L. B. (blackeyedsusan) reviewed on 11/23/2008 + 22 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 5

This is my second Crutcher title. I read it because it was recommended and because my first reading of Crutcher was better than I expected; better because Im not big on sport novels. Whats great about Crutchers work is he uses sports in such a way the sports reader and non-athlete alike are caught up in the sports because we are caught up in the characters. In _Staying Fat for Sarah Bynes_, Eric, Moby tries to stay fat during his freshman year swimming because he cant stand the idea of losing his best friend, Sarah whose last name is synonymous with her disfigurement. She in turns threatens to beat the lard off him for being so lame-brained. These social misfits are connected and grow because of each other strengths. When Sarah goes into a catatonic state and is hospitalized, Eric is desperate to save her. The story is full of testosterone battles, a bully turned comrade, maniacal educator, the liberal teacher, brainy, hot mom and bible thumping teen as much at-risk and not-quite-fitting-in as our main characters. Crutcher gives us hope and resolution but he doesnt make it Disney. Sarahs mom who abandoned her doesnt save her, and Moby is hospitalized thanks to his friends crazy father. Through it all, they manage to stay buoyant in the turbulent waters (pun intended; couldn't resist). To learn how they navigate through their personal and shared troubles, youll have to read the book.

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