Blanche Sims

Alex is the new kid in school – and he also has AIDS. When school starts, no one includes Alex or wants to be around him. Alex plays video games in class and is never corrected. Michael sits next to Alex, and he finally begins to get to know Alex. The two of them are partnered to write a poem for a school contest, and they write about another teacher in the school. Michael is unsure if they are allowed to write about another teacher, but Alex says that he can write about whatever he wants to because he is sick. The teacher reads the poem and finally stands up to Alex, explaining that she has been too easy on him and that he needs to follow the rules like any other student in the class. Alex and Michael become closer and closer and have lots of fun together.
At the beginning, I did not really like this book. I got frustrated when the teacher gave Alex special treatment for things that were unnecessary. I understand Alex has AIDS and may need some accommodations, but that doesn’t mean he needs to play video games in class. However, I liked that in the end the teacher finally explained to Alex that he needed to follow the rules of the classroom just like any other student. I also liked that Michael took the time to get to know Michael. I was surprised that there was a picture book about a student with AIDS. Unfortunately, children do get this disease sometimes, so I appreciate that Linda Walvoord Girard took the time to create a children’s book about it.… (meer)

In this book, a little boy named Michael notices a new boy named Alex join his class. Alex has AIDS and everyone in the class knows this already and isolate him. Alex also keeps to himself and shows to break the rules in the classroom by reading comic books and playing video games. Michael and Alex slowly befriend each other though and it is shown how Alex uses his illness as an excuse on why he acts a certain way. Alex plays video games during class and writes a mean poem with Michael about a teacher, while saying “[I can do what] I want because I’m sick." Eventually, Alex experiences consequences for his actions and learns he can't get special treatment and disrespect others because of his illness. Alex and Michael end up rewriting their poem and even volunteering for their school carnival to turn this situation around. Alex and Michael end up sharing more great experiences together while learning from each other and growing as people. Overall, this book talks about the powerful subjects of AIDS and friendship and teaches its reader about both. It revealed facts about AIDS while also showing a viewpoint on how an illness like AIDS can take a toll on a child's personality and attitude. It shows the reader that even though you are going through something very hard, it is important to keep your authenticity and show kindness. I would read this story to my future students to inform them of this illness and to teach a lesson on being respectful and kind.… (meer)

Alex was the new kid in Michael's class. Alex thought he could do anything and get away with is because everyone knew he was sick. At first the teacher let it slip by but when Alex and his classmate Michael made a "supposed" to be funny poem about another one of the teachers, they both got in trouble. From then on Alex had the option to behave or not be in the class. Students try and take advantage or a teacher any chance they get. No I don't think it was right for Alex to try and take advantage but you have to nip things like that in the bud before the get started.… (meer)