Five years ago, Jeffrey's cancer went into remission, but left him with a bunch of side effects: a limp, concentration problems, an inability to do math. His best friend, Tad, is in a wheelchair and hoping to hit that magic five-year point himself. 8th grade is confusing and torturous at the best of times, but for Jeffrey--coping with his new girlfriend, Tad's sudden mood swings, his brother's year-long trip to Africa, and the knowledge that failing the standardized math test means repeating the 8th grade--it's unthinkable. But he really can't do math. 
 It's not a bullying book, but still a decent choice for 8th grade, I think--overcoming adversity, supporting one's friends, working hard, giving the people you love the space to be who they are. Lots of good messages without getting bogged down in the magical wisdom of the terminally ill.