Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes

Eric Calhouon, an overweight teenager, maintains his friendship with Sarah Byrnes, a girl with severe facial scars from childhood burns, as they navigate high school together. When Sarah stops speaking and is hospitalized, Eric discovers dark secrets about her abusive home life and must find the courage to help her escape danger. The story explores themes of friendship, body image, domestic violence, and finding one's voice to stand up against injustice. This powerful novel tackles serious issues including child abuse, religious extremism, and the importance of speaking truth to power.