Plot Summary: Eric was fat in junior high, and as a result a social outcast. That suited him just fine as he always had Sarah Byrnes, a girl who had been horribly disfigured by an accident when she was three, and still bears the scars. Sarah's tough enough to take on all comers, and together they're doing okay. However, when high school rolls around and Eric takes up swimming, the pounds start to come off, but no one can fix Sarah's face. Eric is so worried about losing Sarah when he's not fat that he eats three times as much as he needs to, to stay fat and stay her friend. Eventually she learns what he's doing and they stay friends even though he's slimmed down. Then, one day at school, Sarah Byrnes just stops talking and is sent to mental facility to help her. While she's in there, Eric tries to figure out what's really going on with Sarah, while trying to stay on top of his own life too. And suddenly there's a girl . . .
Critical Evaluation: In this amazing narrative Crutcher teaches us all a thing or two about loyalty, friendship and bravery. Eric literally makes your heart break because he gives you hope that real people like Sarah Byrnes could have a friend like him. Eric, Sarah, and the rest of this cast, including the Christian bully, are memorable, amazing characters that draw the reader so completely into this story that you won't notice you're in public when you start bawling like a baby (or maybe that's just me). Chris Crutcher is at his endearing best and you feel the need to run out and help anyone you can or do just one thing to make the world a better place for all of the Sarah Byrnes' out there. Best of the best in Crutcher's stable in my opinion.
Reader's Annotation: It was easy when Eric was fat and Sarah Byrnes was, well, burned. But now Eric's in shape but Sarah Byrnes is still burned and life's getting complicated.
About the Author: Chris Crutcher was born in 1946 in Columbus, OH and grew up outside of Boise, ID. He received his BA from Eastern Washington University, and after earning his teaching credential went on to teach at risk students in Oakland, CA for a decade before returning to the Northwest to write his first novel.
Since then he has published 12 novels, and is among the most challenged authors in America. He lives in Spokane, WA and is a popular public speaker and columnists.
Information retreived from http://www.chriscrutcher.com/
Genre: Realistic Fiction, Coming of Age
Curriculum Ties: N/A
Booktalking Ideas: Silent pleas for help. Relationship between Sarah and Eric.
Reading Level: 12+
Interest Age: 14+
Challenge Issues: Graphic Content, Abuse, Violence, Attempted Suicide
Challenge Response: I would use Chris Crutcher's defense of his own titles and facts from pyschologists about the power of books like this.
Why is This Included: A beautiful book that deals with child abuse that could help teens.
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