her against his classmates.

But when Sarah lands herself in the psychiatric unit, unresponsive and completely mute, Eric knows that something is horribly wrong. After all, Sarah is the strongest person he knows. What could have possibly happened to Sarah that has rendered her silent in the hospital? Eric will go to drastic lengths to find out her secret, putting himself in utmost danger.

I really enjoyed this story, and the realistic feel it had to it. It doesn't have a "fairy tale ending," but shows that people will make the best out of the circumstances they are given.

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an unexpected plot. Eric is fat and Sarah Byrnes was burned as a child. Their lives seem to fit together as outcasts. But when Eric joins the swim team and starts losing weight Sarah fears he won't be friends with her anymore. Add some crazy Christian fundamentalists, and a discussion class that talks about all the hot topics, Sarah faking being crazy to get away from her asshole father and you have the makings of a great read!

[Lillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

❤️❤️

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I could write a one-word review of this book (obviously I've exceeded that already, but I'm making a point here). The problem is that if I drop this one word on you, you'll be like, "What?!" It's a racy word, and I think it might be okay to use it because it's not like I go throwing the sauce around on this blog all the time--I prefer to save this kind of talk for when I hang out with my sailor friends. Anyway, here's my one-word review:

FAN-_ _ _ _ _ _ _-TASTIC. Seriously. I know a lot of people say that using foul language is the hobgoblin of little minds (along with routine), and that if you can't say it more creatively than you're a loser, but the situation called for it. Read this one-word review, and tell me which is better: FANTASTIC. The middle part of the first review had an impact, didn't it?

Here's why this book is FAN-_ _ _ _ _ _ _-TASTIC:

1. The characters are amazing. Crutcher used to be a child therapist, and he's got this stuff nailed down tight. I loved it, it was gripping, moving, heart-wrenching, and beautifully drawn. Everybody--Eric, Sarah Byrnes, his parents, friends, foes, everyone--was fully developed.

2. The plot is hands-down dynamite. There's angst, there's sports, there's all kinds of lovey-dovey beauty. Strong friendships, lies, fears, everything you need for a good hard-boiled story.

3. The themes are tough to handle, but complex and thought-provoking. I work at a camp for abused and neglected kids every summer, and I don't think I'll ever be the same. This book is reach-down-into-your-chest-and-rip-your-heart-out writing. I actually gave my sister a summary of what the book was about, I only got through two sentences before she broke me off and said she couldn't handle any more, it was too much. I said, "You read books where the protagonist is a rape victim, but this is too much for you?" (This was in reference to some books by Charlaine Harris). My sister said crimes against adults, although awful, are nothing compared with crimes against children.

Tough to read, but totally worth it. I'm going to have to go out and get every last one of Crutcher's books. The guy is FAN-_ _ _ _ _ _ _-TASTIC.

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I heard Mr. Crutcher speak once I believe at ALA. He writes YA sports fiction but he was a family therapist and child protection specialist before he became a writer, and far too much of the horrible stuff in his books are things he heard from teens. He is fierce about the need to give young people tools to help them better their lives.

I've been going through my books hoping to find books I could discard. Not this one. I remembered the general outlines and it still had me on the edge of my seat ignoring everything else I need to do today. I'll be keeping this on my shelf and I hope I never ever have to hand it to a child who needs the wisdom in this book. Kids are likely more resilient and strong and aware than we think, or that we really want to know. However, they can be pushed to their limit just like adults, and often for similar reasons. However little reason they may have to trust adults, they need to find one adult they can trust and ask them for help. No matter how hopeless the situation, the right adult will keep at it till they find a way to help. Which reminds me: one loose end in this remarkable book was what happened to the teacher, Mrs. Lemry. She was left in big trouble with the vice principal, the sort of hypocritical bastard that has no business being near children. Since she was one of the heroes of the book, I hope she kept her job. I doubt the vice principal lost his but one can dream.

The comments on the characters in the last 5 sentences are about the unimportant characters. The important characters are Eric, usually known as Mobe as in Moby Dick, the whale. Because he was what we now would call obese. He is friends with Sarah Byrnes, which is pronounced burns, which is what she was. Her entire face had been burnt. What no one knows is the real way her face got burnt. What she has always said was that she pulled a pot of boiling spaghetti onto herself. What is the real story is what I'll leave you to find out.

