The book that inspired the hit film Sundance U.S. Dramatic Audience Award Sundance Grand Jury Prize This is the funniest book you ll ever read about death. It is a universally acknowledged truth that high school sucks. But on the first day of his senior year Greg Gaines thinks he s figured it out. The answer to the basic existential question How is it possible to exist in a place that sucks so bad His strategy remain at the periphery at all times. Keep an insanely low profile. Make mediocre films with the one person who is even sort of his friend Earl. This plan works for exactly eight hours. Then Greg s mom forces him to become friends with a girl who has cancer. This brings about the destruction of Greg s entire life. Fiercely funny honest heartbreaking this is an unforgettable novel from a bright talent now also a film that critics are calling a touchstone for its generation and an instant classic. Includes a teaser chapter from Jesse Andrews new novel Munmun STARRED REVIEW One need only look at the chapter titles Let s Just Get This Embarrassing Chapter Out of the Way to know that this is one funny book. Booklist starred review STARRED REVIEW Though this novel begs inevitable thematic comparisons to John Greens The Fault in Our Stars 2011 it stands on its own in inventiveness humor and heart. Kirkus Reviews starred review New York Times bestseller Capitol Choices 2013 Noteworthy Titles for Children and Teens Cooperative Children s Book Center CCBC Choices 2013 list Young Adult Fiction YALSA 2013 Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers YALSA 2013 Best Fiction for Young Adults YALSA 2014 Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults show more