Picture a Pittsburgh-born storyteller who turned awkward teen moments into literary gold—meet Jesse Andrews! With his New York Times bestselling novel Me and Earl and the Dying Girl, Andrews captured hearts with humor and heart, later adapting it into a Sundance-winning film. His witty, poignant stories about friendship, identity, and growing up have made him a standout in young adult fiction and Hollywood.
Andrews’s knack for blending levity with life’s heavier moments sets him apart. Whether he’s writing about jazz-loving teens or dystopian wealth gaps, his voice is fresh, funny, and deeply relatable. Let’s dive into the world of this novelist-screenwriter who’s reshaping how we see the messy beauty of youth.
The Making of Jesse Andrews
Born on September 15, 1982, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Jesse Andrews grew up in a Jewish family with a love for music and storytelling. A graduate of Schenley High School, he honed his jazz skills in his teens, an influence that later flavored his novels. After earning a degree in History of Art and Architecture from Harvard University in 2004, Andrews dabbled in music and odd jobs, including a stint in a comedy duo, The Young Dads, before finding his calling in writing. His early unpublished novels were, in his words, “flagrantly unpublishable,” but they paved the way for his breakout success.
Jesse Andrews’s Unforgettable Stories
Andrews burst onto the scene with Me and Earl and the Dying Girl (2012), a young adult novel about Greg Gaines, a socially awkward teen navigating high school and an unexpected friendship with a girl with cancer. Its raw humor and unflinching honesty earned it the Cybils Award for Young Adult Fiction and a Sundance Grand Jury Prize for its 2015 film adaptation, which Andrews scripted. Critics hailed it as “a touchstone for its generation.”
His follow-up, The Haters (2016), follows three teens on a chaotic road trip to chase their musical dreams. Inspired by Andrews’s own band experiences, it’s a love letter to music and misadventure, though its explicit content sparked some book bans. In 2018, Munmun offered a satirical take on wealth inequality, where physical size reflects riches—a bold, Douglas Adams-esque commentary on class. Andrews also co-wrote the screenplay for Pixar’s Luca (2021), bringing his signature warmth to a tale of sea-monster friendship.
Andrews’s style is conversational, often irreverent, with a knack for capturing the messy authenticity of youth. His themes—friendship, self-discovery, and resilience—resonate with readers who see themselves in his flawed, lovable characters. Whether through novels or screenplays, he finds humor in life’s toughest moments, making the ordinary feel extraordinary.
Why Jesse Andrews Matters
Jesse Andrews has carved a niche in young adult literature by tackling heavy topics with a light touch. His stories don’t shy away from life’s messiness—cancer, inequality, or the awkwardness of growing up—but they offer hope and laughter, too. His work in film, from Me and Earl to Luca, has brought these stories to wider audiences, cementing his influence in both literature and cinema. For teens and adults alike, Andrews’s tales are a reminder that even in chaos, there’s room for connection and growth.
About Jesse Andrews
- Born: September 15, 1982, Pittsburgh, PA
- Key Works: Me and Earl and the Dying Girl, The Haters, Munmun, Luca (screenplay)
- Awards: Cybils Award (2012), Sundance Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award (2015)
- Current Home: Berkeley, California
Snag Me and Earl and the Dying Girl or dive into The Haters for a road trip vibe—Jesse Andrews’s witty, heartfelt world is waiting for you!