Rating: 
Summary: More than breathtaking!!!
Review: This book has to be one of the best that I have read recently. It is mind boggleing till the end and it makes your mind think. How you find out the mysterious reason for Sarah's burns on her face and hands surprises you and comes up when you least expect it. I gave this book a five star rating because this book makes you realize how you really should treat your friends, with loyalty and respect. Make sure you read this book because I promise you, that you will love it!
Rating: 
Summary: One of the best I've read
Review: I have a copy of this book which I bought after continually checking out my teacher's copy--I wanted other people to have a chance to read it! I thought the plot was a bit odd, but it was still interesting and very captivating. It made my problems seem a lot smaller, which is a comforting thought!
Rating:
Summary: woo-hoo!
Review: I have to admit, when I first saw this book I thought it was going to be another badly written, melodramatic sports novel. Eventually, my curiosity and boredom got the better of me and I read it. By the time I had finished, I had realized how completely wrong I was. Unlike most "young-adult" literature, the characters aren't all gorgeous and popular, which makes them seem infinitely more realistic. Sarah, Moby, and Ellerby (3 of the major characters) are smart, funny, and not drips either, which tends to be rare in books written by adults about people their age. I think it's pretty cool that the author isn't afraid of swearing or making his characters sarcastic or cynical in places -- it makes the average "young adult" more able to relate. I noticed some people complaining that the fundamentalist Christian characters are a little too stereotyped. Maybe so, but I've actually met people like them a few times, so they don't seem so cartoonish to me. I recommend this book to all teenage misfits who are sick of the perfect people in most novels for people their age.
Rating:
Summary: Without doubt, a must read!
Review: No book has ever captivated me as much as this one. Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes is a fiction. yet realistic book written by Cris Crutener. The characters of this book are strong characters that contribute to the greatness of this book. Eric Calhoune, a senior, faces the task of helping close friend, Sarah Byrnes, who was burned in an accident. Sarah's dad, her problem, is not necesaraly someone you'd like to be friends with. Eric faces other small, bothersome problems. The biggest of them all, Mark Brittain, a fellow classmate who constantly lectures everyone on his strong catholic believes. The only thing Eric doesn't despise form Mark is his girlfriend, Jody Mueller Mrs. Lemry, a strong character, is Erics swimming coach and CATS teacher. Eric tries to help Sarah overcome a psycological problem, by visiting her at the psycological center. Soon, he finds out a dark secret Sarah has kept from everyone for a long time. He then becomes involved in a constant fight to keep Sarah safe. This book came to me when i wasn't sure if I still enjoyed reading. Lately, as a student i have not been able to choose the books I wanted to read, and wa not enjoying reading. Choosing this book was not easy. Mainly, I thought I was going to have to face another boring book. I was wrong. As I read the first pages, I found myself cought up in the plot. Without realizing it I finished, what was perhaps, one of the best books I ever read. It's true that this book involves the same kind of drama many books involve, but something about it is different. it has this special thing that seperates it from other books. You will not encounter a language that is boring or too elegant. The language is realistic and so real that young people will have no trouble reading and understanding it. The author has not avoided using bad words: there are plenty that give this book a realistic tough. The characters don't talk like stuffy old people, but like everyday people, making this book even better. This book is great and not a moment! boring, once started it can be diffiult to stop. This book is perhaps the best ever. The author has known how to write a funny, entertaining, realistic book. It doesn't fall in the same category as those books htat constantly repeat the same ending as they all lived happily ever after. Without doubt, this book is a 10!
Rating:
Summary: A hilariously heartbreaking trip to HS, even for adults!
Review: Labeling "Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes" a Young Adult title does it a bit of a disservice, since it can also be a nostalgic (and safe) trip back to high school for adults who felt like misfits--in short, nearly everyone! "Moby" is viciously well-crafted, a character who manages to share the pain he feels for his friend (and alter ego?) Sarah with the reader through the sharp and often wicked humor of one who has to laugh to keep from completely falling apart. Although the adults tend to be broadly drawn, "Moby's" mom is a gem, albeit one who could use a bit more polish (a character trait, not the author's flaw). Although I'm hardly a conservative, I did find the portrayals of the Christian kids too broad, on the other hand, Moby would be apt to paint them with the same broad stroke as Crutcher (as would most HS'ers). I've often thought this would make a fantastic movie, especially for the likes of John Hughes. Anyway, I'm 38 (I read it for a class in adolescent literature) and it has become one of my all time favorites. If you have a misfit HS'er, or you were one yourself (really, who didn't think they were?) don't miss this hilariously heartbreaking trip back to the emotional Tilt-A-Whirl that was life in the high school years!
Rating:
Summary: This book is outstanding and powerful.
Review: This book deals with decisions and conflicts of highschoolers.I highly recomend this book if you are pleasantly plump like me.
Rating:
Summary: Give me a second helping, please!
Review: "Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes," was great! Learning how to deal with those problems (teenage pregnancy, abuse, teasing...) are totally a part of a teen's life. Friendships are what count and if you're part of one that can handle the bumpy road--that's one to last. I suggest the reading be for more advanced readers because of the topic and the profanity. However, the topics raise stimulating questions about self-worth, respect, shame... Chris Crutcher's background with teens really shows of his understanding of their trials. It's a goood book, read it!
Rating:
Summary: What Do You Think When Your Friend Stops Talking?
Review: Chris Crutcher did a fantastic job entwining different aspects to the book. He brought controversial issues to mind and child abuse also. But through all the pain, he managed to slip in lots of clever humor. I was also able to thoroughly relate to Moby, being a hardcore liberal AND a swimmer/water polo player. The book's message is hard-hitting and the CAT class is genius (I wish my school offered it... but I suppose debate club will do ;) ). This book encapsulates the feelings and emotions of many of the outsiders in high school (i.e. "The Fat Kid" or "The Bully" etc.). This is the only novel I have read of Chris Crutcher's... and I definitely plan on reading more. I would recommend this book to any (relatively) mature reader because it brings forth many controversial topics, like abortion and religion. I do NOT recommend it to any conservatives or those who are very religious... it will simply put you into a bad mood.
Rating: 
Summary: Boring!
Review: This book was mainly about friendship. How close two kids were and where it brought them in life. It's about this girl Sarah who was burnt by her father when she was a little girl. Her best friend Eric does everything he can to help her. He even stays fat so she doesn't think he'll make new friends and leave her. When Eric finds out more secrets about Sarah's life he wants to help her with her problems. The author just dragged on about stupid things that were just mainly thrown in there to fill pages. The beginning of the book drags on and talks about Eric and how he's involved in swimming, and how he gets interested in this girl, and conflicts start to happen. The book seems like its supposed to focus on Sarah and her family. When really the book focuses on Eric and his life. I do not recommend this book. I think the book went really slow, and I found no interest in it at all. It was very boring. I think that the author could of did a better job maybe make the book a little more realistic and more exciting!
|
