Butter by Erin Jade Lange
ISBN: 978-1-599907-802
Lange, E. J. (2012). Butter. New York: Bloomsbury
Plot Summary
Butter is a 400lb teenager who has decided he wants to end his life. However, Butter’s not just going to quietly die, he is going to tape himself live as he eats himself to death. The creation of his website has unexpected consequences, as Butter becomes instantly popular the next day at school. Suddenly, the most popular students at school are including Butter in their activities and sitting with him at lunch. The website grows in popularity and bets are being made on what the final menu will be. Butter is delighting in his newfound friends, as his parents become increasingly concerned with his behavior. His only friend through all this is Anna, the girl he’s been talking to online, but who doesn’t know who he really is. At Butter’s doctor appointment he finds out he’s lost 14lbs, a new experience. He is pleasantly surprised, but asks his doctor if it’s possible to eat yourself to death. During the final month of his life, Butter compiles his list, including high levels of alcohol and strawberries (he’s highly allergic). Butter loses more weight, and realizes he enjoys having friends and a possible future. As the end creeps closer, Butter is not so sure he wants to die, but he can’t back out now.
Critical Evaluation
A unique and intense premise that covers hot topic issues of teenage obesity, cyberbullying, and suicide. One cannot help but like Butter, his sense of humor and saxophone playing. At the same time, it is difficult to understand how he became so heavy. His parents offer little support in the way of parenting, and it is left to Butter to figure out how to manage his weight. Nearly all characters seem to be under a cloud of haze where weight management is ignored. Butter’s solution is shocking, but for the exception of just a handful of people, accepted and encouraged. The notion of encouraging one to commit suicide might just be enough to force teens to take a second look at cyberbulling, and the very real consequences. Even as Butter begins to question his plan, he is determined to go through with it in order to fulfill the wishes of the popular students. The lack of communication between Butter and his parents is also alarming. The first-person narrative allows readers to go inside Butter’s head, but the internal dialogue is not quite as dramatic or traumatic as one would imagine. The last chapter is dramatic, real, and frightening. Suicide would be too tragic, while a complete recovery too easy. Instead, Lange leaves the decision open to Butter. His life has been saved by someone who really does care, but it is up to Butter to decide what he wants to do with it.
Reader’s Annotation
A 400lb teenager decides he is going to eat himself to death on New Year’s Eve, and record it live for his classmates.
About the Author
Butter is Erin Jade Lange’s first published novel. She wrote one novel previously and describes it as a ‘big mess’ but proved she could finish a book. Her second book, Dead Ends, is to be released later this year, and is about bullying.
Lange grew up an only child in northern Illinois near the Mississippi River. Growing up, Lange needed to entertain herself, and frequently turned to her imagination. She credits this time as leading her towards writing. Lange’s day job is as a journalist, but she enjoys her evenings writing fiction. The real-world issues she encounters as a journalist inspire her fiction writing for teenagers. When not writing, Lange likes trying snowboarding and playing guitar, though she’s not good at either, and planning her wedding. She now lives in Arizona, and cannot decide between deserts and rivers.
Genre
Realistic Fiction
Curriculum Ties
Bullying
Booktalking
Alcohol, pancakes, strawberries, and butter are on Butter’s last meal menu. What would be on yours?
Reading Level/Interest Level
RL: 6th grade
IL: 9th grade and up
Challenge Issues
Possible challenge issues include themes of suicide and bullying.
In my defense file, I would include the following:
1) Library Mission Statement
2) Library Selection Policy approved by any or all of the following individuals—principal, school board, district librarian OR library manager, city council, mayor.
3) Library Bill of Rights adapted from CSLA Bill of Rights, AASL Bill of Rights and/or ALA Bill of Rights
4) Reviews, both positive and critical, from respected sources such as School Library Journal, VOYA, Booklist
5) Rationale for book inclusion for titles anticipated to be controversial, frequently challenged, or created when a book is challenged including: summary, audience, purpose, controversial issues and how they are handled
6) How the book fits within Common Core Standards or State Standards
7) Reconsideration form for challenger to complete—include a section asking which part was of particular concern, if the entire book was read, and what other similar titles are suggested instead
8) Student reviews from those who have read the book and either enjoyed or disliked the book and why.
Why Included
I felt this was one of those controversial, but realistic teen fiction novels. It looks at high school relationships and online bullying, though in a different sense.