If you are a teenager, you should read this and discover just how good your life is. Or else, read it to discover possible things to do if your life is a living nightmare. Perhaps not as bad as Sarah Byrnes, but perhaps like Mark Brittain. In his own way, he is as much to be pitied as Sarah Byrnes. And unfortunately the sort of people that made Mark are in power right now in our government. I hope they don't do lifetime damage the way they could have with Mark. All the characters in this book are well developed, right down to the weakest character in the book. Who somehow does not end up seeming despicable. Just hopelessly weak. I suppose the nightmare character in this book....calling him a baddie would be like calling Moby Dick a fishie...is somewhat one dimensional. But I have a gut feeling that a lot of what that character said and did came straight from court records. Or possibly are things Mr. Crutcher heard at his job.

Bottom line: I recommend this book to all counselors and all teens who have not told anyone they need help.

[Alex Shippey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summary

Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes is a book about extreme friendship and trust. When Sarah Byrnes, a horribly scarred girl ends up silent in Sacred heart Hospital, it's up to Eric Calhoune to figure out what's going on. Eric Calhoune has been friends with Sarah Byrnes for years, and has no idea why she has gone silent. But Sarah isn't the only thing Eric has to worry about, he has to stay up to date with his intense swimming, and school."Twenty-five yards. Anyone hear me say all out? No breaths. Come on, ladies and gentlemen, we're almost there." The whistle. Oxygen debt approaches bankruptcy. (Crutcher 5) Eric has one of the most harsh swimming coaches, who is also his English teacher, Ms. Lemry. She makes them do extreme With Sarh Byrnes in the hospital, Eric learns some frightening things about her past. Sarah reveals that her dad, Virgil Byrnes was the one to cause her horrible scars, not a pot of spaghetti.
After talking to an old friend, it is up to Eric and Lemry to fix Sarah Byrnes situation. When Virgil becomes more violent and out of hand, Eric must take control. "She's hearing every word, and I'd bet you know that, Calhoune. Tell you what, if I find out it's true, there'll be hell for you to pay, too. Won't always be this hospital to protect her. Or you, either. If you know something I should know, you best spill it." (Crutcher 172) Virgil speaking to Eric in this way, is one reason he should start taking action over the situation. Of course Eric can't tell him, so who can help him? Having Sarah Byrnes write in a notebook about why she is there after her dad becomes more nosey, Eric must tell Lemry. Lemry, who agrees to not to tell anyone, gets Sarah Byrnes to her apartment after she runs away from the hospital. With Sarah out of the hospital and Virgil on an angry rampage, threatening Calhoune to him where his daughter is, or he will kill him.
After Lemry and Sarah set out to find her mother, Virgil attacks Eric, wounding him, but not fatally. After getting out of the hospital, Eric learns that Sarah and Lemry found Sarah's mom, but she was not willing to help or stop Virgil from doing things, and she would simply kill herself. After a little time, Calhoune's step father had to go on a business trip, or so he said. The next time he was seen was on he news for assaulting a man named Virgil Byrnes. After being interviewed, it was found that Virgil attacked Carver while he was waiting to catch him, because the police could not. Carver turned out to be a war veteran, and felt it was partially his duty to make it so someone he knew was not lost. "I looked over at my Mom's tear-streaked face and took her hand. "Use my college money to get him a lawyer," I said. "He's got all the respect I have." Boy, aint it a trip where heroes come from. " (Crutcher 290) After the interview, all Carver wanted was that Eric would still have some respect for him, in which he responded to his mom with the quote above. Sarah is adopted by Lemry, and Virgil was sent to jail. While the pain is over, the memories will still be there for Sarah.

Author

I feel that the author had the right to write this book, I don't see why it would be inappropriate for Chris to write this book. Even if it has taboo subjects, I think it's actually a good book for anyone 5th grade and up. It discusses things that would be important to know, like how to deal with manipulative teachers, threats, family issues, and stressful situations with friends. Chris shows a level of reality to this book by putting in very emotional and controversial topics, like abortion. It portrays it as just a subject that does need to be discussed. It shows how people with different views can get very violent. In a way, you could even take the CAT class as an example of an international debate on some topic relating to war. Some people might have religious beliefs that dictate their way of life, whereas others might be neutral on a subject.

