Malcolm Maguire is an idealist. High school is fun. People are good. But his idealism is tested when Lionel Lemmons, a gay black kid, enrolls at all-white Clinton High. Malcolm soon learns how vicious prejudice is. He's a target because he gets too close to Lionel. But he hangs in there holding on to his friendship with Lionel.When they both enter the prestigious High School Art Competition, (first prize is something Malcolm wants more than anything in the world,) he is blindsided when Lionel wins. A Negro and a queer. Then Lionel is disqualified on a technicality and Malcolm's picture takes first prize. But who is the real winner? Why can't a Negro with an earring paint a prize-wining picture? It's Malcolm's greatest life lesson. There are painters better than he and some not as good. In a super act of fairness, he gives the prize money to Lionel and they rekindle their friendship. Malcolm has made a crack in the wall that separates the races.
