logo

47 pages 1 hour read

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2012

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Prologue-Chapter 2Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Prologue Summary: “A Note from Greg Gaines, Author of This Book”

The book opens with an author’s note from its author and narrator, 17-year-old Greg Gaines. Greg is a retired filmmaker struggling to write a book, having abandoned the film world after making what he refers to as the “Worst Film Ever Made.” He warns his readers that if they expect some thought-provoking, coming-of-age tale about friendship aborted by cancer, they will be disappointed by this book because he learned nothing. Greg does not guarantee readers will walk away entertained, or gain important life lessons, or even feel endeared to him in any way. All he offers is his version of a story, one Greg believes is not so well-told.

Chapter 1 Summary: “How It Is Possible to Exist in a Place That Sucks So Bad”

Greg is a senior at Benson High School which sits between an affluent and a non-affluent neighborhood, attracting students from a variety of backgrounds. The students, according to Greg, fall into one of several categories: rich kids, church kids, jocks, smart kids, theater kids, stoners, gangbangers, band kids, or gothy dorks. No group rules the school, resulting in daily chaos. On the topic of high school, Greg assumes that his readers share his belief that it “sucks” (5). To survive his high school experience, Greg develops a set of rules that allow him to gain access to all groups by not becoming friends with any of them.

blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
Unlock IconUnlock all 47 pages of this Study Guide

Plus, gain access to 8,550+ more expert-written Study Guides.

Including features:

+ Mobile App
+ Printable PDF
+ Literary AI Tools