Me and Earl and the Dying Girl
Andrews, Jesse
ISBN-13 978-1419701764
ISBN-10 1419701762
Publisher: Amulet Books, 2012
Genre: Realistic Dramatic Fiction
Reading Level: 820 Lexile
Interest Age: 14-17
Reader's Annotation:
Greg is a regular guy who tries to stay under the radar in high school. In his senior year, his friend Earl and a dying girl change his life, and reputation, forever.
Plot Summary:
Greg prides himself in not being past of any particular clique in high school. He has worked hard on being friendly with everyone but friends with no one. This has taken a lot of energy, but in his senior year, he feels he has accomplished the art of being incognito. He has one friend, Earl. Earl is the opposite of Greg and the two have bonded over making movies. They make them, but let no one see the. One day, Greg's mother comes to him with news that a girl he used to date has cancer. She forces him to cultivate a friendship with her for support. The two start to spend time together and creating a real friendship. Rachel accepts Greg's secrecy about his movies, and he starts to thoroughly care about her. What will happen when Greg decides to make a movie for Rachel?
Critical Evaluation:
Jesse Andrews has written a heartwarming book about the value of friendship. The voice of Greg creates a humor that keeps the reader laughing throughout the book. Greg writes the book in first person as he recounts his life and the making of Rachel's movie. When describing a particular event, the font changes and Andrews writes in a script format. Its like a movie is being played out for the reader. This was an interesting approach and brought the reader closer to Greg. His personality was obvious from the start of the book. Because of this, the reader is able to laugh, cry and get upset alongside Greg.
Andrews did a good job at building the plot before making it obvious what the book would be about. The characters were built and a full picture of Greg's interactions with Earl and Rachel was clear before the movie making began. This gave the reader time to become involved and care about each of the characters. They were characters people could relate to and maybe even know.
About the Author:
Jesse Andrews has lived in many places all over the world. He started his life in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and grew up there. He decided to go to Harvard University and became a writer and musician. He has lived in Berlin, Germany where he worked in a youth hostel. He has also lived in Spain and Massachusetts. Andrews is a screenwriter and has also written travel guides. He now lives in Brooklyn, New York.
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl is Andrews' first novel. He incorporated his screenwriting skills into the novel which gave it depth. His book has been translated into French, Dutch, and Finnish. There have been multiple editions published as well in Australia, New Zealand and Europe. There are to be editions in Italian and German in 2013.
http://jesseandrews.com
Curriculum Ties:
This book could be used to study character development and writing with a clear voice. Both of those elements are very well executed in this book.
Greg prides himself in not being past of any particular clique in high school. He has worked hard on being friendly with everyone but friends with no one. This has taken a lot of energy, but in his senior year, he feels he has accomplished the art of being incognito. He has one friend, Earl. Earl is the opposite of Greg and the two have bonded over making movies. They make them, but let no one see the. One day, Greg's mother comes to him with news that a girl he used to date has cancer. She forces him to cultivate a friendship with her for support. The two start to spend time together and creating a real friendship. Rachel accepts Greg's secrecy about his movies, and he starts to thoroughly care about her. What will happen when Greg decides to make a movie for Rachel?
Critical Evaluation:
Jesse Andrews has written a heartwarming book about the value of friendship. The voice of Greg creates a humor that keeps the reader laughing throughout the book. Greg writes the book in first person as he recounts his life and the making of Rachel's movie. When describing a particular event, the font changes and Andrews writes in a script format. Its like a movie is being played out for the reader. This was an interesting approach and brought the reader closer to Greg. His personality was obvious from the start of the book. Because of this, the reader is able to laugh, cry and get upset alongside Greg.
Andrews did a good job at building the plot before making it obvious what the book would be about. The characters were built and a full picture of Greg's interactions with Earl and Rachel was clear before the movie making began. This gave the reader time to become involved and care about each of the characters. They were characters people could relate to and maybe even know.
About the Author:
Jesse Andrews has lived in many places all over the world. He started his life in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and grew up there. He decided to go to Harvard University and became a writer and musician. He has lived in Berlin, Germany where he worked in a youth hostel. He has also lived in Spain and Massachusetts. Andrews is a screenwriter and has also written travel guides. He now lives in Brooklyn, New York.
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl is Andrews' first novel. He incorporated his screenwriting skills into the novel which gave it depth. His book has been translated into French, Dutch, and Finnish. There have been multiple editions published as well in Australia, New Zealand and Europe. There are to be editions in Italian and German in 2013.
http://jesseandrews.com
Curriculum Ties:
This book could be used to study character development and writing with a clear voice. Both of those elements are very well executed in this book.
Book Talking:
Make a movie
Challenging Issues:
If this book were to be challenged, I would go through the selection process with the challenger as well as explain the rationale for the book. There are many good qualities in this book that could be reason to have it in a collection.
Why Read this Book:
I read this book because it was recommended to me by a children's librarian I know. I devoured it quickly because of how well it was written and how entertaining the characters were. It deserves to be in this collection because it could appeal to many different ages, genders, and personalities. It is not a book for one audience. Adults and teens enjoy this book and I would recommend it to anyone.
Make a movie
Challenging Issues:
If this book were to be challenged, I would go through the selection process with the challenger as well as explain the rationale for the book. There are many good qualities in this book that could be reason to have it in a collection.
Why Read this Book:
I read this book because it was recommended to me by a children's librarian I know. I devoured it quickly because of how well it was written and how entertaining the characters were. It deserves to be in this collection because it could appeal to many different ages, genders, and personalities. It is not a book for one audience. Adults and teens enjoy this book and I would recommend it to anyone.
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