Andrews, J. (2012). Me and Earl and the dying girl. NY: Harry N. Abrams. Greg Gaines is the protagonist in Me and Earl and the Dying Girl. In the novel, Greg and his friend, Earl Jackson, make films together. One day, Greg is informed that his childhood friend, Rachel Kushner, has been diagnosed with leukemia, and is encouraged by his long-time crush, Madison Hartner, to make a movie for Rachel. The novel ends with Rachel dying days after viewing her movie, while Earl decides to give up filmmaking and Greg decides to apply to a film school and wonders if he should put Rachel in his next film. I think the intended audience for Me and Earl and the Dying Girl might be for ages 13 and up. Recommendations for follow up reading include The Fault in Our Stars by John Green, We Were Liars by E. Lockhart, An Abundance of Katherines by John Green, and All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven. I believe Me and Earl and the Dying Girl meets the emotional developmental criteria because Greg must deal with the sudden discovery that his childhood friend, Rachel, has leukemia and the consequences that will come of this. Greg also becomes embarrassed when Earl shows Rachel’s movie to the entire school. I think Me and Earl and the Dying Girl also meets the social developmental criteria because Greg is not socially intact with his school peers, while only having one real friend, Earl. Also, Greg and Earl’s social bonding, filmmaking, is tested after Rachel dies. Earl gives up filmmaking while Greg continues to pursue it as his future.
