When Michael gets Alex, the kid who has AIDS, for a partner in the poetry writing contest, he finds out that Alex has a great idea for a mean poem about Mrs. Zanes, the playground supervisor. Michael points out that they might get in trouble, but Alex doesn"t think so. "I can write any poem I want because I"m sick," says Alex. With compassion and humor, this story shows how Alex comes to see that the way others treat him is mostly up to him. Full color.