Use this activity to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

“Crispy Pork Rinds”

In this activity, students will use the underground newspaper created by Eric and Sarah to write an article about Sarah’s return to school and the events that occur after the novel’s conclusion.

Eric learns a significant lesson about compassion through his experiences with Mark in CAT class. Using Eric’s newfound outlook on the importance of compassion, create a new edition of the underground paper Crispy Pork Rinds. In the paper, include an article describing the events that occur after the novel. Within the article, address any unanswered questions about the novel. Consider these points as you write:

• How does Sarah feel about living with Ms. Lemry?
• How has Mark changed?
• Are Sarah and Eric closer than they were at the beginning of the novel?
• What happens to Mr. Mautz and Ms. Lemry?
• How can you maintain the style of Sarah and Eric’s underground paper?

Share your newspaper with peers, highlighting significant events that occur after the novel. Draw connections to specific passages from the text to support your response.

Teaching Suggestion: Consider asking students to analyze the quirky elements of Sarah and Eric’s newspaper to use in their new version of the paper. Students may find it beneficial to discuss Eric and Sarah’s evolving maturity to factor in what the two may discuss after the incidents that occur in the novel. For students who struggle with written expression, it could be helpful to have partners or small groups that work together on a single article. If small groups were permitted, it would be important to review expectations for small groups to ensure no individual was doing all the work.

Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay.

Differentiation Suggestion: For English learners or struggling writers, strategies that work well include graphic organizers, sentence frames or starters, group work, or oral responses.

Scaffolded Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the bulleted outlines below. Cite details from the text over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. The novel explores several instances where Sarah and Eric are bullied by peers.

• How do Eric and Sarah deal with bullies? (topic sentence)
• Explain how Sarah assists Eric in dealing with bullies, the coping mechanisms the two develop regarding bullies, and the ways the two stand up for themselves.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, explain whether you believe Sarah and Eric’s approach to bullies is healthy, or if there is a better approach to bullying.

2. Consider the growth that occurs for the main character in the novel.  

• Is Eric a dynamic or stagnant character? (topic sentence)
• Analyze Eric’s character at the beginning of the novel and at the end of the novel. Then explain whether or not Eric displays character growth because of the changes he experiences.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, describe the factors that contribute to Eric’s character growth or lack of character growth.

3. Eric describes swimming as being pivotal to the changes he sees in himself.

• How does Eric’s swim team participation assist him in the novel? (topic sentence)
• Describe three benefits that Eric derives from being on the swim team.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, explain what implications the book makes about the benefits of sports in general.

Full Essay Assignments

Student Prompt: Write a structured and well-developed essay. Include a thesis statement, at least three main points supported by textual details, and a conclusion.

1. The novel explores several parent-child relationships and how the families address conflict. Discuss different child-parent relationships in the novel, how they approach adversity, and whether the connection between the parent and child is strong. Use evidence from the novel to support your response.  

2. Consider Ms. Lemry’s classroom and the way the students interact in the classroom. In your response, analyze the novel’s depiction of a healthy classroom environment. What, according to the novel, do students need in order to have healthy debate and the freedom to learn? Support your response with quotes from the novel.

3. Eric and Sarah have a strained relationship at the beginning of the novel because of Eric’s new friends and interests. Incorporate multiple details to describe the evolution of Sarah and Eric’s friendship in the novel. Compare and contrast Eric’s friendship with Sarah with his friendship with Steve. Cite specific details from the text to provide evidence for your response.

Multiple Choice and Long Answer Questions create ideal opportunities for whole-text review, exams, or summative assessments.

Multiple Choice

1. What emotional support does Sarah offer Eric before he gains confidence at school? 

A) Purpose

B) Courage

C) Encouragement

D) Revenge

2. What is the significance of the novel’s title Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes?

A) Eric initially believes Sarah’s psychiatric condition is due to his recent sense of belonging at school.

B) Dale informs Eric that Eric is responsible for Sarah’s psychiatric hold because of their dwindling friendship.

