Lisa
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl is a
first-person narrative of three classmates during their senior year of high
school. Greg is an awkward, self-deprecating loner who strives to be on low
key, good terms with everyone but is unwilling to become close to anyone. Although
he refers to him as his co-worker, Earl is Greg’s best friend who helps him
create parodies of classic films while challenging him to truly connect with
others. Rachel is a popular, though quirky, student who withdraws after being
diagnosed with leukemia. When Greg’s mother insists that he spend time with
Rachel, the classmates embark on a journey that neither of them signed-up for
and yet one that would be a turning point in their lives. As their friendship
develops and deepens, Rachel pushes Greg to let down his guard, recognize his
talents and plan for the future. Greg makes Rachel laugh and shares the
previously “unreleased” parodies which serve as an escape from her grueling
treatment regimen. As her disease progresses, Greg spends less time at school;
spending more time with Rachel while he and Earl struggle to produce a film
dedicated to her. Ultimately, Rachel loses her battle, but leaves behind
evidence of her own hidden talent, the impact of her friendship with Greg, and
a friend who has grown from “invisible, detached and self-hating” (Gomez-Rejon, 2015) to someone
that looks towards the future.
Virtually
everyone can relate to the themes in this poignant movie about family,
friendship and the fear of failure & rejection which is based on a novel by Jesse Andrews. Greg’s character is
authentic as he struggles with issues of self-confidence, vulnerability and the
frustration of not being able to change the circumstances that a friend or
loved one faces in their life. At times touching, at times funny, viewers will
be drawn into this story, rooting for Rachel’s recovery and Greg’s discovery of
his talents – and his feelings. The power of friendship transcends all
circumstances and all ages, but is especially evident during the formative high
school years. And yet the characters in this story reveal that a true
friendship is not always easy or smooth. It is a balance of supporting and
challenging each other to becoming the best possible version of ourselves &
open to all the possibilities that life has to offer. Readers and audiences in
middle school and above will appreciate this winner of the 2013 YALSA Best
Fiction for Young Adults and 2015 Sundance Grand Jury Prize.
Gomez-Rejon, A. (Director). (2015). Me & Earl &
the dying girl [Motion picture on DVD]. United States: Fox Searchlight.
Related websites:
http://www.jesseandrews.com/
http://www.cancer.net/navigating-cancer-care/teens/resources-teens
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