Review

Now the part that matters. I thought Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes was an exceptionally good book. As I was reading it I laughed at some parts, and some parts were super intense. I thought the structure of the book was a little confusing, with the flashbacks, and then Sarah not talking. I think that that was the only part of the book that was confusing. I really liked the way he described each character and how they all had their flaws. The book had a realistic feel to it also, because at least in my eyes, all of this could happen. It would be rare, but it could happen. I believe this book could also be quite uplifting if you have family troubles because it could get you motivated to find someone who could help you. I thought the book had a very satisfying ending that made me think a bit. Because if I had such an abusive family, I don't know what I would do either.

[Sariah · Rating 3 out of 5]

NOTE: I took this down from 4 stars to 3 stars. I was going for 3.5, but originally I rounded up and not down. After class, I changed my mind though (something I don't usually do). Round down is appropriate, I feel though. Here is why:

The most distracting, and constantly disorienting part of this book was not the content, but the flashback formatt of the book. Maybe I am just directionally challenged (not just with physical locations, but also book directions) but I had a hard time getting into this book for the first sixty pages. I could not figure out what “current time” was and what was in the past. In addition, I could not pin-point the characters or decide what the book was about. Only when Eric visited Sarah for what seemed like the 100th time at the psychiatric hospital, did I understand what was going on.

The best part of this book, for me, was the ending. Eric’s mother’s boyfriend really acted out of a place of love for Eric’s mother and Eric. That section touched my heart. I appreciated the twist element.

There were some really, really awful adults in this book (Mr. Brynes), but there were also some really, really amazing adults in this book (Mrs. Lermy and Carver). I really like reading YA books that highlight how impactful adults can be to young adults, instead of all of them being dumb and not living up to their expectations.

I felt like the book talked about a lot of issues that were difficult for adults to even talk about. There was DEFINITELY an agenda (thank you, Savannah, for pinpointing this word), but I appreciated how at least both sides were presented. Do I feel like the classroom discussions were long-winded and pointed at times? Yes. Do I feel like the book could have been more impactful if it had picked one issue and stuck with it? Yes. But do I also feel like it gets a pat on the back for trying? Sure.

In the end, I think the most important thing happened: Sarah Brynes got a happy ending, despite her awful lot in life. That was enough for me to give this book 3-4 stars.

[Hannah Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eric Calhoune is an overweight whale of a swimmer... so of course everyone knows him as "Moby."

Sarah Byrnes is outspoken, angry, and awesome, with burns on her face and her hands... so of course she insists that everyone call her by both her first and last name. Never just Sarah; always Sarah Byrnes. It's a pretty cruel coincidence that her surname is Byrnes, yes, but Sarah Byrnes embraces it as much as a person can be expected to.

It's a strange friendship, the one that exists between Moby and Sarah Byrnes--but it works because they're both outcasts.

It works for a while, anyway. Then Moby starts to slim down (swimming'll do that to you) and make additional friends and Sarah Byrnes is no longer the center of his universe. Plus, she has to be feeling some jealousy. Although he has to work hard at it, Moby CAN change his physical appearance. Sarah Byrnes cannot. And therein lies the problem.

Ultimately, STAYING FAT FOR SARAH BYRNES is a book about friendship and kindness. It's also surprisingly suspenseful. I mean, there's a scene toward the end of this book that, while I was reading it, literally made me jump. I've jumped while watching movies, sure, but this is the one and only time I have ever jumped while reading a book.

Do I recommend STAYING FAT FOR SARAH BYRNES? Absolutely.

------------
Update:

My students are currently reading this book (I just finished it today) in lit circles and it has been SO FUN to talk with them about some of the heavy issues this novel addresses. Plus, so many of them have taken the book home, read aloud excerpts to their parents, and encouraged their parents to read the book with them. It's been such an awesome experience; I love teaching and I love Chris Crutcher. It makes for a pretty great combo.

[Sandra Strange]

This book reinforces my objections to Chris Crutcher’s novels, since it had the same problems I saw in his earlier books. The plot concerns a fat boy who takes up swimming and his friend, whose face was badly burned in an accident when she was very young. The “villains” in the book are a stereotyped unjust and sadistic vice principal and a fundamentalist Christian swimming competitor who proves to be particularly hypocritical. My objections: spates of bad language, and the “politically correct” attitudes--all fundamentalist Christians are hypocritical morons who justify physical abuse of a child as a parent’s “right,” while good guys are priests who accept all standards and sexual orientations, teachers who entertain discussions of moral questions--as long as students are willing to accept immorality and abortion as justified, and parents who accept any kind of behavior as a child’s choice, with little real input. I’m sure that many people will think the book is ok, and Crutcher is a good storyteller who creates engaging characters and situations. I just don't like the themes and values in this novel.