C) Eric feels pressured to maintain his weight because he fears Sarah will no longer be friends with him.

D) Sarah is disinterested in her friendship with Eric because he has lost weight, and she feels he does not care for her.

3. Why does Eric’s relationship with Sarah change?

A) He gains confidence in his swimming abilities and befriends Steve Ellerby.

B) Sarah becomes distant because of her friendship with Dale.

C) Eric is preoccupied with his new relationship with Jody.

D) He no longer needs Sarah’s emotional support.

4. What changes occur in Mark’s character by the novel’s conclusion?

A) Mark decides to focus on a peaceful approach to debate.

B) Mark abandons his religious affiliations.

C) Mark’s beliefs become more flexible and tolerant.

D) Mark severs his friendship with Eric and leaves CAT class.

5. Based on events in the novel, what can the reader determine Mark is most insecure about?

A) Authority

B) Reputation

C) Intelligence

D) Physical appearance

6. What initially drives Eric to discover the truth about Sarah’s illness?

A) Curiosity

B) Pity

C) Duty

D) Guilt

7. What contributes to Eric’s growing confidence?

A) Improved relationships

B) Proficiency in sports

C) Improved grades

D) Jody

8. What are the primary differences between how the members of Ms. Lemry’s class approach difficult topics?

A) Some class members exhibit flexibility in their perspectives while others do not.

B) Aside from Mark, the members align themselves with Ms. Lemry’s perspective.

C) Those affiliated with religion agree on subjects others disagree with.

D) Some class members follow the rules of debate while others ignore them.

9. How does Mr. Brittian’s response to Mark’s attempted suicide mirror his son’s reaction to difficult problems?

A) Mr. Brittian and Mark overcomplicate their arguments because of their religious affiliations.

B) Neither Mark nor Mr. Brittian accuse others of contributing to their difficulties.

C) Mr. Brittian and Mark tend to oversimplify arguments and fail to accept responsibility for their actions.

D) Mark and Mr. Brittian depend on authority figures to resolve conflict in the classroom.

10. What statement best describes Eric’s and Sarah’s attitudes toward authority figures?

A) Eric and Sarah do not respect any authority figures.

B) The two believe authority figures are not to be trusted.

C) Eric and Sarah only respect authority figures in their own home.

D) The two believe authority figures must earn respect.

11. How does Eric’s relationship with Carter change throughout the novel?

A) Eric respects Carter’s willingness to become a stepfather to him.

B) Eric’s relationship with Carter remains stagnant throughout the novel.

C) Eric begins to appreciate Carter and views him as a role model.

D) Eric distrusts Carter’s stories about his childhood and dismisses his advice.

12. What is Eric most insecure about?

A) His shy personality

B) His physical appearance

C) His lack of identity

D) His inability to succeed

13. Who serves as a foil to Mark Brittian?

A) Steve Ellerby

B) Eric Calhoune

C) Sarah Byrnes

D) Virgil Byrnes

14. Which of the following is an example of a moral dilemma Eric faces?

A) Eric must decide if he should share Sarah’s secret.

B) Eric is instructed by Ms. Lemry to hide his relationship with Jody.

C) Eric wonders if he should have maintained his body weight for Sarah.

D) Eric creates an underground newspaper to mock Dale.

15. What statement best describes the relationship between Ms. Lemry and her students?

A) Ms. Lemry is not well-liked, because she creates conflict in her classroom.

B) Ms. Lemry forces students to broach sensitive topics, earning the students’ ire.

C) Ms. Lemry offers the students an environment free of conflict, making her well-liked.

D) Ms. Lemry is well respected because she listens and is not judgmental.

Long Answer

Compose a response of 2-3 sentences, incorporating textual details to support your response.

1. What is Sarah Byrnes’s motivation for refusing to speak? How does her past influence her decisions?

2. Consider the significance of physical appearance in Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes. What characters are most impacted by their physical appearance and how does it guide their conduct?