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.

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.

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

- Chris Crutcher, the author of Staying Fat For Sarah Byrnes, is also a well-known child and family therapist, which heavily influences the realistic portrayal of adolescent issues in his books.
- The novel received the American Library Association's Best Book for Young Adults award, highlighting its significant impact and relevance in young adult literature.
- Many of Chris Crutcher's books, including Staying Fat For Sarah Byrnes, frequently appear on the American Library Association's list of challenged and banned books due to their themes addressing controversial social issues.

**Eric Calhoune**  
The teenage narrator who, also known as Moby, navigates various conflicts while providing support to his friends and learning to see people more complexly.

**Steve Ellerby**  
Eric's best friend with a reflective faith that stands in contrast to others’ more dogmatic beliefs, influenced by personal loss in his family.

**Sarah Byrnes**  
Eric’s close friend who enters a crisis, pushing him to uncover her struggles and reinforcing the importance of standing up for oneself.

**Virgil Byrnes**  
Sarah's abusive father who serves as the main antagonist, posing threats to those who assist Sarah, particularly Eric.

**Eric’s Mom**  
A minor character known for her open and warm relationship with Eric, who is careful about what he shares in order to protect Sarah.

**Mr. Ellerby**  
Steve's father, a secondary character whose tolerant and flexible religious views stand in contrast to more rigid characters.

**Mark Brittian**  
A peer of Eric who faces a moral dilemma, struggling with the consequences of his actions and his loudly expressed beliefs.

**Mr. Brittian**  
Mark's father, who fails to support his son's mental health and instead shifts blame onto others during a family crisis.

**Jody Mueller**  
Eric's romantic interest, who faces her own moral challenges and becomes a catalyst in key events through her personal decisions.

**Dale Thornton**  
A former bully who earns Eric's trust and becomes a surprising ally, providing crucial information and assistance.

**Mr. Mautz**  
The vice principal who perceives Eric as a troublemaker and opposes more thoughtful explorations in the classroom setting.

**Ms. Lemry**  
Eric’s trusted teacher and swim coach who supports the students by encouraging them to question themselves and their beliefs.

**Carter Middleton**  
Eric’s mom’s boyfriend, who shares his own difficult past with Eric and ultimately becomes a figure of resilience and action.

Chris Crutcher

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Chapters 4-6

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Chapters 7-10

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Chapters 11-13	

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Chapters 14-16

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Chapters 17-19

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