[Cassie Sonnenberg · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is a slow starter, and at first, I thought it was going to be a pretty typical story of high school outcasts: the fat kid and the badly scarred girl who are best friends provide each other a sanctuary from the rest of the world. Midway through, though, the book gets into some pretty heady issues: suicide, abortion, religion, child abuse. The characters' experiences and the way Crutcher tells them definitely make the reader think -- especially the in=class argument about abortion and religion. From the halfway point to near the end, I was getting pretty satisfied with the book, but the ending dropped it back down to mediocre in my view. I won't spoil the ending, but I will say that it was too neat -- real-life problems aren't resolved that easily. It felt like Crutcher had written himself into a deep-issues hole and couldn't get out, so he just make quick and easy resolutions for the characters. I don't recommend this book; it wasn't terrible, but there are too many great books out there to waste time on mediocrity.

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished this novel and highly recommend it to parents and to teens who enjoy thoughtful, well written coming of age stories.

I like the way that Crutcher presents athletics. Most athletes spend the VAST majority of their time training and only a small percentage competing and a still smaller percentage winning the big event. Crutcher's writing realistically emphasizes the time spent training. In addition, the athletics aspect is always a sub-plot to another story that the reader can tell is the prime focus.

In this case the primary aspect of the story deals with child abuse and being friends with someone who is a victim of child abuse. As horrific as the events themselves are, they are somewhat buffered in this story by being told through the eyes of the best friend of the victim, rather than through the victim herself. That gives the events a perspective that the first person witness would not have. There are also side stories about religious fervor and forgiveness that make worthwhile reading.

Overall, this is a fast, easy, and worthwhile read. Kudos.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't let the weird cover scare you away--this was great.
I'd never read anything by this author before now, and I'm glad to see he's written several books. It was surprising to find out this one was written in 2003. It doesn't feel dated at all except for the absence of cell phones. And maybe the curiously derogatory word "adjusto"-I don't remember that ever being a thing. Otherwise, the kids could be from a book written this year.
I always like a YA book where the adults are more than just props, and there are some swell ones here--parents, teachers, and other cool grown-ups. They're not all great, which is the heart of this book's problem. The book deals with several hard issues, but the author does a fine job of navigating them. I loved that the characters changed over the course of the book. I loved that enemies could become friends, or at least friendly. Moby's voice was great. Despite the difficult subject matter, this was a quick, enjoyable read.

[Allie Bayer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fairly powerful little throwback read! I listened to the audio and I thought the narration was awesome. I loved the fact that this book highlighted a loving relationship between a teenage boy and a teenage girl with zero romance. I loved that. And there was a lot of heavy stuff packed into this seemingly goofy little novel! (Religion, self esteem, abuse, abandonment, disabilities, body image, abortion, PTSD, like….woah there was a lot in here!) But 95% of it felt realistic. Sarah’s story was heartbreaking; I could see SO many of my students in how both she and Eric behaved and acted because of their need to protect themselves.

[Mellarkey · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wish this could have been a required book in one of my classes. Then I would have had the pleasure of ripping it apart in front of an audience.

[Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t often read YA lit. It’s not because I revile the genre, but rather there is so much of it and I lack any sort of guide through the maze. That said, Staying Fat was on my school’s Contemporary Lit syllabus when I was in high school. I never took the class, so I never read the book, but I’d heard good life affirming things about it from some of the derelicts that did take the class, and that stuck with me.
As a teacher, I try to read some YA lit each summer, if only as a way to stay relevant and in touch with the kids. (I guess since The Hate U Give is getting so much press that ought to be next) Since this book touched so many of the vagrants of my own high school fifteen years ago, I figured it had to be worth something.

And it is! Crutcher has high school students explore deep issues, while affirming their own place in the world. Loyalty, bravery, and sacrifice are all explored by teen characters who have to work to figure out what these things mean for them. The characters matter and I feel like they would still connect to teens today (despite the book being 20 years old) because they’re funny, and they’re tough, and a reader will want to respect them.

This is good writing in the YA genre and I can’t wait to suggest it to kids in my reading class. Further, I may make it part of my summer reading curriculum.

5 Star YA.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well that was a heartbreaking story. I liked the whole concept and the writing was great, but certain things pulled me out and kept me from being too invested: the narrator has a very snappy, witty sense of humor and thinks and speaks in a unique way. That's great, but ALL the characters talked like that, which did not feel realistic at all. It was clearly just the author's writing style and I wished he had created different voices for the other characters. Also, some of the characters just seemed like cartoons and the events were a bit over the top. I couldn't picture certain parts happening in real life.

