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. Includes a discussion with Jesse Andrews and an annotated excerpt from the screenplay!

"Originally published in hardcover in 2012 by Amulet Books"--Title page verso. Movie tie-in. Includes an excerpt from the screenplay, along with thoughts from the author/screenwriter (13 pages), at the end of the book.