52 pages • 1 hour read
Staying Fat For Sarah Byrnes
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Book Brief
304
Novel • Fiction
Contemporary
1993
YA
14-18 years
Super Short Summary
In Staying Fat For Sarah Byrnes, Eric "Moby" Calhoune tries to help his friend Sarah Byrnes, who becomes catatonic and hospitalized. Both were once bonded by their outcast status, creating an underground paper targeting bullies. As Eric becomes busy with the swim team and starts losing weight, their relationship strains. He discovers Sarah's severe abuse by her father and helps her escape, while also navigating personal challenges and a new romance. The story includes depictions of child abuse and violence.
Emotional
Challenging
Contemplative
Heartwarming
Melancholic
Reviews & Readership
14,660 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes by Chris Crutcher is praised for its compelling storytelling and complex characters, handling mature themes like bullying and trauma adeptly. While some find the narrative gripping and thought-provoking, others critique it for occasional preachiness and predictability. Nonetheless, it is a powerful read that resonates with many, especially young adults.
Who Should Read Staying Fat For Sarah Byrnes?
Readers who enjoy realistic, emotionally driven young adult fiction will find Staying Fat For Sarah Byrnes by Chris Crutcher compelling. Fans of John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars and Stephen Chbosky’s The Perks of Being a Wallflower will appreciate its exploration of friendship, resilience, and the struggles of adolescence.
14,660 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
304
Novel • Fiction
Contemporary
1993
YA
14-18 years
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