Eric Calhoun, a.k.a. Mobe, loves swimming, Jody Mueller, and writing his underground newspaper with his best friend Sarah Byrnes. Sarah and Eric have found comfort in each other because each they have always been outcasts together: Eric for being overweight and Sarah for having severe burn scars on her face and hands. Sarah is now in a mental ward and has refused to speak with anyone, including Eric. As time continues Eric's swimming body has began to slim, but he chooses to eat so as to continue to have that bond with Sarah. His ultimate goal is to find out why Sarah has become catatonic before it is too late for her. As he searches, it comes to light that Sarah has been abused by her father, and that his abusive behavior gets worse and worse. She is hiding out in the hospital because she cannot go home to him. Eric turns to his teacher Ms. Lemry and his friend/ex-bully Dale in the hopes that they can save Sarah from her father. In the end, Ms. Lemry tries to take Sarah to her mother in Reno and Eric gets stabbed by Sarah's father because he is looking for her and is saved by Dale and Dale's father. Finally, Sarah's father is found out and is sentenced to serve time in prison and Sarah is adopted by Ms. Lemry and her husband in order to gain some the love she has always needed.
Chris Crutcher has always been a great story weaver. This is not only seen in this novel, but in his other novel Deadline where he discusses death and cancer in a young teen. Although his novels do discuss difficult topics and themes, Crutcher always provides information through example on resources a person can use should they find themselves in a similar situation. Please look for more Chris Crutcher novels at: http://www.chriscrutcher.com
I rate this book a 5 out of 5 stars!
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