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Summary: The best book ever!
Review: I have never been a major fan of fiction novels; I have always loved and treasured historical documents and non-fiction books. I am a junior in a suburban high school. I am kind of a chunky kid, so this book related to a lot of problems that i dealt with when I was a child. My English 11 teacher read this book to our class, for our own personal benefit. I fell in love with this book. It even made a tear come to my eye, and I am not one who normally cries about much; I am a hockey player for goodness sakes. This book teaches many teens many life lessons that one must endure during their lifetime. I recommend this book to teens and adults alike!
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Summary: A good book to read
Review: I liked this book because of the action. It could use a little bit less with the curses though!It was compelling. but really creepy on page 175 and on. I would reccomend it to ages 14+
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Summary: A Truly Inspiring Book
Review: This is a fabulous, life changing novel. It grips you in the heart and is not quick to let go. Chris Crutcher deserves numerous awards for his portrayal of deeply hurt, yet humorous characters.This novel deals with delicate subjects; abuse and rejection. It would be hard to handle, but Crutcher writes with such subtle, and sometimes laughing-out-loud humor, that one can appreciate the full affect of the story and not walk away depressed. This is a story of people who conquer the odds and, despite all, come out on top. The nuances of the narrative are unbelievable; to get the full affect, I reread paragraphs numerous times. This is a fabulous for anybody who appreciates the differences in life and who is willing to stand up for the rights of the underspoken.
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Summary: Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes
Review: This was one of the best books I have ever read. It well adressed many issues that affect not only teens but our society such as domestic violence and abortion. I think that it portrayed teen and adolecent life very well and accurately and yet had much humor and was not too serious. Each character was an individual and it is very easy to connect with at least a piece of every one. I am giving it five stars because I not only enjoyed reading it the first time, but the fourth and fifth times as well.
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Summary: Friends Stick Together
Review: "Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes" is a book about what true friendship may be. Eric Calhoune and Sarah Byrnes stick side by side, no matter what in any situation. During their middle school years, Eric suffered from obesity and Sarah Byrnes had parts of her body that were burned "mysteriously" in an accident that no one knows about. "Moby", as Eric was called, turns out for the high school swim team and Sarah Byrnes is feeling left out. Soon enough, Sarah Byrnes starts going through some troubles and Moby is there to help her along the way. "Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes" is a story of courage, love, and friendship. Take the time to read the book and you will also enjoy it as much as I did.
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Summary: Not to be read with a closed mind.
Review: Maybe it's because I used to be one of those kids with the "terminal uglies" that I enjoyed this book so muchHad the book been written in a conservative Christian light rather than a liberal Christian light, upholding Brittain rather than the irreverent Moby and Ellerby, there would be no hollering about "agendas" -- it would be lauded as a good and moral book. Brittain snapped. That's what happens when a person is so unyielding that he won't bend with the stress. He survived, and he is learning flexibility. That's not anti-religion, that's reality. In Lemry's voice, Crutcher is essentially telling his audience that all ideas should be heard, and discussed fairly, *even if you don't agree with them*. Granted, there is such a thing as too much soapbox, and this certainly pushes it, but it *is* relevant to the story. The theme is about the hidden pain of others, and the effect it can have on everyone around -- and how it forces those kids to look at each other in a new light instead of living in their own self-centered worlds. The CAT class gives them the opportunity to do it in one neat little package for the sake of a relatively short book. The lengths to which Moby goes to help Sarah break free of her father is a far more powerful statement than any political meanderings.
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Summary: Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes
Review: Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes By: Chris Crutcher (New York: 1993) Staying fat for Sarah Byrnes is a love, mystery, and suspense-thrilling story. The first time I looked at the cover I knew it was a book that I just wanted to pick up and never put down. Sarah is a 16-year-old girl who is a smart, sweet girl. She was in a tremendous amount of pain and violence with her father. She was not in school too much because of this violence. She was in the hospital a lot of the time. Sarah cannot uncover the truth about what has happened to her in the past because it might catch up to her in the end. She stayed in the hospital for a long time. She was too afraid to leave. A best friend of hers is on the swim team. He ended up becoming the fattest boy in high school because of all of the problems Sarah and him were facing. Sarah will not speak to him or anybody. Does their friendship end? Only time will test these two young hearts of theirs. Read it till the end. Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes is a fun and thrilling story. If you want to know more about what will happen to Sarah and her father. Read it and find out.
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Summary: Don't let the slow start discourage you
Review: The first time i tried to read this book i had to stop after 30 pages because it was moving kind of slowly and there a a lot of flashbacks and it's unclear where you are for awhile (it was for me anyways). Then it was on my summer reading list so i decided to give it another try. I am so glad i stuck with it the second time. The book is really great. The friendship between Eric "Moby" and Sarah Byrnes is really touching. The characters are really realiztic and you get to know them so well and you really feel for them when they're going through tough times (which is a lot in the book). This book is definately worth a try (or a second chance:-))
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Summary: Crucher shows that sometimes helping a friend is hardest
Review: Eric, a young man who used to be extremly fat, befriends the scarred Sarah Byrnes. When he finds out that it wasn't a pot of spagetti that has scarred her for life, he is unsure whether or not to tell anyone, until her dad comes after her...
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Summary: EXCELLENT BOOK
Review: I loved this book. This was the first chris crutcher book i read, and is still my favorite (closely followed by Ironman). I had nightmares about mr Byrnes!. I especially liked the friendships between moby and ellory , and moby and sarah, and thought the way ellory realised how he had been as bad as everyone else by ignoring sarah was very touching. Ii wasnt that keen on jodie as i didnt feel she was a particularly realistic character, and althoung mark britain was over the top it was good to have such a character to dislike... i cant wait for the next chris crutcher book.
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