Staying Fat For Sarah Byrnes Increasing Prior Knowledge

Staying Fat For Sarah Byrnes Increasing Prior Knowledge -Mr. Reetz English Concepts 9

Today’s Presentation… § § § About the Author Background information about the book The Setting Character descriptions Plot Summary Major Themes

Introducing Chris Crutcher § Taught primary and secondary school before beginning his writing career § Books generally feature teens coping with serious problems, including abusive parents, racial and religious prejudice, mental and physical disability, and poverty § Writing is noted for its wit and humor

Book background… § The book was published in 1993 § Recognized by the American Library Association as one of the “Best Books for Young Adults” § A school in New York once tried to have it banned because of controversial language and subject matter.

The Setting…Spokane, WA

Introducing the characters § § § Eric Calhoune Sarah Byrnes Ellerby Mark Brittain Virgil Byrnes Mr. Mautz

Eric Calhoune The Narrator and Protagonist § Eric is so fat that his nickname is Moby after the whale in Moby Dick § Eric is smart and a very good swimmer § Eric really has only two friends. He’s never belonged to the “in” crowd at school.

Sarah Byrnes § Had to grow up with severe burns on her face and hands § Extremely tough and intelligent 18 year old girl. § Her Mother left when she was young and she is afraid of her father § Sarah Byrnes is in a hospital psychiatric ward at the start of the book.

Ellerby Mark Brittain § Son of A Preacher Man § Drives the “Christian Cruiser” § 2 nd best swimmer on the team §One of Eric’s best friends § One of Eric and Ellerby’s many enemies § Devoutly religious § Also on the Swim Team § Dates Eric’s dream girl

Mr. Mautz Virgil Byrnes The Antagonist Overcome with bouts of anger resulting in the mental and physical abuse of his daughter Sarah. Virgil is capable of horrific things Principal at Eric’s School Attends church with Mark Brittain’s family Works against Eric and Sarah Byrnes

Summary of the Plot § The story shifts between Eric’s senior year in high school and previous experiences he’s had growing up with Sarah Byrnes § Eric Calhoune is best friends with Sarah Byrnes, who lives in constant fear of her father § Neither Sarah (burned face) nor Eric (overweight) have ever “fit in” at their school. They are outcasts. § Eric spends the entire duration of the book trying to save Sarah from her dad and her past by getting her to open up about what really happened to her.

Major Themes § The importance of living a quality life § The struggle for acceptance versus bracing the uniqueness of being different § The importance of free speech and free expression § The frightening experience of becoming a young adult