Many years ago, Greg and Rachel sort of dated. Greg was never really interested, but like everything else in his life, it just sort of happened to him. Now his mom is sending him to Rachel's house to hang out and keep her company, just because she's been diagnosed with leukemia. They don't fall in love. Greg doesn't learn Big Life Lessons. And this isn't Just Another Cancer Book. 
 I enjoyed this and I'll probably toss it into next year's booktalks, but it's not one that'll be tops on my list of YOU NEED TO READ THIS NOW.