Unparalleled Friendship

 

Publisher’s Summary:  Sarah Byrnes and Eric have been friends for years. When they were children, his fat and her terrible scars made them both outcasts. Later, although swimming slimmed Eric, she stayed his closest friend.

Now Sarah Byrnes — the smartest, toughest person Eric has ever known — sits silent in a hospital. Eric must uncover the terrible secret she’s hiding, before its dark currents pull them both under.

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I had heard about his books for years, but never read word one of them since his writing was way above the age level that I teach. For the most part, I read mainly middle grade and YA books (at least during the school year). However, after reading about his support for an embattled teacher in Kentucky who offers his books in her reading workshop classroom as reading material (gasp), I decided to read one of them. I have always celebrated reading books of one’s own choice, and lead spirited discussions the last week in September in celebration of “Banned Books Week” in my own classes each year. I was even gifted a “Banned Books” bracelet from our school librarian. However, my interest in challenged books took an all time high this year when my teaching partner, the only other reading teacher on my grade level besides me, was asked not to continue her read aloud due to a parent’s concern. The book in question was THE GIVER (and so begins my censorship of my OPINION about said book removal)…

Apparently, I chose a perennial favorite. Many fellow readers told me that STAYING FAT FOR SARAH BYRNES was by far their favorite read out of all of his works. Not having read any other books by him, and knowing about the topics he chooses to write and about the stand he takes to defend not only his writing but all writing, the bar was set high. I was not disappointed.  The craftsmanship, the ideas, and the plot itself left me speechless. I would dearly love to read another book by Crutcher, but I fear that any of his others would pale in comparison. I cannot wait for my own oldest son to read this book. Like all great books that are challenged for “controversial” topics/language, he opens up many avenues of conversation that would otherwise remain closed. I would much rather discuss difficult topics with him like judging people, religious intolerance and abortion within the safe confines of our home after he reads/experiences them on the page, than tackle them in the REAL WORLD with no support from me or from authors like Crutcher. That is the beauty of the written word. We all learn and grow our spirits while safely reading a book. What a gift he has given to his readers. My fear is that the gift is never allowed to be unwrapped in many homes and communities.

Favorite passage: …”Because the other day when I saw how hard it was for Mobe to go to the hospital to see her, I was embarrassed that I didn’t know her better, that I ever laughed at one joke about her. I was embarrassed that I let some kid go to school with me for twelve years and turned my back on pain that must be unbearable. I was embarrassed that I haven’t found a way to include her somehow the way Mobe has.” (p.86)