Me and Earl and the Dying Girl
By Jesse Andrews
Overview of the Playlist
Song 1: Boulevard of Broken Dreams by Green Day
Greg at the beginning of the book tries to avoid making friends in school so he can avoid the chance of being judged or disliked due to his insecurities. His goal in high school is to avoid the chance of making friends as much as possible.
Song 2: I Don't Care If You're Contagious by Pierce the Veil
Greg's mom sits down with him and tells him that a girl he went to Hebrew school with, Rachel, was diagnosed with leukemia. Both Greg and his mom feel like he should go over and try to help cheer her up as much as possible even though Greg knows that the cancer might kill her.
Song 3: Lean on Me by Bill Withers
Feeling terrible for what Rachel is dealing with, Greg decides to become good friends with her to help give her comfort during this time of need. At first, the friendship starts off rocky due to Greg and Rachels past, but after some time Greg and Rachel (along with Greg's "coworker" Earl) become great friends.
Song 4: If I'm James Dean, You're Audrey Hepburn by Sleeping With Sirens
At the end of the book, Rachel dies from her cancer. Greg has a hard time coping with this and has to explain to the admissions board that the reason he failed many of his classes his first year of college is because of the grief he feels over this loss. This helps him come to the term that maybe the college he was attending wasn't right for him. He remembers Rachel telling him that he should apply for Film school. The friendship Greg had with Rachel helps him get over his fear of going out into the world and being himself.