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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
Eric Callhoun, also known as Moby, spent most of his junior high and high school days as the fat kid. Although his participation on the swim team slims him down, his nickname sticks. Sarah Byrnes has been burned and disfigured by a childhood accident and is no stranger to being called names. Eric and Sarah Byrnes have been best friends since they were children and despite his lack of self-confidence, Eric has always been fiercely protective of Sarah Byrnes. Not that Sarah has ever needed protecting. She’s tough as nails and willing to take on anyone that comes her way. Knowing how smart and strong Sarah Byrnes is, Eric knows something big has occurred when she lands in a hospital, not saying a word. Through the saving grace of an incredibly kind and provocative teacher Eric finds the nerve to stand up for himself and find the answers to what is keeping Sarah Byrnes down.
I had a difficult time getting into the beginning of this book. In the first fifty pages, there are long passages describing Eric’s pool workouts and not a lot of action. These passages bored me and left me seeking action. I also felt like the narrative needed more backstory on Sarah Byrnes in order to get that plot line off the ground. It took a long time to get the story rolling and I nearly abandoned the book altogether after seventy pages. That being said, the book really picks up and turns into a compelling read after that. Eric is a fiercely loyal friend to Sarah Byrnes (I type her name out in full because that is the way she is referred to in the book) and he transforms from a willy-nilly wimp to a brave and confident man throughout the narrative. The friendship that Eric and Sarah Byrnes have is endearing and true. They stick up for each other when times are bad and ultimately save one another’s lives.
Although the book is well-written, some of the plausibility of the scenes is to be questioned. Mrs. Lemry is Eric’s teacher and swim coach and teaches a class called Contemporary American Thought in which the students basically debate hot-button topics in a discussion format. A lot of the topics were pretty controversial and I couldn’t see a high school teacher touching those issues in that manner in a classroom setting. There’s also a lot of interaction between the vice-principal and the students that seems questionable. The vice-principal in the story frequently has the students in his office and oversteps his boundaries in accusing them of wrongdoing. His conversations with the students seem awfully out of line for a school official without a student’s parent present.
Even with the plausibility in question, the book is really very good. Sarah Byrnes’ story is heartbreaking and Eric’s love for his best friend is touching. the book does an excellent job of showing how far out of one’s comfort zone someone can go when the wellbeing of the ones they love is on the line. The book grapples with some difficult questions and does an excellent job of presenting answers that young adults can relate to. After a rough start, I feel like the book redeemed itself and I ended up really enjoying it.
I had a difficult time getting into the beginning of this book. In the first fifty pages, there are long passages describing Eric’s pool workouts and not a lot of action. These passages bored me and left me seeking action. I also felt like the narrative needed more backstory on Sarah Byrnes in order to get that plot line off the ground. It took a long time to get the story rolling and I nearly abandoned the book altogether after seventy pages. That being said, the book really picks up and turns into a compelling read after that. Eric is a fiercely loyal friend to Sarah Byrnes (I type her name out in full because that is the way she is referred to in the book) and he transforms from a willy-nilly wimp to a brave and confident man throughout the narrative. The friendship that Eric and Sarah Byrnes have is endearing and true. They stick up for each other when times are bad and ultimately save one another’s lives.
Although the book is well-written, some of the plausibility of the scenes is to be questioned. Mrs. Lemry is Eric’s teacher and swim coach and teaches a class called Contemporary American Thought in which the students basically debate hot-button topics in a discussion format. A lot of the topics were pretty controversial and I couldn’t see a high school teacher touching those issues in that manner in a classroom setting. There’s also a lot of interaction between the vice-principal and the students that seems questionable. The vice-principal in the story frequently has the students in his office and oversteps his boundaries in accusing them of wrongdoing. His conversations with the students seem awfully out of line for a school official without a student’s parent present.
Even with the plausibility in question, the book is really very good. Sarah Byrnes’ story is heartbreaking and Eric’s love for his best friend is touching. the book does an excellent job of showing how far out of one’s comfort zone someone can go when the wellbeing of the ones they love is on the line. The book grapples with some difficult questions and does an excellent job of presenting answers that young adults can relate to. After a rough start, I feel like the book redeemed itself and I ended up really enjoying it.
A great book. Chris deals with hard issues fairly and clearly! Can't wait to read more of his books.
I see that the author, Chris Crutcher, worked as a family therapist and child protection specialist, and I think that experience comes through. He really knows his stuff when it comes to traumatized teens, and it makes the book work in ways it wouldn't in less skilled hands.
This is an engaging book that took some turns I wasn't expecting, and kept me on the edge of my seat throughout (not something I can frequently say about YA novels).
This is an engaging book that took some turns I wasn't expecting, and kept me on the edge of my seat throughout (not something I can frequently say about YA novels).
Graded By: Meghan
Cover Story: Brown Bag It!
BFF Charm: Yes
Swoonworthy Scale: 3
Talky Talk: In the Boys' Locker Room
Bonus Factors: Swimming, Friendship, Thinking
Relationship Status: My High School Boy BFF
Read the full book report here.
Cover Story: Brown Bag It!
BFF Charm: Yes
Swoonworthy Scale: 3
Talky Talk: In the Boys' Locker Room
Bonus Factors: Swimming, Friendship, Thinking
Relationship Status: My High School Boy BFF
Read the full book report here.
I was really captured by this book. There's a lot going on, and some of the plot points might have been kind of sensational, but there was so much good discussion of ideas--especially from a high school point of view--that I was really impressed.
This book was classic Crutcher: characters that grow strong and begin to outwardly express their integrity, and good triumphing (eventually) over evil.
Eric Calhoune and Sarah Byrnes bonded because they were misfits; he overweight, she horribly scarred from a childhood accident. Now a senior, Eric has lost weight as a result of his swim team practices, even though he tries to keep the weight on. When outspoken Sarah Byrnes sudden;y stops speaking and is sent to a psych ward, Eric is frantic with worry.
The backdrop to this friendship is Eric's conflict with Mark, a highly religious classmate. Their debates in class are absolutely priceless. And Crutcher (whose books are often banned) effectively uses the class discussions as a vehicle to get readers thinking about some serious issues.
Excellent character development and a fast-paced plot will keep you turning pages. And you will think about this book long after the last page.
The backdrop to this friendship is Eric's conflict with Mark, a highly religious classmate. Their debates in class are absolutely priceless. And Crutcher (whose books are often banned) effectively uses the class discussions as a vehicle to get readers thinking about some serious issues.
Excellent character development and a fast-paced plot will keep you turning pages. And you will think about this book long after the last page.
This was a very SLOW starting book for me, but it picked up for the last 100 pages.
it's a testament to Crutcher's down-to-earth style that, by the time you get to the end of the book and close it, you think to yourself, "Holy bajingle, that's a lot of crap to swallow in one book."
but you don't think it 'til the end. nice.
but you don't think it 'til the end. nice.
