Staying Fat For Sarah Byrnes
Chapter 5
CHARACTER CHART
Name
Physical
Description and
page #
Jody Mueller
Character Traits with examples from
book and page # (Include at least 3)
Relation to
Eric Calhoune
Words to Know
Clandestine –
Foray –
Meticulously –
Insignia –
Singe –
Blaspheming –
Piousness –
Essential Question:
Directions: Answer the following questions in a complete paragraph (6-8 sentences). Explain
your answer thoroughly.
In this chapter, Chris Crutcher makes the statement that teenagers often think themselves
immortal therefore they cannot face emotional truths. Then, Ellerby tells the class that his subject
will not be religion, but will be shame. Do you think teens see themselves as immortal? Why or
why not? How do emotional truths and shame play a role in your life?
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Discussion Questions
1. Who does Sarah bring to Eric’s house? Why? Do you feel this was a good idea? Why or why
not?
2. How does Eric react to that situation (in question #1)? How does Sarah react?
3. Why was Dale Thornton wearing a turtleneck to school? What insight does this give us into
Dale’s personality? His home life?
4. Why doesn’t Eric let people “up close and personal with [his] emotional self”?
5. Who is Brittain’s girlfriend? How does Eric feel about her?
6. What is the one thing Lemry asks of her “CAT” students? Why do you feel it is important
she ask this of them?
7. What song does Ellerby play? What is his purpose (argument) in playing the song? Do you
agree with his argument? Why or why not?
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Chapter 6
Words to know
1. Smithery
2. Tactical
3. Analgesic
4. Svelte
5. Barrage
6. Reverence
Essential Questions
If you had a friendship built like Moby and Sarah Byrnes’s, but were able to escape the
emotional treachery someway, how would you “stay fat” for your best friend? In a paragraph,
explain what you’d do for your best friend and then tell was Eric does for Sarah.
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Discussion Questions
1. At the beginning of the chapter, who is visiting Sarah Byrnes (besides Eric)? How is this
person described? What do you believe is the purpose of this visit?
2. On whom does Dale want to write a story (for Crispy Pork Rinds)? Why? What is Sarah’s
reaction to this? Why?
3. What does Dale say that finally angers Sarah? Why do you believe she reacts this way?
4. In this chapter, we learn the story behind the title of this novel. What is it?
5. Why does Sarah believe she and Eric will not be friends anymore? Do you believe she wants
this to happen? Why or why not?
6. How does Eric “stay fat” for Sarah now? What does this tell us about Eric?
7. To whose house does Eric make Ellerby drive? Why is Ellerby apprehensive about this?
8. What surprises Eric about Dale’s “shop”? What does this tell us about Dale? What do you
think Eric expected of Dale’s “shop” and why?
9. What does Ellerby ask of Dale? What does this tell us about Ellerby?
10. What important questions does Eric ask Dale? What is Dale’s response? Do you believe
Dale? Why or why not?
11. Why do you believe Ellerby says, “I think guys like Dale Thornton don’t lie”? What is
Ellerby’s reason for believing what Dale has said? Why does Eric not want to believe?
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Chapter 7
Words to Know
1. Catatonia
2. Covetous
Discussion Questions
1. Why does Lemry have a problem with Brittain requesting to drop the class?
2. Cite an example of how Eric’s approach at getting Jody has changed. Then, how/why have
his feelings toward Jody changed?
3. What does Jody’s note to Eric say? Why do you feel she wrote this?
4. Why doesn’t Eric feel comfortable talking to Sarah about his love life? Do you feel this is
truly the reason? Why or why not?
5. What do we find out about Sarah’s “condition”? Why do you think she is doing this?
6. What punch line of what joke does Ellerby tell? What is his point?
7. Explain Ellerby’s relationship with his father. Do you feel it is disrespectful of Ellerby to
drive the “Christian Cruiser” when he father is a preacher? Explain.
8. What do we find out about Ellerby’s brother? Do you feel this has shaped his beliefs?
Explain.
9. What is Ellerby’s take on Brittain’s beliefs? What is your reaction to this?
10. Why does Eric think Dale is angry? What is Dale’s response? What does this tell us about
Dale?
11. Explain everything Dale reveals to Eric about Sarah. Why do you believe Sarah chose to tell
Dale these things instead of Eric?
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