Others in the Series
N/A
References
Lange, E. J. (2013). Bio. Retrieved from http://erinlange.com/about/
ISBN: 978-1-599907-802
Lange, E. J. (2012). Butter. New York: Bloomsbury
Plot Summary
Butter is a 400lb teenager who has decided he wants to end his life. However, Butter’s not just going to quietly die, he is going to tape himself live as he eats himself to death. The creation of his website has unexpected consequences, as Butter becomes instantly popular the next day at school. Suddenly, the most popular students at school are including Butter in their activities and sitting with him at lunch. The website grows in popularity and bets are being made on what the final menu will be. Butter is delighting in his newfound friends, as his parents become increasingly concerned with his behavior. His only friend through all this is Anna, the girl he’s been talking to online, but who doesn’t know who he really is. At Butter’s doctor appointment he finds out he’s lost 14lbs, a new experience. He is pleasantly surprised, but asks his doctor if it’s possible to eat yourself to death. During the final month of his life, Butter compiles his list, including high levels of alcohol and strawberries (he’s highly allergic). Butter loses more weight, and realizes he enjoys having friends and a possible future. As the end creeps closer, Butter is not so sure he wants to die, but he can’t back out now.
Critical Evaluation
A unique and intense premise that covers hot topic issues of teenage obesity, cyberbullying, and suicide. One cannot help but like Butter, his sense of humor and saxophone playing. At the same time, it is difficult to understand how he became so heavy. His parents offer little support in the way of parenting, and it is left to Butter to figure out how to manage his weight. Nearly all characters seem to be under a cloud of haze where weight management is ignored. Butter’s solution is shocking, but for the exception of just a handful of people, accepted and encouraged. The notion of encouraging one to commit suicide might just be enough to force teens to take a second look at cyberbulling, and the very real consequences. Even as Butter begins to question his plan, he is determined to go through with it in order to fulfill the wishes of the popular students. The lack of communication between Butter and his parents is also alarming. The first-person narrative allows readers to go inside Butter’s head, but the internal dialogue is not quite as dramatic or traumatic as one would imagine. The last chapter is dramatic, real, and frightening. Suicide would be too tragic, while a complete recovery too easy. Instead, Lange leaves the decision open to Butter. His life has been saved by someone who really does care, but it is up to Butter to decide what he wants to do with it.
Reader’s Annotation
A 400lb teenager decides he is going to eat himself to death on New Year’s Eve, and record it live for his classmates.
About the Author
Butter is Erin Jade Lange’s first published novel. She wrote one novel previously and describes it as a ‘big mess’ but proved she could finish a book. Her second book, Dead Ends, is to be released later this year, and is about bullying.
Lange grew up an only child in northern Illinois near the Mississippi River. Growing up, Lange needed to entertain herself, and frequently turned to her imagination. She credits this time as leading her towards writing. Lange’s day job is as a journalist, but she enjoys her evenings writing fiction. The real-world issues she encounters as a journalist inspire her fiction writing for teenagers. When not writing, Lange likes trying snowboarding and playing guitar, though she’s not good at either, and planning her wedding. She now lives in Arizona, and cannot decide between deserts and rivers.
Genre
Realistic Fiction
Curriculum Ties
Bullying
Booktalking
Alcohol, pancakes, strawberries, and butter are on Butter’s last meal menu. What would be on yours?
Reading Level/Interest Level
RL: 6th grade
IL: 9th grade and up
Challenge Issues
Possible challenge issues include themes of suicide and bullying.
In my defense file, I would include the following:
1) Library Mission Statement
2) Library Selection Policy approved by any or all of the following individuals—principal, school board, district librarian OR library manager, city council, mayor.
3) Library Bill of Rights adapted from CSLA Bill of Rights, AASL Bill of Rights and/or ALA Bill of Rights
4) Reviews, both positive and critical, from respected sources such as School Library Journal, VOYA, Booklist
5) Rationale for book inclusion for titles anticipated to be controversial, frequently challenged, or created when a book is challenged including: summary, audience, purpose, controversial issues and how they are handled
6) How the book fits within Common Core Standards or State Standards
7) Reconsideration form for challenger to complete—include a section asking which part was of particular concern, if the entire book was read, and what other similar titles are suggested instead
8) Student reviews from those who have read the book and either enjoyed or disliked the book and why.
Why Included
I felt this was one of those controversial, but realistic teen fiction novels. It looks at high school relationships and online bullying, though in a different sense.
Others in the Series
N/A
References
Lange, E. J. (2013). Bio. Retrieved from http://erinlange.com/about/
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