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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was really good! It covers the known topic of "family issues." During the middle and end of the novel, it was so action packed! Eric Calhoune us one of the most loyal friends I've ever known about. Staying fat so you wouldn't lose a friendship? That's pretty cool! Sarah Byrnes is kind of annoying when she is trying to be all independent. One of my favorite parts is when Eric attempts to tell Sarah that she needs help and can't run away. Of course this attempt fails, but he does it in a very nice way. I wonder if the incident in Sarah Byrnes's past changed Sarah's personality. While I was reading the part when Sarah Byrnes's dad was being crazy, I was kind of freaking out too! This book is short read but an awesome one too!
I accidentally stole this book from my middle school librarian after she asked me to read it and give her my opinion. By the time I realized I still had the book I was no longer a student, so I never got the chance to tell her I hated it.
I did not expect the last quarter of the book to get into thriller territory, but I was on the edge of my seat. I also love how Crutcher finds so many different ways for his characters to step up. "Ain't it a trip where heroes come from," says Moby towards the end. Evil is there too, as well as some more nuanced messed-up-ness.
Side question: has there ever been a vice principal in literature who isn't a complete a-hole? Sometimes principals are cast in a positive light, but between Orbiting Jupiter's Mr. Canton and this book's Mr. Mautz, I'm reminded clearly of why we referred to one of the VPs in my middle school as "Vice Principal in Charge of Getting People in Trouble."
After seeing Chris Crutcher as a character in The Sledding Hill, I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that Moby has read Stotan!, one of Crutcher's earlier works.
There's a scene where an adult steps in and takes charge of a situation teens are trying to solve on their own. As an adult, I really loved that, although I can imagine kids might find it irritating or less inspiring. But seriously, the grownups are supposed to be helpful in a crisis. After a lifetime of being somewhere between neglected and abused, it hadn't occurred to Sarah Byrnes that she didn't have to save herself.
Side question: has there ever been a vice principal in literature who isn't a complete a-hole? Sometimes principals are cast in a positive light, but between Orbiting Jupiter's Mr. Canton and this book's Mr. Mautz, I'm reminded clearly of why we referred to one of the VPs in my middle school as "Vice Principal in Charge of Getting People in Trouble."
After seeing Chris Crutcher as a character in The Sledding Hill, I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that Moby has read Stotan!, one of Crutcher's earlier works.
There's a scene where an adult steps in and takes charge of a situation teens are trying to solve on their own. As an adult, I really loved that, although I can imagine kids might find it irritating or less inspiring. But seriously, the grownups are supposed to be helpful in a crisis. After a lifetime of being somewhere between neglected and abused, it hadn't occurred to Sarah Byrnes that she didn't have to save herself.
This book tackles, weight, abuse, depression, fitting in, abortion, popularity... everything in classic Chris Crutcher style.
I could not put this book down! In a disposable society as we live in, it was a huge treat to read about kids who stick around and help each other. Sure, they may tease along the way, but in the end, they are there for each other. This book has everything you need in a good book - someone to love (Eric, Aka Mobe) and someone to hate (Mr. Byrnes). A teacher to love (Lemry) and a teacher/assistant principal to hate (Mautz).
Sarah is more complicated. She was badly burned when she was young. As a result, she is a very angry person with survival instincts in social situations. Although she and Eric are friends, she really doesn't trust anyone.
Mark Brittain is complicated as well. He comes from a very strict religious home, so you don't know how much of how he thinks and acts is of his own doing compared to what has been shoved down his throat at home.
The book is given its title because Eric and Sarah have always been friends because he was fat and she was scarred. When he started working out a lot with the swim team, he ate a ton so that he would stay fat, thinking that was a necessary part of staying friends with Sarah.
Sarah is more complicated. She was badly burned when she was young. As a result, she is a very angry person with survival instincts in social situations. Although she and Eric are friends, she really doesn't trust anyone.
Mark Brittain is complicated as well. He comes from a very strict religious home, so you don't know how much of how he thinks and acts is of his own doing compared to what has been shoved down his throat at home.
The book is given its title because Eric and Sarah have always been friends because he was fat and she was scarred. When he started working out a lot with the swim team, he ate a ton so that he would stay fat, thinking that was a necessary part of staying friends with Sarah.
Slow in the beginning, but will have you crying at the end.