Back in the city, Michael feels truly alone since Dad is always busy with his schooling and working on the dissertation for his PhD. Because Michael always seems to have a pencil and paper at hand and is very good at art, Dad suggests that Michael contact his old friend, Charlie, for individual art lessons. 

Michael decides to make a portrait of Grandpa for his art project at school. But he just can't seem to get the eyes right, even though Charlie works with him every week to improve his skills.  This is a very emotional story as Michael swings from denial to anger to sorrow and feels that the whole world is against him.  His math teacher hates him, and his best friends have distanced themselves from him.  Then Michael learns that his new friend and art mentor, Charlie, might be dying, too.

Cotton writes with great sensitivity about a difficult subject in a story with compelling characters and a well-developed plot.  The title, Fair Has Nothing To Do With It, is right on.  Life is not fair, but learning to cope with what life hands out is crucial to our children's mental health.  This book should be in every library and on your child's summer reading list.