[Denise Westlake · Rating 4 out of 5]

I totally enjoyed this, my first Chris Crutcher book. His writing as "The Fat Boy" turned great swimmer, and even greater friend to Sarah Byrnes was spot on. Wonderful portrayal of true-to-life characters and concerns.

[Cameron Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I greatly enjoyed this book. While I wouldn't say it is "the best book I've ever read", it is enjoyable.

I'll start with the things I don't like. First off, the characters, while dynamic, are very predictable. I liked them, and the way they changed or showed who they really are through their actions. However, they can be very cliche and predictable at times. Also, this book pisses me off at some points. This might be simply because I'm a highly opinionated liberal, but I suppose it would be the same for conservatives. Eric, the protagonist, is in a class where they talk about racy topics, one of the main ones being abortion. And seeing the stupid arguments made from both sides makes me want to jump into the book and punch some of the characters. So if you are political, it will irritate you at some points.

Now, what I do like, is a lot more than what I don't. Although more simple. Firstly, the story is very realistic. I won't spoil anything about the end, but it is a happy ending. Mostly. And one aspect (Eric's mother's boyfriend) will give one of those "Hell yeah!" moments. Which was very pleasing. But throughout the book, however, the problems seem hard. Eric faces many real life paradoxes. Like the ever famous "friend needs help, but doesn't want help." So, again, it can be frustrating. But it's interesting to see realistic problems and how they unfold. Possibly taking some lessons for yourself.

The book is overall enjoyable and I personally found it hard to put down. I recommend it to anyone willing to read it, but especially young adults like myself. Very enjoyable. As usual with Chris Crutcher.

[Darcy · Rating 4 out of 5]

If anyone is looking for a new hero I think it should be Sarah Byrnes. She has had a tough life and does something drastic to avoid more horror! I loved how Eric stood by her and did what he could to help her, even when things started to get dicey. I also loved that when Eric realized he was in over his head he went to a respected adult for help and she was able to do what was right and help Sarah instead of following the rules.

The other drama in the book was interesting. At times it seemed over the top, a left wing bible beater kid seemingly perfect keeps butting heads with Eric and his friend, who is a preacher's kid. The class where a lot of this action takes place in brings up some very interesting topics that are hot buttons.

The adults in this book were interesting too. You have parents that were supportive, parents that are so not, teachers that were open minded, school officials that were so closed minded and seemed to cause more issues, and one adult that takes a very surprising action that will have you cheering for him.

[Cara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book covered a lot of ground.
- suicide
- abuse
- friendship
- abortion
- bullying
- family
- religion/beliefs

Almost all of the above issues were handled realistically and in a way that teens could relate to. Even though there were so many issues woven into the story, it never felt preachy or hokey.

The story itself is about Eric aka Moby and Sarah Byrnes. We get to see how their friendship got to where it is, and how Sarah ended up in the psych ward not saying a word to anyone. Watching Moby fight for Sarah, and grow as a person really made the story great for me. He is not a flawless character. I didn't love everything he did or said, but I don't always love everything I do or say either, and that was what made me like him so much.
Overall, I'm glad I had to read this book.

[Julie Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow.
I read this because another ELA teacher, grade 10 at another school, requires that her students read this. It was highly recommended by her years ago, and I found a copy and remembered. I wasn't hooked right away, and there was almost enough swimming/sport focus to ruin it, but there was enough drama to keep me interested. Eventually, there was no putting this down. We have intelligent male characters with great adult role models, much like John Green usually provides. Intelligent banter, intellectual discussions with inspiring teachers....this book was just right for this liberal who wants to live in a bubble. Serious issues were handled well, and it was genuinely exciting and thought-provoking. I highly recommend to "teens who care." Extremely satisfying.

[Say Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars.
Although this book gives off a John Green Vibe, the author cramps around five social issues into one book which makes the story a bit too far-fetched.
I really only started enjoying it after I reached the mid-point. And then the author took the liberty to give it a completely abrupt ending.

Sarah Byrnes' character will have you shedding tears for her and Moby is kind of like the friend you always wished you had in school.

The characters are closer to home and easy to relate to.
Worth reading if you're a misfit (I know I am) or have ever accused anyone else of being one.