Crutcher, C. (1993). Staying fat for Sarah Byrnes. New York, N.Y.: Greenwillow Books. Initially, when the story begins, a newspaper created by Eric and Sarah called, "Crispy Pork Rind,”  provides the reader with the assumption it would be a story dealing with weight or perhaps eating habits.  On the contrary, as the story begins to unfold, we learn about the relationship and family backgrounds of Eric and Sarah.  Sarah in a psychiatric hospital, though the reasons or contributors remain vague.  What is covered by a spaghetti story, is soon unveiled to be an ongoing abusive relationship by her father.  Eventually, the friendship that Eric and Sarah have, provided the strength needed to overcome this hardship and move past forward.  What I absolutely loved about this story is how each of them ultimately depended on each other’s company.  As the titles insinuates, “Staying fat for Sarah Byrnes,”  Eric is willing to do anything for Sarah.  Though she has become mute, the book reminisces on their good times and implies why he is willing to put his life at risk for her.  Criteria: The characters provided the essential elements that strengthened the story and the plot.  If the character had not been overweight, it would have changed the storyline.  The plot also provided a very suspenseful rise, climax and resolution that kept the reader intrigued to discover how the story would end.