Blog #2

Characters

Sarah Byrnes- Sarah Byrnes with the exception of Eric Calhoun was the main character in this book. As you’ve read earlier, Sarah Byrnes was burned when she was three years old by her father Mr. Byrnes. Although she is not very appeasing to the eye, she is extremely smart and talented. Since she has scars all over her face and hands she was destined to be picked on not only at school, but outside of it also. I admire her though because she does not let any rude comment or nasty remark get her down. She shrugs every comment about how ugly she is off her shoulders and does not waste another minute on it. Through out the book Sarah Byrnes takes rude remark after rude remark from Dale Thorton and I admire her for her self-confidence even though she is not pretty and never will be. She is incredibly tough and will not let anybody push her around or tell her what to do.

Eric Calhoune- Eric Calhoun used to be extremely overweight. One day, at a community pool the swim coach for the high school spotted him and got him to try out for the team. He did just that, and as soon as he started the team started shedding extra pounds like crazy. For about one or two years he at like two pigs just to prove his friendship to Sarah Byrnes- that he would not leave her. Eventually, she told him that he was killing himself and that he didn’t need to do that for her, so he lost the weight very fast. Now that Eric has lost his extra weight he has become more confident in himself. He speaks his mind whenever he can and stands up for what is right. Eric Calhoun seems like a very true friend.

Dale Thorton- Dale Thorton started out the book as having the view of a “big bully,” you could say. He was the largest kid in his grade because he could never seem to pass the eight grade, he was not the smartest. Although, through the story his character changes. He becomes known more as a good friend to Sarah Byrnes and a helper. It is surprising what Dale will do to help Sarah Byrnes so that she does not end up in a “crazy house,” as he calls it. He helps Eric through some problems and it seems like they could end up being friends.

Mrs. Lemry- was a teacher at Eric’s school and also his swim coach. She seemed like the type of teacher that you could tell anything to and she would keep it secret. She came across this was because Eric told her all about Sarah Byrnes and she kept it a secret. Also she would help with any problems you might have and you could go to her for advice. Mrs. Lemry gained my liking in the book right away just because she seemed like a superior teacher and all-around person.

Jody Mueller- she also played a role in the book. She started out being Mark Brittain’s girlfriend and kept everything inside. Everything that Brittain did, she did. It seemed like she relied on him too much. Although when she was with Brittain, she did not seem very happy. So, when we find out about her abortion I was very shocked. She has such strong views on it that I wish she would share them with everyone. After meeting Eric Calhoun, Jody tells Brittain that she does not want to go out. Jody goes to Eric and she tells him everything about her. Eric is surprised because he has never really seen this side of her and neither have the readers. I think because of how Jody opened up to Eric, it made him like her even more than he already did.