Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews

Andrews, J. (2012). Me and Earl and the Dying Girl. New York: Amulet Books. ISBN 9781419701764

Plot Summary
Greg Gaines blends in to the background so well, that as a senior he has exactly one friend: Earl.  Greg likes this situation as he and Earl spend their time playing video games and experiencing the awkwardness that is high school.  Their favorite pastime is making, or rather re-making, movies by famous auteurs.  This single friend situation is changed when Greg's mom forces him to become friend's with Rebecca, who he has known a long time and who is dying of cancer.

Critical Evaluation 

The book is written from Greg's perspective, with him frequently addressing the reader telling them what they should expect or think.  Readers familiar with unreliable narrators may distrust him, but this confessional is more truthful than one may expect.  For a book with the words "dying girl" in the title, it is surprisingly unsentimental; Rachel is more a part of Greg's story than the focus.  Readers expecting The Fault in Our Stars-style revelations between their relationship will be let down, but one should not expect stories to be the same merely because there are similar elements.  Greg's story is wholly unique, and despite the dark title, very funny.

Reader's Annotation 

Greg Gaines has made an art of blending in an having only one friend, but when his mom demands he befriend the dying girl, its kind of hard to say no.

Author Information 

Jesse Andrews was born and raised in Pennsylvania, but since then he has traveled and lived all over the world, including San Sebastián, Spain; Berlin, Germany; Boston, MA; Brooklyn, NY; and Los Angeles, CA.  He graduated from Harvard and has worked as a screenwriter, musician, travel writer, and hostel receptionist in Germany.  The introduction on his website gives a little information and a little insight into his style:

"Hi. My name is Jesse Andrews. I am the author of Me and Earl and the Dying Girl. I am also a dog who can type. Specifically, a corgi. I am a corgi who can type intelligible prose. It's sort of incredible that this isn't a bigger story, but whatever. I can do without the publicity" (About me).

Genre 

Fiction, contemporary

Curriculum Ties 

Reading and Language Arts

Booktalking Ideas 

As Greg, brainstorm ideas for a new movie to film and how to go about it.

Reading Level/Interest Age 

This book scores a 850L on the Lexile Range and is suitable for ages 15-18.

Challenge Issues 

Coarse language, death, sexual language, and disease are all addressed.

If challenged, I would first suggest being familiar with the work in order to speak about it directly. Then, listen the challenger's complaint, show them to positive reviews, and refer to the collection policy, stating a need to include a variety of works that may not be suitable for all, but should contain something for everyone. As a last resort, turn to the ALA Bill of Rights or First Amendment defense, but try not to let things get there; listen and reassure the patron.

Reason Selected

This book is sort of the anti-The Fault in Our Stars, and while I loved that book, I feel that this one is a good inclusion to the library.

References 

Abour Me. (2012). Jesse Andrews is Napping Furtively. Retrieved May 5, 2013, from http://jesseandrews.com/bio